THE SHOOTING OF VILMA SANTOS' first indie movie “Ekstra, The Bit Player” is going on smoothly. They just shot some location scenes in a sugar cane field where the teleserye in which she’s supposed to be a part of the cast of extras is being shot. She was exposed to the intense heat of the sun during the shoot but she didn’t complain at all. Previous to this, they shot the start of the movie in a house in Balic-Balic (supposed to be the house where she and her daughter live) and kibitzers in the crowded neighborhood understandably flocked to the set just to get a glimpse of her. Director Jeffrey Jeturian is very pleased with Ate Vi and the whole production. Everything is going on smoothly so they just might finish the shoot within their 10-day sked. Producer Atty. Joji Alonso is very much impressed with Ate Vi’s humility. “Maraming dapat matutuhan ang mga mas batang artista sa kanya,” she says. “In the scene where Cherie Gil will slap her repeatedly in the show they’re doing, I told her dadayain na lang and we’ll get a double for her, pero ayaw niyang pumayag. Talagang she did it herself kahit ilang beses siyang nasampal.”
“I’m really enjoying my role as an extra,” says Ate Vi. “It’s a big challenge for me kaya sa dami ng indie offers sa’kin, I chose this one. All my life, I’ve been working with extra at tribute ko ito sa kanila. Finally, naranasan ko na rin how to do an indie film and I’d like to thank Direk Jeffrey and our producer, Atty. Joji Alonzo, dahil they understand I can’t be a full time actress because of my work in Batangas kaya limited ang time ko. In between takes nga, I get calls from Batangas to inform me kung ano na mga nangyayari roon. Sana nga matapos kami on time dahil I still have to around Batangas before the election.”
What can she say about stories that the people at the Cannes International Filmfest are already waiting for a finished copy of “Ekstra”? “Naku, ayokong pag-isipan yang ganyan. Basta lahat kami, we’re doing our best for the movie. I don’t want to entertain thoughts na dadalhin ito sa festivals abroad. Bahala na si Lord what His will is going to be for this movie. It’s His call, not ours.”
