ACTRESS Iza Calzado is confirmed to star in Sheryl Rose Andres’ film for Cinemalaya 2019.

Sheryl Rose Andres, a student of Ricky Lee and a teacher in filmmaking, is now joining the group of filmmakers for Cinemalaya 2019, an event where authentic Filipino films are displayed and given their awards.

In her post, Andres posted a picture of her and Calzado with a caption:

“I found my Elena, and she is Izadora... Abangan ang aking unang pelikula, Pandanggo sa Hukay para sa Cinemalaya 2019. Btw, ‘Kamukha niya si Mama Mary’ #Cinemalaya2019 #WomenHelpingWomen.”

This year, Andres is shooting her film entitled “Pandanggo sa Hukay” which is an award-winiing screenplay by Adrian Legaspi. She chose Calzado as the protagonist of the film.

According to Calzado, this was a perfect time that she was offered the role since she just finished her current teleserye, Ngayon at Kailanman. Starring in Andres’ film is one of Calzado’s big plans this 2019.

Moreover, she applauded the script due to its depiction of women empowerment.

“Ang ganda lang talaga ng materyal! It’s all about women empowerment and it’s along my advocacy din sa aming ‘She Talks Asia’ na magkakaroon ng taunang summit sa March 16,” she said in an interview.

She would even concentrate more on the role at hand than planning her honeymoon. That’s how important this role is to her.

This is Calzado’s third time to enter Cinemalaya. In 2012, she, Judy Ann Santos, Agot Isidro, and Janice de Belen won best actress and best supporting actress for their film “Sa Mga Mumunting Lihim.” And last year, she starred in “Distance” which participated in a lot of international film fests. (Von Daniel R. Plasencia, USC intern)