“Not at all, pareho kami ni Jasmine Curtis Smith who played my daughter,” she says. “She also didn’t expect to win as best supporting actress. Ilang beses na kong nominated pero laging talo so hindi na ko nage-expect. Ang maganda nito, nakuha ang ‘Transit’ as official entry sa Busan Filmfest in Korea and our producer, Paul Soriano, told us na isasama niya raw kaming buong cast doon.”
And now, she has an entry in another filmfest, Maryo J. de los Reyes’ “Bamboo Flowers” in the FDCP All Masters Sineng Pambansa to be shown at all SM Cinemas from September 11 to 17. “I was in Israel filming ‘Transit’ nang tawagan ako ni Direk Maryo for this movie, filmed naman in Bohol. Inabot ako ng two weeks doon, pero okay lang kasi maganda naman ang Bohol. I play the tourist guide mother of Ruru Madrid. Tatay ko si Spanky Manikan na may sakit. Ruru wants to stop going to school to help me in our family expenses. I’m against it but he still goes to the city to work so nagka-conflict kami.”
How would she assess Ruru, a newcomer? “First time ko with him and he’s good, okay siya kasi very open, nakikinig. He handled all our dramatic scenes well.”
She’s thankful to GMA-7 for congratulating her on the air for her Cinemalaya win. “Nakakatuwang they give importance sa mga artista nila. I’m now seen with Lovi Poe in ‘Titser’ and I’m also in ‘Genesis’ with Dingdong Dantes.”
Irma is married to writer-director Dennis Marasigan. They’re now grandparents. Their eldest daughter (one of twins), Ira Patricia, who’s a singer, has given them a grandson and a granddaughter who now live with them after Ira split from their dad.
