Marife Necesito may possibly debut in 3 Cinemalaya films: TRANSIT by Hannah Espina, SIYAM by Joseph Israel Laban and PRIMERA BELLA by Richard S. Legaspi. Photo was taken during Cinemalaya auditions held last January 20. The actual fest will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 and will screen films not just at the CCP but also in Greenbelt and TRINOMA malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Actress Marife Necesito will be making her Cinemalaya debut the same year as Governor Vilma Santos. While Necesito may not be as high profile as the Star for All Seasons, she has made more international films like MAMMOTH by Lukas Moodyson and LILET NEVER HAPPENED by Jacco Groen.

Ate Vi will be the lead in Jefferey Jeturian’s EXTRAS in the Director’s showcase category. Marife on the other hand may be cast in no less than 3 Cinemalaya films: TRANSIT by Hannah Espia, SIYAM by Joseph Israel Laban and PRIMERA BELLA by Richard S. Legaspi.

The general auditions phase where all filmmakers are together to shortlist actors were recently concluded last July 20. Among the actors seen that day were Menggie Cobarubias, Aleera Montalla, Joe Gruta, Gerhard Acao and Arnold Reyes. Some are young TV personalities like Anne Curtis’ lovely younger sister Jasmine Curtis and Kylie Padilla.

The actual fest will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 and will screen films not just at the Cultural Center of the Phil but also in Greenbelt and TRINOMA malls.

From left: Arnold Reyes and Menggie Cobarubias in the crowded Cinemalaya auditions last July 20. The actual fest will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 and will screen films not just at the CCP but also in Greenbelt and TRINOMA malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Necesito believes Cinemalaya attracts talent, that’s why she’s excited to be in the fest, “Nagkikita ang mga magkakaibigan sa teatro, isa yon. Mamemeet mo yung  film maker na Pilipino na alam mong magiging future ng cinema sa Pilipinas. Masarap ka trabaho yung bagong film maker dahil fresh pa yung mind.”

TRANSIT by Hannah Espia has that international angle as well. News website Interaksyon reported the synopses of Cinemalaya films: Moises, a single dad working in Israel, must accompany his 4-year old son, Joshua, back to the Philippines. This is after the Israeli government declared that children of foreign workers will be deported.

PRIMERA BELLA written and Directed by Richard Soriano Legaspi is the story of a young man haunted by a tragic past. He tries to escape from his childhood memories and mend his ways. To do this he has to make up for all the wrongdoings he’s done for the sake of his one true love, Bella.

SIYAM by Joseph Israel Laban is inspired by the actual story of one of the youngest mothers in Philippine history, “Siyam” follows the story of Krista who at the tender age of 9 got pregnant from the sexual abuse perpetrated by her own father.

From left: Bernard Laxa, Marife Necesito and Gary Lim during Cinemalaya auditions held last January 20. The actual fest will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 and will screen films not just at the CCP but also in Greenbelt and TRINOMA malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

AMOR’Y MUERTE by Cesar Evangelista is set in the 16th century. “Amor Y Muerte” (which means “love and death”) is an examination of the initial encounter between the Indios (natives) and their colonizers (Spaniards) and their conflicting views on love, passion, religion, and sexuality.

Necesito has established herself in both international and local feature films. Her most memorable performance is in the film MAMMOTH (2009) by Swedish Filmmaker Lukas Moodyson. She played opposite Michelle Williams and Gael Garcia Bernal. She played Gloria the nanny who bonds with her ward Jackie (Sophie Nyweide). At the same time Gloria is unable to raise her own son Salvador (Jan Nicdao).

Last year she was in the Dutch film LILET NEVER HAPPENED by Jacco Groen. Locally she recently wrapped BETCHAY where she is in the title character by Archie Del Mundo. She also appeared in GRACELAND by Fil Am director Ron Morales. Cast mates Arnold Reyes, Menggie Cobarubias may also be in other Cinemalaya projects this year.

Marife was also in KA ORYANG by Sari Lluch Dalena where she was one of the victims of martial law. In PAGLAYA SA TANIKALA she co-starred with Mateo Guidicelli as St Jerome. Both films are from Cinema One.

from left: Lucky Mercado with PRIMA BELLA team Kristin Joy Bactad, Direk Richard Legaspi and Seymour Barros Sanchez during Cinemalaya auditions held last January 20. The actual fest will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 and will screen films not just at the CCP but also in Greenbelt and TRINOMA malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: Monitoring Committee members Darlene Malimas and Flor Salanga during Cinemalaya auditions held last January 20. The actual fest will run from July 26 to August 4, 2013 and will screen films not just at the CCP but also in Greenbelt and TRINOMA malls. Photo by Jude Bautista