Mercedes Cabral in historical film

As versatility beckons, actress Mercedes Cabral isn’t disrobing this time as she’s fully clothed, donning a baro’t saya (dress and long skirt) in most of her scenes.

Mercedes is one of the main leads in the historical film “Ang Bangkay,” a 2012 Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature Full-Length Play Grand Winner. Instead of Nonilon Queaño’s theater piece of the same title which won in the One-Act Play Division in the same literary contest in 1979, it’s Vince Tañada’s original play that Cabral is starring in.

“Ang Bangkay” is a foray into the abyss that a family falls into after the death of its matriarch.

One of the factors why the major role landed in Mercedes’ lap, according to insiders of Philstagers Productions, is her flexibility in role playing.

“Mercedes plays Miding in the film,” said Vince who is also the producer, director and star of the movie.In many of Cabral’s scenes, she’s wearing a veil and a floor-length garb as a resident in a suburban town at the turn of the century.

Photo Caption:1. Mercedes Cabral (left) with co-stars in “Ang Bangkay”