BARBARA Miguel in “Nuwebe”
Barbara Miguel was on her way to school when her mom got the text informing them of the good news.
A Grade 3 student from Quezon City, Barbara won best actress at the Harlem International Film Festival, held in New York City last month, for portraying an incest victim in Joseph Israel Laban’s “Nuwebe.”
For playing the country’s youngest mother, Barbara could very well be the country’s youngest international best actress honoree—joining the ranks of screen legends Nora Aunor, Gina Pareño and Anita Linda, among others.
“I was so happy. This is actually my second time to win an award,” she told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.
Barbara earlier won best child actress from Famas for her work in Joel Lamangan’s indie film “Migrante.”
For all kids
“My Harlem best actress trophy is for all the kids who dream of making it in show biz. It’s not just for me; it’s for all Filipinos who want to do well abroad,” she quipped.
Her youth seemed irrelevant because Barbara spoke with the self-assurance of a seasoned pro at age 9.
Three years ago, she joined the biz, appearing in a string of GMA 7 programs: “Jillian: Namamasko Po,” “Ang Munting Heredera,” “Biritera” and “Aso ni San Roque,” among others.
Interestingly, she was discovered by the Kapuso network when she joined the “Sampolista” contest of the ABS-CBN noontime show “It’s Showtime.”
“Nilait ko si Vice Ganda (I berated Vice Ganda) in an acting showdown,” she recalled.
Since then she has been cast in a series of villainess roles.
“I often play kikay (flirty), funny or mean girls on TV. But in indie films, I get to play normal children; kids who cry often,” she related.
In “Nuwebe,” she had to tackle a role that’s much too complicated for her young mind to grasp—a girl who was impregnated by her own father. Her character was based on a real girl who eventually had to give up her baby to the Department of Social Welfare and Development, she said.
Her mother Renerich, who is also a talent in TV shows and movies, discussed the script with her. “My mom motivated me. She told me to imagine a sad situation … what if she left us … I would have to give up my two younger siblings for adoption because I couldn’t take care of them.”
Tears flowed effortlessly, she recounted.
Her director also guided her. “Direk Joseph helped me. He explained to me that my character hated her father. I later found out that she was a young mother. I didn’t know that could happen … I heard there were 8-year-old girls who had the same bad experience.”
Brilliant
“A lot of young actors can shed a tear on cue or throw a line perfectly,” Direk Joseph said. “But Barbara didn’t just play the part; she became the character. She is brilliant.”
Although the Cinemalaya film’s theme was harrowing, the shoot was light-hearted and exciting, she recounted.
“We spent a week and two days in Marinduque. We had time to go swimming. I even went night-swimming,” she said.
Just as enjoyable was the shoot in Bohol for her manager Maryo J. de los Reyes’ Sineng Pambansa entry, “Bamboo Flowers.”
“We spent almost a month in Bohol. My fellow child stars and I got to play on the beach as often as we wanted,” she related.
Although show biz is fun, she promises to heed her dad’s and teachers’ advice not to let fame go to her head.
“My parents are separated. After I won, I got to talk to my dad who lives in Davao. My dad congratulated me, but he reminded me not to neglect my studies. My teachers told me the same thing,” she acknowledged.
She plans to take up Fine Arts or Culinary Arts in college.
“I draw when I get bored … when my mom opens my schoolbag, it’s always full of my drawings,” she said.
(E-mail bayanisandiegojr@gmail.com)