Award-winning filmmaker Adolfo Alix, Jr. expressed his admiration for veteran actress Anita Linda during the “Sandaan: Dunong ng Isang Ina” event organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) to honor the veteran actress’ contributions Philippine cinema.
“She is a living storyteller of how the Philippine cinema evolved,” Alix said during the event held last June 16, at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.
“So banggitin niyo lang po sa kanya ‘yung isang pelikulang nagawa niya, and she will tell you wonderful stories about how the film was made, what anecdote she has with the director or co-actors, which I think is a great testament to the entire history of cinema,” he added.
The event was part of the commemoration for Sandaan: the One Hundred Years of Philippine Cinema and Mother’s Day, and was attended by Anita’s family and friends, people she has worked with, and guests from the media.
Director Alix has worked with Anita in various movies, including “Presa” and his recent film “Circa,” which reaped the White Light Post-Production Award at the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Film Forum (HAF) last March.
FDCP Chairperson and CEO Mary Liza Diño handed the achievement award to Anita, who is considered the oldest living actress working in the Philippine film industry.
“On behalf of FDCP and the entire industry, we are very happy that we are awarding you this recognition. Maraming-maraming salamat po sa pagiging isang ina sa aming lahat, for being one of the country’s living treasures. You are a living movie legend to all of us,” said Diño during her speech.
Ruel Pambid, Jr., Anita Linda’s nephew, also took pride in having Anita Linda as his aunt. “Nagpapasalamat kami sa FDCP because, at 94 years of age, binigyan niyo ng parangal ang isang Anita Linda. Although of course, we didn’t really look at her as such an actress [but as family]. We’re very proud of her accomplishments because none of her brothers and sisters, none of her nephews, nieces, none of her apos followed in her footsteps. Not one of us became actors or actresses, but we would, of course, relish the fact that the late family produced one such stellar personage in Philippine cinema, and I cannot be more proud that I’m related to Anita Linda.”
A free screening of the widely acclaimed Anita starrer film “Adela” by director Alix was held during the event.
Meanwhile, “The Life of Anita Linda: An Exhibit” at the Cinematheque Centre Manila showcased the different stages of Anita Linda’s life as an actress as well as memorabilia from her career
