On Tuesday, December 21, Rans Rifol despite being new to the industry, impressed director Carlo Francis Manatad and seasoned actress Charo Santos-Concio with her performance in the movie Kun Maupay Man it Panahon.
Rifol was not the first choice of Direk Manatad, but said that the young artist has the “rawness” and “spunk” to play the role.
“Ang pinaka-nagustuhan ko sa kanya is, this may sound cliche, pero yung pagka-raw niya tsaka yung spunk nung character niya,” said the director during the film’s virtual media conference.
Apart from her personality, Manatad added that Rifol was fluent in speaking Waray, which was the dialect used in the movie, making his job easier as he has no problem teaching it to her.
“On a basic level also, of all the auditionees who auditioned for the film, isa lang siya sa mga actresses na nag-audition na kapag pinag-Wawaray ko, tamang-tama yung intonation. So parang sabi ko sa sarili ko, aside from the rawness ng pag-perform, at least lessen akong mahihirapan sa pagturo sa dialect.”
The young talent, whose first project was alongside Kapamilya superstar Daniel Padilla and Ms. Charo, admitted how pressured she was.
“S’yempre sobrang pressured po ako since this is my first time ko. First film ko po talaga ito,” Rifol admitted.
But the director, though admitting that she was indeed nervous during the filming, pointed that Rifol was fearless whenever she’s in front of the camera.
“Pero once she’s in front of the camera, parang wala naman, parang hindi naman natatakot. Kaya I think she just have to let it out. Feeling ko the fact na nape-pressure siya, nilalaban niya. I’m really proud of that sa kanya,” he shared.
Ms. Charo also agreed with the filmmaker and even considered Rifol as the most suited person to play the role.
“Rans is very good in this film. You know Rans is Andrea, Andrea is Rans, perfect casting,” she lauded.
The former president of ABS-CBN Corporation then assured that the newbie has the support of the cast and crew of Kun Maupay Man it Panahon.
“Lahat kami ay nagsimula na kasama ang mga beterano, na nanginginig kami. I think we all went through the same experience. So alam namin ang pinagdadaanan. So we are here to support her.”
Meanwhile, Rifol was overwhelmed by what she heard from Manatad and Ms. Charo.
“Speechless pero ‘di ko alam kung ano ang tama o dapat kong sabihin. Pero super thankful ako na nagtiwala sila sa akin, sina Direk, at buong team. Grabe, nawawalan na po ako ng sasabihin pero ‘yon,” she expressed.
Kun Maupay Man it Panahon the winner of the Cinema e Gioventù Prize in the 74th Locarno Film Festival is also part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Catch its premiere in cinemas nationwide, December 25.
