Angelica, Angel eye surprise win at MMFF

ANGELICA Panganiban: “Naniniwala kaming may himala.”

For many film critics, Nora Aunor is the no-brainer front-runner for the best actress award in the coming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for her exceptional performance in Brillante Mendoza’s “Thy Womb.”

In fact, the Superstar had already won two international acting trophies: the Bisato d’Oro award at the Venice Film Festival, and the best actress award at the recent Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

Is there any chance for other actresses in the film fest to pull off a surprise upset? Well, actresses Angelica Panganiban and Angel Locsin, lead stars of Star Cinema’s “One More Try,” believe—or rather, hope—that they have a fighting chance against Ate Guy.

Angelica drew a couple of laughs from the press during a recent media gathering with her swift and witty response: “Naniniwala kaming may himala (We believe in miracles)!”

But, in all seriousness, the 26-year-old actress said that the possibility of being nominated in the same category as Ate Guy will already be a tremendous honor.

ANGEL Locsin: “We all worked hard in this project.”

“She’s been an actress for such a long time. She’s the Superstar, after all,” Angelica said.

Angel, on the other hand, said that never in her wildest dreams did she think about competing or defeating Ate Guy for an acting award. “I’m actually shaking just talking about it,” she, said laughing. “We all respect Ate Guy.”

While Ate Guy’s brilliance can’t be denied, Angel pointed out that she and her costars couldn’t just put themselves down, especially with the effort they put in doing the movie. “We all worked hard in this project. I can say that Angelica was superb. At ’di rin naman ako nagpatalo (And I also gave my best),” she said.

“For newer artists like us, wishing [to win] is something natural. And you can’t take away that from us,” she said. “I’m sure whoever wins will be truly deserving.”

She’s also thankful to their movie’s director, Ruel S. Bayani, for believing in her and Angelica’s capabilities as actresses.

Asked about his muses’ chance of winning, Bayani said, without batting an eyelash: “Yes! May laban sila (They have a fighting chance)!”

He said in jest: “We know that they’re up against Ate Guy so I told them, ‘Itodo niyo na (Give your all)! Ate Guy won’t be baring skin in her film!”

Also featuring Zanjoe Marudo and Kapuso star Dingdong Dantes, “One More Try” tells the story of Grace (Angel), a single mom who will do anything to save her ailing son who’s in dire need of a bone marrow transplant. Turns out, the only way to have a perfect match is to have another child with his ex-boyfriend Edward (Dingdong), who’s now married to Jacqueline (Angelica).

“One More Try” hits theaters on Dec. 25.