Marian Rivera as Teacher Emily for Cinemalaya 2024 film entry “Balota” | Image: Instagram/@marianrivera
Kapuso primetime queen Marian Rivera expressed her excitement as she showed off a deglamorized first look for her upcoming Cinemalaya 2024 film entry, “Balota.”
Rivera took to her Instagram broadcast channel to share a glimpse of her character, Teacher Emily. The actress looked utterly devastating, with bruises and stains on her teacher’s uniform that teased how the story might unfold.
“Sobrang ‘di ko maipaliwanag ang excitement ko sa project na ‘to! (I can’t express my excitement about this project). No filter, no makeup, no double!” she wrote, adding that fans should look forward to the film.
READ: ‘Balota’ director on Marian Rivera: She went to dark places for her character
Instagram/@marianrivera
Despite the unusual look of her character, Teacher Emily, from her previous all-glammed characters, fans still expressed their admiration for Rivera’s beauty and her versatility as an actress.
“Pero, bakit ang ganda mo pa din queen mariaaaaan!!” said one netizen.
“Wow! Grabe ganda pa din kahit basahan na ang damit ha3x winner panoorin ko yan,” wrote another.
“Lahat gagawin ng isang Marian. She’s versatile actress, Kaabang-abang ‘to!” pitched in one fan.
Coming from the success of her mainstream movie Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry “Rewind,” opposite her husband actor Dingdong Dantes, Rivera is set to grace the independent department as she headlined for the very first time a Cinemalaya entry through “Balota.”
In “Balota,” the Kapuso star will play the role of Emmy, a teacher who serves in the election. The plot thickens when violence in their town erupts, forcing Emmy to run into the wilderness with a ballot box, the last copy of the election results, to protect it no matter what it takes.
“Balota” is also set to mark the big-screen debut of content creators Sassa Gurl and Esnyr. It will also feature Will Ashley, Royce Cabrera, Raheel Bhyria, Nico Antonio, Donna Cariaga, Joel Saracho, Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan, Carlo Catu, Gardo Versoza, Mae Paner and Sue Prado.
The film is written and directed by award-winning filmmaker Kip Oebanda and will screen at the Cinemalaya Film Festival from Aug. 2 to 11.
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Rivera is currently starring in her teleserye comeback, “My Guardian Alien.”
