Wednesday, August 08, 2007 A new ‘Sister Stella L.’ in indie film ‘Haw-Ang’
THE independent film “Haw-Ang” (Before Harvest) tells the story of Sister Adel, a light-hearted young nun sent to an isolated village in the Ifugao rice terraces to teach Christianity and build a schoolhouse for the children. While on her mission as a teacher, she faces challenges that will leave her torn apart by her faith and femininity.
Sister Adel is played by veteran theater actress Kalila Aguilos whose powerful portrayal makes her character the most significant nun in recent Philippine cinema following “Sister Stella L.” in 1984 played by actress Vilma Santos. Like Sister Stella L., Sister Adel is not only a nun of the convent but also a nun of the people. In this new film, she fights against the politics-driven educational crisis in the village.
“Haw-Ang”, which opens on August 8 in twelve SM digital cinemas nationwide, features a powerhouse acting ensemble that includes “Pinoy Big Brother” Season One ex-housemate Raquel Reyes and acclaimed thespian and independent film actors Neil Ryan Sese and Fonz Deza. The only film officially endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd)-NCR, “Haw-Ang” proudly introduces eight-year-old Dacmay Tangliban, the child wonder from the Tuwali tribe in Hapao, Hungduan.
The movie is the maiden project of Sizzling Gambas Productions and the first directorial film of Bong Ramos, a seasoned writer-line producer who worked for TV programs like “Maricel Drama Special”, “Flames”, and “Maalaala Mo Kaya”, and movies like “Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion”, “Hubad sa Ilalim ng Buwan”, and “Pila Balde”. “Haw-Ang” is produced by Melbourne-based entrepreneur Dane Kip Lyons, sponsored by Standard Insurance Co. Inc., and co-presented by UniversiTV.
View the movie’s music video featuring Bayang Barrios's "Nais Ko". (Press release)
