WHY 'BALOTA' IS A CAREER WAKE-UP CALL FOR MARIAN RIVERA

MARIAN RIVERA, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE "BALOTA" CAST AND production team, recently held a victory party for the successful theatrical release of the film co-produced by GMA Entertainment Group and GMA Pictures.

- NATHALIE M. TOMADA

Already a crowd-puller in last August's Cinemalaya independent film fest, the political satire and thriller directed by Kip Oebanda crossed over to commercial cinemas last month, sustaining box-office presence for four weeks.

The film, which also won its lead star Marian her first ever acting award, is now entering its fifth week in select cinemas.

In "Balota," Marian plays Teacher Emmy, who is caught in a dangerous electoral battle. The story follows a land-grabbing tycoon and a former male sexy star feuding over the mayoral seat in a small town. Amid the election chaos, Teacher Emmy finds herself tasked with safeguarding a ballot box containing the last copy of election results—crucial to maintaining the election's integrity. Emmy must outwit and outrun those bent on sabotaging the election.

Through "Balota," the Kapuso Primetime Queen got more inspired to pursue indie films and tackle equally demanding roles in her next projects.

"Of course, kung kayo ay may wake-up call sa 'Balota,' ito naman ang aking wake-up call sa paggawa ng mas maraming magagandang pelikula," she said.

"It's hard to compare it to my past films, pero isa siguro si 'Balota' sa masasabi ko na, nung ginagawa ko siya, natapos ko siya at nung pinanood ko na siya sa sinehan, iba pa rin yung fulfillment na nakuha ko dun."

According to Marian, it felt great to be part of a project that she knew would touch or help the audience. Now, she wants to make sure that every project she does moving forward has a positive impact on the people who watch her.

"Parang sabi ko, ay pwede palang ganito. Masarap gumawa ng isang proyekto na kapag gumagawa ka, buong-buo yung loob mo at alam mong may ma-ko-contribute ito sa mga manonood.