CINDY Miranda says her title role in the sizzling sex-drama, “Nerisa”, is a make or break movie for her. Vivamax held a special solo zoom presscon for her. She says playing a title role is a dream come true for her.

“Nahirapan ako with this movie hindi lang sa sexy scenes kundi physically,” she adds. “Nagkapasa pasa ako. Nagkasugat-sugat. Very physical ang mga eksena and I did my own stunts. For the underwater scenes, I don’t dive, but we had rushed training with Director Jess Lapid Jr. who also directed the underwater scenes. Kahit natatakot ako, I don’t show it kasi biggest break ko ito, e. I had to do everything na ipinagagawa sa akin, kasi we’re also shooting on a limited time at kalaban pa namin ang weather kasi ang init-init, tapos biglang uulan. We just stayed in a tent na hindi aircon at nagdugo pa ang ilong ko.”

How is it working with Aljur Abrenica as her leading man, and their co-stars Elizabeth Oropesa, Bembol Roco, Sheree Bautista, AJ Raval, Sean de Guzman and many more? “Lahat sila, ngayon ko lang nakatrabaho and they were all very good and helpful to me. Napakabait nila. Nabitin lang ako sa kuwentuhan with them, kasi we’re pressed for time sa shooting sa Alabat Island. Wala kaming time for bonding. So sana makatrabaho ko sana sila uli in the future.”

How did she feel when some quarters accused her for the breakup of Aljur’s marriage? “Na-timing lang po na nung i-announce yun ni Mr. Robin Padilla, papalabas itong movie namin. But I heard ‘yung breakup nila happened bago pa namin ginawa itong movie, so clearly, wala po akong kinalaman doon. Sinagot naman ‘yun ni Aljur in interviews with him and he even apologized to me na nadawit ang pangalan ko roon.”

Those who have seen the trailer of “Nerisa” said her sexy scenes are “bastos”. What can she say about this? “Before they judge the film na bastos, sana naman, panoorin muna nila. Lahat ng ginawa namin sa movie, kailangan doon sa story. When they watch it they’ll realize na hindi siya bastos kundi maganda ang story at may katuturan siya as written by Ricky Lee. This is more than just a sexy movie and I’m sure, ma-appreciate nila.”

As Nerisa, she plays a very enigmatic character. Aljur as Obet, a fisherman, finds her in the middle of the sea and takes her home in their island to be his wife. But soon, bad things start happening in the island and she’s blamed to be the “salot” or plague who bring misfortune to the people. “Mahirap ang naging journey ni Nerisa and I want to thank Direk Law Fajardo for guiding me. He respects you as an actress. He will let you do a scene muna your way then kung may gusto siyang idagdag o ipabago, he will tell you. He really trusts you. I can feel nag-jibe kami sa gusto niyang mangyari kay Nerisa sa movie and that’s very important sa actor-director relationship sa set.”

Won’t her boyfriend for her doing sexy scenes in “Nerisa”? “Wala po akong boyfriend. Matagal na po akong single. Ang focus ko lang talaga ngayon is my acting career. Hindi naman lahat, nabibigyan ng break gaya ng binigay sa akin ng Viva rito sa ‘Nerisa’ so I’m giving this my all kasi I realized na ito talaga ang gusto kong gawin sa buhay ko, ang makilala ko as magaling na aktres. Kaya ngayon, panay ang dasal ko na sana, suportahan ng viewers ang ‘Nerisa’. Nood na po kayo sa Vivamax starting this Friday na po, July 30.”

Miss World candidate in the middle of an issue

JOY Barcoma is candidate number 3 in the coming Miss World Philippines whose finals will be shown on GMA-7 on August 8. She’s currently in the eye of the storm after she got involved in a controversy with other candidates in the pageant.

“This is the very first pageant that I joined,” she says. “At the start I was close with everyone, then surprisingly biglang hindi na lang nila ako pinapansin. We all live in the same hotel then, noong July 20, I notice after the press presentation, hindi nila ako kinikibo. I thought pagod lang ang lahat kasi andami naming activities.”

The next few days, they continue to give her the cold shoulder. “Ang saya nila lahat, hindi ako kasama. Kumakain ako alone. Mag-isa lang ako sa isang sulok. What did I do? May ginawa ba kong masama? Candidates 4 & 5 are my friends, so I asked, may problema ba? I reached out to my friend na dating roommate ko and inamin niyang she heard a rumor that I’m the source of the chismis that there are several candidates who are doing drugs.

“Akala nila, ako ang nagkakalat noon. Sobrang bigat na allegation for me. I said, hindi ko alam ‘yan. Talk of the town pala ako, di ko alam. I reached out to the organizers, kasi may nag-comment na sa youtube. I had to defend myself that it’s not true.

“We had a confrontation in front of the organizers. My roommate admitted na sa kanya galing ang chismis. So nilinis ang pangalan ko na wala akong kinalat na anything about drugs. The organizers said it’s good I reached out to them. Buti raw lumabas ang totoo.

“Sabi ko, if it’s true na akong nagpakalat, I won’t have the courage to be in front of you. At that point, I don’t want to continue with the competition anymore. Gusto kong umuwi na lang ako. I felt my name is already tainted kahit wala naman akong ginagawa. I didn’t join the pageant to ruin anyone’s reputation.

“I’m working for Congresswoman Nina Taduran, tapos pati siya, madadamay pa. It took a toll on my health, my mental health, kasi grabe anxiety ko, lahat parang may galit sa’kin. So I wrote a demand letter to the candidate na siya talagang nagkalat ng tsismis na mag-public apology siya para ma-contain ang issue. But no response up to now, e kumalat na sa social media. So I decided to call the press to clear the issue. I’m so saddened by the situation. I might lose the chance sa crown.

“We’re waiting for the decision of Miss World before we decide if we’d elevate it in court. Pwede namang pag-usapan at ayoko ring umabot sa ganon. We should foster friendship in the pageant, but I was bullied at some point, so I had to speak up. I want to continue with my journey, but I want to take action as I don’t want it to happen to other candidates and other pageants.”

Joy is 22 years old. She stands 5’6” and measures 33-22.5-36. She’s the breadwinner in their family where she has five siblings.

“My parents separated when I was only 11. I started working at 15 as a model. I became my family’s foundation, their rock. I come from a poor family but I pursued my college education and finished masscom in 2018 sa PUP, where I intend to take up law later on. During my internship, napasok ako sa ‘Tulfo in Action’ where I met Ms. Taduran in 2017. I’ve been working for her since then. Now, I’m her executive assistant so she knows my character and reputation. Alam niya I live a simple, peaceful life and I’ve never been involved in questionable issues like this.”

Does she have a boyfriend? “Yes, four years na kami. He’s very supportive. Concerned nga siya kung okay ba talaga sa’kin to speak about this issue in public. I felt I have to, para maiwasan na rin yung pambu-bully sa ibang candidates in the future.”

Joy is very articulate and she expressed herself well in the presscon. If ever she’d win in Miss World Philippines, she wants to get the Miss Eco International title. “Kasi you become an international ambassador and I can push my advocacy, which is mental health.”