She got it from her mama!
Iana Bernardez proved she had inherited the acting genes of her mom Angel Aquino with her first-ever acting award.
The relative newcomer won Best Supporting Actress for her performance in J.E. Tiglao’s coming-of-age tale Metamorphosis at the 2019 Cinema One Originals awards night on Friday at Dolphy Theater. She bested Yayo Aguila, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Via Antonio, Dwein Baltazar and Frances Makil-Ignacio.
During her speech, she thanked director J.E. for trusting her with the role of Onang and lead star Gold Azeron, who also went on to win Best Actor, for “being so easy to work with … and to connect with.”
Additionally, Iana gave special mention to fellow nominee Dwein for “giving me my first shot at acting”. Dwein directed her first movie, the 2018 Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus.
“To everyone who does not trust themselves, always remember we have to have the courage and be kind to everyone and to yourself,” the young actress said.
Meanwhile, mom Angel Aquino, herself a multi-awarded actress, took to Instagram to express her pride in her eldest daughter’s success.
“I have no words for this post… just tears of joy and overwhelming pride… Iana, I hope that this honor washes over all your doubts, your fears, anxieties and uncertainties.
“Trust Life. Trust the Universe. Trust God. And have faith in yourself. We’re so proud of you!” Angel said.
What Iana learned about acting from Angel
In a STAR interview, Iana said she was in denial for the longest time that she also wanted to work in the acting field.
She set out to do indie film producing work after graduating with a Psychology degree from Ateneo De Manila University.
That changed last year with Gusto Kita With All My Hypothalamus.
Nowadays, she calls on her mom Angel for any acting help.
“In terms of acting, for example, iiyak. Ang hirap po pala talaga umiyak, so tatawagan ko siya, sabi ko, ‘Mommy, ano pong gagawin?’ Tapos mapapaiyak niya (ako).
“Lagi niya akong tinutulungan. In every audition or every role I play, lagi niya akong binibigyan ng tips, uupuan niya ako. Like, eto yung mga linya ko, Mommy, paano natin to aatakihin?”
According to Iana, she wouldn’t consider herself an actress yet. However, she enjoys acting because her mom gets to be part of the process.
“Even now I can’t consider myself as an actor yet, extra ako, talent ako, because mas producing naman din yung gusto ko. But ever since, when my mom and I would watch films, how the actors acted — that we would (discuss).
“Nakakatawa lang din na yung mga pinag-uusapan namin dati ni Mommy, like sana ginanito niya, sana yun… Masaya siya na process for me because nakakasama si Mommy sa process.”
Iana’s win was among Metamorphosis’ five awards at the 15th edition of filmfest run by cable channel Cinema One.
These included Best Director (J.E. Tiglao), Best Actor (Gold Azeron), Best Cinematography (Tey Clamor) and Best Sound (Immanuel Verona and Vince Banta).
