JERRY OLEA
Nagulat si Ely Buendia nang i-offer sa kanya ang lead role sa Cinemalaya 2025 full-length feature na Padamlagan (Night Light).
“Nagulat ako in the sense na I’m not really experienced as an actor, and they would take their chance on a newcomer,” lahad ni Ely sa mediacon noong Setyembre 3, 2025, Miyerkules, sa East Atrium ng Shangri-La Plaza, EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City.
“Yeah, I was surprised.”
Anong meron sa pelikula na pumukaw sa kanyang interes?
“Mostly the story, because it’s a true-to-life story. It’s a story about the Peñafrancia disaster in Naga City,” tugon ni Ely.
“The Colgante Bridge disaster. It has something to do with Naga City, and I was born in Naga City.
“Parang return to my roots, so that’s why I accepted the project.”
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ELY BUENDIA'S CHARACTER IN PADAMLAGAN
Paano niya ide-describe ang character niya sa Padamlagan?
“My character is a very conscientious person. He’s a single father. And he struggles emotionally and mentally to find his lost son,” wika ni Ely.
Nahirapan ba siyang umakting? Ano ang pinaka-challenging para sa kanya?
“Every scene was mahirap because it was my first parang lead role. And it’s a dramatic role,” pagtatapat ni Ely.
“But I’m glad that the filmmakers were very supportive and very understanding. And I tried to give my best.”
Paano siya na-motivate? May mga pinaghugutan ba siya sa kanyang karakter?
Napabuntong-hininga si Ely: “Well, you can’t help it. I guess they also got me as the lead actor because they know I’m also a parent, I’m a father of a son.
“I do come from that background. I’m a probinsiyano. And I think all the rest is just imagination.
“Pero I did of course parang... sabi ko nga, may hinugot din ako from my personal experiences.”
Iniisip ba niyang maging best actor ng Cinemalaya 2025?
“No, no. I’m just trying to tell a story, and I just hope na the emotions come across sa movie,” sagot ni Ely.
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GORGY RULA
Maraming ibang pinagkakaabalahan si Ely. Mabuti at tinanggap niya itong pelikula.
“Well, if it’s film, I’m definitely going to consider it because I’ve always loved film, and as you know, I studied film in UP,” saad ni Ely.
“I have lots of friends here, one of my batchmates in UP. So yeah, any chance I get, of course, I’ll consider a film project whether acting, or writing, directing.”
Kumanta ba siya sa Padamlagan?
“No, it’s not a musical.”
Naisip ba niyang gumawa ng kanta or theme song for this movie?
“The producers naman didn’t ask for my musical talent. So they wanted me as an actor basically, and not as a musician,” pagsisiwalat ni Ely.
“Yeah, wala namang ganoong ano, job for me.”
Co-stars ni Ely sa Padamlagan sina Esteban Mara, Sue Prado, Floyd Tena, at Mildren Anne, sa direksyon ni Jenn Romano.
Ang 21st Cinemalaya filmfest ay gaganapin sa Oktubre 3-12, 2025 sa Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City.
NOEL FERRER
Isinilang at lumaki si Ely Buendia sa Naga City, Camarines Sur.
Nakatanggap ba siya ng suporta mula kay Naga City Mayor Leni Robredo sa pagsusyuting?
“Pinuntahan namin siya doon sa city hall actually. First day niya sa office, so it was very auspicious day,” sambit ni Ely.
“And we met with her after the flag ceremony. She offered help, so we were very thankful.”
Meron bang political statement ang Padamlagan, lalo pa’t ang setting nito ay five days bago ideklara ang martial law noong Setyembre 21, 1972?
“Of course there’s that underlying relationship between the tragedy and the political milieu of that era,” pagmamatuwid ni Ely.
“All the rest, I think, bahala na yung audience to infer what they want to infer in terms of politics.
“But the story is more focused talaga sa father-son relationship.”
Very vocal siya pagdating sa mga political issue…
“Yeah, because I’m a vocalist.”
Anong pananaw o saloobin niya sa mga isyu nowadays, partikular sa flood control scandal?
“I don’t wanna, you know, be all political, but I think it’s an injustice lang to the people, especially the taxpayers,” pahayag ni Ely Buendia.
“I pay my taxes. So it’s a shame, so I hope that there will be justice for the people. That’s all I can say.”
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