MANILA -- Although she won raves for her role in the acclaimed movie "On The Job," veteran actress Vivian Velez considers "Bendor" her first real indie film project.
Veteran actress Vivian Velez
"Of course, 'yung isang film ko, 'OTJ,' but the role was not eleborated, hindi katulad ng 'Bendor.' So itong 'Bendor' talaga, I'm really excited," Velez said in the press conference for Cinema One Originals digital film festival.
In the movie directed by Ralston Jover, Velez plays a candle vendor in Quiapo. "Bendor" tackles the day-to-day problems of the vendor, her husband and children.
Although known as one of the more glamorous actresses in show business, Velez admitted that her character, which she described as a "scaled down" version of herself, posed a big challenge for her.
"No make-up, big size clothes and all of that and the language, 'yung language ko is so different. Ang daming preparations," Velez said.
"In fact ,it's the only film na nagawa ko na talagang no make-up, no nothing, talagang unglamorized. Very challenging. Everyday it was a constant struggle for me. I'm used to being made up and all of that," she added.
Despite this, Velez said "Bendor" inspirfed her to do more indie films.
"You know I enjoyed doing indie films kasi edgy palagi. So I would like to do another one, another two, another three for as long as maganda 'yung project," she said.
"Bendor" also stars Sue Prado, Evelyn Vargas, Anna Luna, Lester Llansang, Chanel Latorre, Nico Antonio and Czarina Alcantara.
Currently, Velez is also busy with the hit series "Maria Mercedes" with Jessy Mendiola in the title role.
In the soap, she plays Malvina Sancuevas, the rich mother of Luis (Jake Cuenca) who falls in love with Maria Mercedes.
"That's why it was challenging kasi I'm doing 'Maria Mercedes' at the same time I'm doing 'Bendor.' Talagang extreme opposite of my character, so that's a big, big challenge for me," Velez said.
