Newcomer Iana Bernardez bagged her very first acting trophy at the recently concluded Cinema One Originals Film Festival, and her actress-mother Angel Aquino couldn’t have been happier.
“I was very emotional when news reached me that Iana won. I was in tears because of overwhelming joy. I am just so proud of her!” Aquino told us. Bernardez won as Best Supporting Actress for her on-point performance in J.E. Tiglao’s Metamorphosis.
Bernardez spread her wings and focused on learning the ins and outs of film production right after she graduated from the Ateneo de Manila University. “I was really interested on becoming a good line producer, and to know the different facets of the filmmaking process. Acting just happened, I guess, and I just embraced it when it fell on my lap,” she shared.
She openly admits to being an accidental actor. “Oh yes, when I first forayed into acting and landed a major role in Dwein Baltazar’s Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus, there were a hundred and one questions in my head, not to mention that I was as nervous as any newcomer would be. I had no acting experience, zero, not even when I was in school. I was supposed to be in charge of casting for that film and then they asked me to audition and offered me the lead female role.”
In her heart, Bernardez wants to be a good film producer. “I want to be a good and kind and a fair producer. I am very fortunate that in just a few years, I have amassed work opportunities and have collaborated with wonderful filmmakers to have produced, such titles as Kiko Boksingero, Kuya Wes, Fuccbois, Oda sa Wala, Babae at Baril, Hospicio and Tia Madre for our local festivals. I am thankful for the roles that have been entrusted to me, and I remain excited for the roles that will be offered to me in the future. I guess I can try to become both a good producer and a good actor, with more experience, more training, more collaborations, more guidance from my mom and from experts in the industry that I have chosen to be part of and I have come to love so much.”
IN THE NAME OF THE MOTHER
Actress Sunshine Cruz and her three teenage daughters Angelina, Samantha and Chesca have recently signed a packaged endorsement contract with Em-Core Dotnet, a new direct marketing company that sells health, wellness and beauty products.
The three girls are so excited that just because of their being celebrity children and even without any proof of popularity yet, they were included in this wonderful business break. “I guess we have to thank our mom because she has remained fit and smart and beautiful at her age, that’s why the brand chose her and even included us,” remarked youngest daughter Chesca.
The three girls are using the surname Cruz and requested that it should never be a basis of any controversy. The father of the three is actor Cesar Montano, whose real surname—Manhilot—many feel is not a friendly-sounding surname for any one who has plans to pursue a career in advertising or the performance arts.
Sunshine shared that both Angelina and Samantha have dreams of becoming singers, just like many of the members of the Cruz family that started to become popular in the 1960s. “But I hope they prioritize school first,” she added.