MYRTLE Sarrosa and Luis Hontiveros are paired for the first time in the digital short film “Ngawa” which is one of the three winners in Lights Camera Magic (LCM), Star Magic’s first-ever video-making competition.
Speaking ahead of the LCM celebrity screening on Sunday, Hontiveros said doing “Ngawa” proved to be a challenge for both of them because it tackles a sensitive topic.
“Ayaw namin na mag-overstep kami kasi sa creativity talagang wild ideas. But sometimes, ‘yun nga, sabi ni direk kanina, kailangan matutunan muna ‘yung mga [dapat matutunan bago namin ito ginawa],” he said.
Directed by Victor Elijah Gador, who was mentored by “Eerie” and “Birdshot” filmmaker Mikhail Red, the film follows the story of Keeno (Hontiveros), who forces his girlfriend Sam (Sarrosa) to abort and bury their child after graduation day to pursue their plans in the future with just the two of them.
According to Sarrosa, their preparation process took them a while before they actually began filming.
“Nag-meet pa kami, nag-look test pa kami, tapos diniscuss namin ‘yung ano ba ang nangyayari sa isang babae who goes through abortion. Ano ba ‘yung thought process niya sa pagpili?” she said.
Still in celebration of Star Magic’s 27th anniversary, LCM is the talent management arm’s effort to tap the continuously growing digital content creation scene.
The other two short films which won in the first LCM are “Napaano Ka Arna” starring Pokwang and Zeus Collins, and “Viral Kids” headlined by Ashley Sarmiento, Josh de Guzman, Kenken Nuyad, Krystle Campos, Annika Cidro and Soliman Cruz. (ABS-CBN News)
