By: Nestor U. Torre
Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 28, 2012 | 12:42 am
When people ask me if I’m a Noranian or a Vilmanian, my
answer invariably is: “Both. —I have no principles.” That throws them for a
loop—and some of them get really ticked off when I add: “By the way, I’m a
‘Hildanian,’ too!”
Well, it’s true. Having worked in the movies with Nora
Aunor, Vilma Santos and Hilda Koronel, I’ve come to admire and value their
talents and (some of) their personal qualities, as well. —Hence my
“triangulated” appreciation for all three of them and their key contributions
to thespic excellence in these parts.
These thoughts come to mind today, because I’ve just heard
that, after a long absence, the now US-based Hilda has come home to play a
meaty role in a Bea Alonzo-John Lloyd Cruz starrer for Star Cinema. I’ve missed
Hilda so much that it’s like Christmas in July-August for me. I couldn’t be
happier!
What accounts for my great delight? I’ve seen and savored
all of Hilda’s film, TV
and stage portrayals through the years, and I’m tickled pink
that she’ll be adding another hopefully exceptional portrayal to her
filmography!
Presence
I also hope that other show biz people get as excited as I
am over Hilda’s unexpected presence in our midst that they will offer her many
enticing reasons to stretch her “working holiday” here for some more
months—better if it’s forever.
My movie memories are full of fine portrayals by Hilda: Her
“introducing” performance in Lino Brocka’s “Santiago,” the “Hellow, Soldier”
episode in Brocka’s anthology film, “Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa,” “Insiang,” “Kung
Mangarap Ka’t Magising,” etc.! Aside from Hilda’s exceptional talent, I also
admire her intelligence, beauty, emotional honesty, spirit and guts! She always
told it like it was, no sugar-coating allowed, and I appreciated her honesty in
an industry full of denizens who were past masters at the crafty art of
double-, triple- and sextuple-speak!
The unexpected gift of Hilda’s return has also made me hope
that our TV-movie producers can entice other semiretired acting greats to grace
our silver screen again—like the iconic Lolita Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Nikki
Ross and Mona Lisa.
Exceptional actresses
If each of these exceptional actresses can come up with at
least one new big-screen portrayal each, imagine how much brighter our once
silver but now slivered movie screen would be! Well, we can dream, can’t we?
The great thing about Hilda’s return is that it proves that,
with the right project and persuasive gifts, those other pipe dreams can
similarly come true.
That can be speeded up further if film fans use the media
and social network to assure producers that they will go out of their way to
patronize the comebacking stars’ new TV-film projects—starting with Hilda
“reintroducing” vehicle, Star Cinema’s “The Heiress.”
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