For many young Filipino actors, working with Nora Aunor is more than just a “career goal”—it’s an opportunity to learn from one of the country’s greatest acting icons.
Aunor, a National Artist and widely regarded as the “Superstar,” has become a benchmark for emerging talent in the local film industry.
Bianca Umali, a member of the cast of Mananambal, shared her admiration for Aunor, calling every moment spent on set with the veteran actress a “masterclass.”
“I know I’m an actress, and if I’m fortunate enough, my goal is to become like Ms. Nora Aunor, who continues to act with remarkable skill and without losing her shine,” Umali said in the vernacular during the film’s press conference.
Other cast members expressed their respect for Aunor’s talent presence. Martin Escudero, who has previously worked with Aunor, praised her ability to command attention without effort.
“When Ate Guy is your scene partner, you don’t have to force anything. With just a look from Ms. Nora, you feel her presence, and that makes you act naturally,” Escudero said.
EA Guzman, who also shared the screen with Aunor, highlighted her ability to connect with her co-actors.
“It’s all about the give and take. When it’s her moment, she’ll share it with you. Even without saying it, she makes you feel it,” Guzman explained.
Kelvin Miranda and Jeric Gonzales, who also worked with Aunor, shared similar sentiments about her understated yet powerful acting.
Miranda noted how Aunor’s calm and composed presence made it easier for others to relate to her emotions.
“Her eyes shine even when you’re not in a scene, and that connection makes it easier to relate to her emotions,” he stated.
Gonzales echoed this, saying that Aunor’s acting was more about subtlety than exaggeration. “It’s her eyes, her soul. She told me to be natural and not overdo it, just act from the heart,” Gonzales said.
Mananambal centers on a group of content creators who travel to Siquijor in search of Lucia, a “mananambal,” or traditional healer, whose abilities have gone viral. Their quest leads them to Alma (played by Umali), Lucia’s daughter, who refuses to follow in her mother’s footsteps. Their attempts to manipulate Alma and force her to guide them to Lucia ultimately lead to betrayal and a tragic turn of events.
When the group returns to Manila, they begin experiencing horrifying events that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. The question arises: are they victims of a curse, or is there something more sinister at play? One thing becomes clear—the price of violating sacred boundaries can be deadly.
Aunor, for her part, said she chose to be part of Mananambal due to the film’s compelling story and strong production team. “Maganda ang istorya. Mababait rin ang mga tao sa production,” she said.
According to Mananambal director Adolf Alix, Jr., the film highlights Filipino culture and traditional healing practices. It has already garnered international attention, having been featured at the Jinseo Arigato International Film Festival in Japan in May 2024. Umali was awarded Best Dramatic Actress at the festival for her performance.
From Viva, Mananambal unpools on Feb. 19 in cinemas nationwide