Bracing start with Charo’s comeback bid

SANTOS. Returns to acting in “Ang Babaeng Humayo.

THE MONTH of June got off to a bright, bracing start for us last June 1, with the news that Charo Santos will be making “Ang Babaeng Humayo,” her long-awaited acting comeback for the big screen, an indie film to be megged by the acclaimed Lav Diaz.

The combination of exceptional actress and director makes for a potentially memorable viewing experience that all film buffs should make a mental note to patronize when it finally hits our cineplex screens—hopefully, before the year ends.

The last time we had an extended talk with Charo, we urged her to go back to acting because her insightful performances have been sorely missed.

Aside from clinching the Asian Film Awards’ best actress trophy for her performance in Mike de Leon’s “Itim,” Charo has topbilled other memorable productions like “Kakabakaba Ka Ba?,” “Brutal” and “Kisapmata.”

One of her last movies was Lino Brocka’s political drama and satire, “Gumapang Ka sa Lusak,” the late film master’s penultimate work. It was so good that, after it was shown, it took years before another Filipino film measured up to its achievement. We trust that Charo’s comeback film will be similarly exceptional and choice.

In a recent article, we expressed the fervent wish that producers would take advantage of currently reduced indie filmmaking costs to make movies showcasing our best actors and actresses in truly challenging roles that will bring out the very best in them.

It’s exciting to see our wish starting to be fulfilled with Charo’s comeback film. May other thespic greats’ indie showcases soon follow.

Speaking of thespic showcases, television programs have occasionally been providing them to this season. The latest on view on “Maalaala Mo Kaya” was a drama set in the Philippine south that topbilled the similarly comebacking Princess Punzalan.