Actress Marian Rivera couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude as her latest project, Balota, continued to receive support and praise from the Filipino audience.
Following its successful premiere at the 20th edition of Cinemalaya, Balota, a thought-provoking film that explores the power and responsibility of voting, made its way to local cinemas. Four weeks in theaters, the film is still going strong.
“I’m super happy because we didn’t expect to reach the fourth week. It’s very heartwarming because people have supported and continue to support Balota,” told Manila Standard Entertainment.
During an intimate press conference at Beso Beso on Tuesday, Nov. 11, Marian emphasized that the film’s success was not just measured in ticket sales, but also by how its message had resonated with the youth.
Weeks after its release, Balota sparked discussions on good citizenship, democracy, and elections among students and teachers alike. Marian expressed how proud she was that the film had sparked these vital conversations about the future of the youth.
“Maybe one of the best things about making a movie is that it makes people want to engage, to realize, or to anticipate what they want to convey to others. That’s what Balota wants,” the actress stated.
The Box Office Queen then highlighted that this was the main goal of Balota—to make a difference and have an impact on those who watched the film.
“It seems that people had a lot of realizations from the movie. And it’s heartwarming because a lot of the audience were really young people and students. I also want to thank the teachers who encourage their students to watch Balota,” she added.
The movie has also become a catalyst for discussion among students.
“Now, when they have discussions and talk about topics related to Balota, they say, ‘Oh, is this how it is? What will we do for the youth?’ It’s great that it has become a topic because that is really the reality of our world,” Marian continued.
For Marian, the emotional payoff comes from seeing young people engage with the film’s core message—that every vote matters. The film delves into the importance of making one’s vote count and the collective responsibility of shaping the future for the next generations.
Through the film, Marian also hoped to inspire the next generation to participate in elections and think critically about the power of their vote. She stressed that Balota serves as a wake-up call, urging the youth to take their right to vote seriously.
“Don’t waste your vote. As mentioned in the movie, if you think your one vote doesn’t matter, that’s not true. When we all vote, every vote counts. We all have rights, and we are all important,” she said.
She also stressed that the film was not just a project, but a call to action, noting that change is achievable when people unite for the greater good of the nation.
“That’s why Balota is probably a wake-up call for them to change this kind of system. We all help to make our country progress; we should all serve each other. Whatever we can contribute to our country, that’s what we should all do,” she stated.
As the conversation around Balota continues, Marian shared that she is ready to take on more roles that challenge her acting skills and perspectives.
“If the audience has considered Balota a wake-up call, this is also my wake-up call to create more great films,” Marian added.
