CINDY Miranda admits she was not comfortable doing sexy projects when she was just starting to make a name in showbiz. The 33-year-old beauty queen is happy to have left her sexy image behind and is embracing her new path as a versatile actress.
At the press conference for “Kuman Thong (Black Magic Baby)” last Wednesday at Viva Cafe, Cindy opened up about feeling undeserving of her sexy image.
“Unang-una, hindi ako bagay bilang sexy actress,” she said. “Iba talaga ang katawan nila, hindi ako sexy na alam ko. Hindi ako kumportable, sabi ko hindi ako bagay dito, hindi ako kumportable dito, hindi ako proud sa ginagawa ko.”
She is thankful to Viva for allowing her to show her other facets. She was given a chance to do drama-comedy in “Adik sa Yo” with JM Miranda and now, horror in “Kuman Thong,” where she gets to work with actor-director Xian Lim for the first time.
“Now happy na ako,” Cindy said.
Cindy gets to show a different side as she plays a distraught mom desperate to reunite with her deceased son in Viva Films and Studio Viva’s movie written and directed by Xian Lim.
The story follows Clara (Cindy), who travels to Thailand with her daughter, Katie (Althea), to seek the blessing of Namfon (Jariya), the mother of her fiancé Sai Chon (Max). However, Namfon isn’t enthused about the idea of her only son migrating to the Philippines, believing that the couple is not yet ready, especially with Clara still grieving the loss of her son, Isaac (Emman). Clara even carries around the urn bearing Isaac’s ashes.
The bereaved mother’s visit to Thailand leads her to a shaman who performs a ritual with Isaac’s ashes. The shaman hands Clara a Kuman Thong, promising that it can help bring back Isaac if she takes proper care of it. Despite Namfon’s disapproval, Clara keeps the Kuman Thong with the hope she can reunite with Isaac.
Shortly after Clara begins making offerings to the Kuman Thong, eerie occurrences plague their once peaceful household. Clara’s behavior also begins to change as she starts to sense Isaac’s presence. Even though Isaac’s spirit is putting the family in danger, Clara and Katie are thrilled by his apparent return.
Cindy said it was always a dream to star in a horror movie, and when she found out she was going to work with Xian, she was initially stupefied.
“Hindi po ako nakasalita, kasi never ko pa siya nakatrabaho,” said the actress. “But tinanggap ko rin po siya agad agad.”
Cindy welcomed the chance to be part of “Kuman Thong” because she had always wanted to be part of a horror project. She also has good words for Xian as a director.
“Xian is very nice, sabi ko nga. Alam mo gusto niya nga talaga maging direktor, magaling na direktor, very passionate siya,” she said.
He’s cool on the set, and easy to work with, she added.
Xian worked with rumored girlfriend Iris Lee on the set of “Kuman Thong.” Cindy noted that there would sometimes be discussions on the direction of the film, but she noted that Xian and Iris are creative partners as well.
“May time na nag-a-argue sila, pero, you know, maganda naman ‘yun di ba? May dalawang ideas tayo kasi minsan may kailangan talagang mag-contradict doon sa isa. Di ba tama para sa ikakaganda ng movie? Pero siyempre, minsan lang, kapag nag-a-argue sila sa isang eksena, siyempre kami rin naaapektuhan doon, pero iniisip mo sa ikagaganda ng movie,” she related. “Very, very professional. Nagtulungan po talaga sila.”
Shot for seven days in Thailand, “Kuman Thong” is a different type of horror and also features Thai stars Max Nattapol Diloknawarit and Jariya Therakaosal.
Viva Films and Studio Viva’s “Kuman Thong” is showing in theaters nationwide starting July 3.
