CHARO Santos respects the decision of the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) to send Brillante Mendoza's "Ma' Rosa" as the official entry of the country in the upcoming Academy Awards.
Speaking with the entertainment press on Wednesday, the ABS-CBN Chief Content Officer said she does not have any ill feelings towards FAP's announcement.
"It would have been great if our film was chosen pero iba-iba ang panlasa ng tao e. Iba-iba ang panlasa natin and you accept that," she said.
Santos added: "May pagka-philosophical kasi yung tingin ko sa buhay e. Kung nauukol e di okay. Kung hindi naman, just go with the flow and move on and we should just all be happy for Ma' Rosa".
FAP announced last week that "Ma' Rosa" will be the country's official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category of the Oscars days after Santos' starrer "Ang Babaeng Humayo" bagged the Golden Lion award, the highest recognition at the 73rd Venice International Film Festival.
Netizens reacted that Lav Diaz's film should represent the country instead.
But Santos remained firm that everyone must respect FAP's decision and support “Ma’ Rosa.”
"It's not in our control. There's a selection committee and this is with the Film Academy of the Philippines to make the decision. Iba-iba ang pagtingin natin, iba-iba ang panlasa natin. So, let's respect that. Let's support the film they have chosen."
To recall, seasoned actress Jaclyn Jose was named Best Actress at the 69th Cannes Film Festival in France for "Ma' Rosa."
She is the first Filipina and Asian to take home the coveted trophy.
Meanwhile, Santos said she is grateful for the overwhelming support and positive response on their latest win.
The former ABS-CBN President and CEO feels flattered that her performance in the three-hour movie is getting a lot of buzz from netizens here and abroad.
Some even commented that she delivered an Oscar-worthy performance.
"Masaya pero just go with the flow. No expectations. What will be, will be. You take things as they come. I just have a grateful heart."
Santos said she's just happy that a Filipino film, and a Lav Diaz masterpiece at that, was hailed in the international film arena.
"The win of the movie is a celebration of Philippine cinema. I'm so very happy and proud of Lav Diaz. He deserves this after nine years of working so hard and not giving up," she said.
"There are no biases. They just saw the film for its merits. They saw our performances for our own merits. Walang judgment, wala ring expectations. Nakakatuwa naman that it was very much appreciated," Santos ended.
"Ang Babaeng Humayo" tells the story of Horacia Somorostro, played by Santos, a woman whose life has become an imprisonment with all its spins and randomness that made it very difficult, vicious, and inexplicable.
Shot in Santos' hometown of Calapan, Mindoro, the film also stars John Lloyd Cruz, Michael de Mesa, Shamaine and Nonie Buencamino, Mayen Estanero, Romelyn Sale, Mae Paner, Kakai Bautista and Lao Rodriguez
It will be released in theaters nationwide starting September 28. (Sunnex)