MANILA, Philippines — Liway is Glaiza de Castro’s most political film — and character. It has allowed her to get into the innermost thoughts of a commander and political detainee braving the Martial Law milieu.
“Honestly, when I learned that I was (tapped to do it), I had hesitation for it was such a delicate subject to handle and discuss, and especially I didn’t grow up at that time,” said the actress in an interview with The STAR. “I had no idea. If ever there was any, it was solely based on what I heard from my tito and tita or from people who experienced (living at that time). Wala akong basehan ng truth.”
On the small and big screens, she is seen doing bida-contravida roles set in melodrama exploring the mundane. That’s why Liway was a breather and she easily gravitated to the character. “My only basis was the movie itself, which was based on a true story,” shared Glaiza on how she created her character with the guidance of director Kip Oebanda. “Ito yung tipong mag-fo-focus na lang ako sa experiences ng character.”
To deliver a nuanced performance, she was fortunate to have met Liway (Cecilia Flores-Oebanda, the director’s mother) in the flesh, giving herself a good grip on the person she would portray. “She was there to provide me first-hand information. It was different when the story was told to you (straight from the source) and I was looking at her, nagiging sariwa yung experiences niya bigla, tinitignan mo siya, pinakikinggan mo siya. It seemed that there was (some) energy being transferred to me. It was a big help.”
Liway joined them on the set and was present for half of the total shooting days. Although Glaiza is always seen as an actor, more than a celebrity, she considers Liway as another step to that end goal. “(The character) has left me (the impression) or has sealed that this should be the type of movies I will want to do,” she said. “Now I have a clearer vision of myself or where I want to go as an actor.” This shows maturity on Glaiza, the actress who will be mindful of the purpose behind her projects and their effects on the public. “We shot for nine days. We had a (shooting) on a mountain for some (gun)fighting scenes. Good thing she was there. I held the gun the way I had envisioned (myself in that scene). She would correct me in handling the gun. Kailangan mas mababa pa. She demonstrated it to me. Napatulala ako nung ginawa niya... She demonstrated how to duck with a gun and how to move.”
Asked about the image of a Filipina that the film portrays and strengthens, Glaiza had this to say: “Tibay ng loob talaga (A woman with inner strength). I have realized that it’s the strongest weapon of women, na kagaya ni Liway. When you look at her experiences, she could easily give up. Pwede niyang sabihin na, ‘Ayoko nang ipanganak ang batang ito.’ ‘Ayoko ng mabuhay.’ ‘Ikulong ninyo na lang ako,’ yung ganun. Sometimes no matter how tough the situation is or (no matter how tough) things that we experience are, our (inner) strength (tibay ng loob) helps us overcome them.”
Thus, Liway reminds that activism is not gender specific. Everyone can generously respond to its call at an opportune time. “Ang pagiging aktibista din ay hindi nadadaan sa pamimisikal, pagwewelga,” she said. “Pwede rin (itong) maidaan sa pag-arte, pwede siyang idaan sa music, sa kahit na anong forms na kapag mayroon kang mararamdaman sa sarili mo na dapat ay ganito o may gusto kang i-share na mensahe sa kanila. Gamitin mo yung strength mo o yung skills na mayroon ka para i-share yun sa tao.”
Knowing where she is good at, acting is Glaiza’s medium to put across messages like of patriotism that many might forget.
A 2018 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festivcal entry, Liway will begin its commercial run starting Oct. 10. It is produced by VY/AC Productions and Exquisite Ventures.