After 21 years, actress Katrina Halili won her first acting award for the movie "Abe Nida," which will be shown in local theaters soon. The recognition comes from an international film festival, making it special.

Katrina admitted she no longer expected to win an acting award at the press conference for "Abe Nida," held in Quezon City on March 23.

"Actually never ko na inisip na magkaka-award pa ako. Kasi dati pa lang, sabi ko, 'Ano ba yan? Wala man lang akong ka-award award. Actually meron naman FHM. Sabi ko mukhang hanggang dito na lang ito. Tapusin na natin ito. So happy ako pero hindi ko na talaga inexpect magkaroon ng award. Basta nagta-trabaho lang ako," Katrina said.

Katrina won Best Supporting Actress for her dual role in "Abe Nida" at the 10th Emirates Film Festival in Dubai, while Allen received his 13th international Best Actor trophy and 51st acting award for the same movie. "Abe Nida" also won Best International Film Feature in Dubai. 

On working with Allen, Katrina said: "Masarap siyang ka-trabaho. Tutulungan ka niya sa mga eksena. Hindi ka mahihirapan. Iba talaga kapag magaling ang mga kasama mo. Madadala ka sa kanila at hindi ka mahihirapan sa pag-internalize."

In the movie, Abe (played by Allen), a woodcarver and artist, loses everything when his wife leaves him for another man. Abe falls for a woman who looks like his wife and calls her by her wife's name, Nida (Katrina), when, in reality, she is a prostitute named Cecile (Katrina).

Award-winning director Louie Ignacio said the lead role was intended for Allen. "Ang 'Abe Nida' ay storya ng buhay ko. May mga kausap akong artists, woodcarvers sa Laguna at doon nabuo ang mga character at yung itsura ng pelikula. Si Allen na talaga ang nasa isip ko na male lead.

But Louie confirmed that Katrina was not the original choice for the role of Nida/Cecile.

"Marami kaming pinagpilian. Parang audition ang nangyari pero hindi naman ako nagpatawag ng audition. So nagresearch ako hanggang umabot kay Katrina.

"So tinignan ko ang qualities ni ganito at ganyan. Ayoko nito dahil maarte yan. Ay, ang daming demands niyan. So napunta yung role kay Katrina dahil kayang gampanan ni Katrina yung dalawa. 

"Hindi siya maarte. Ganun kasi ang mga katrabahong gusto ko. Hindi maarte. Kung maarte ka, hindi ka makakaulit," the director said.

Reacting to Louie's comment, Katrina said: "Ganun naman po talaga. Kailangan ma-screen kung sino ang babagay sa role. Kahit ako ganun din. Sasalain talaga." 

Allen said the role of a deranged man was challenging.

"Mahirap ang role ko kasi hindi ako baliw sa totoong buhay. Kailangan ko rin humugot ng sculpture. Hindi talaga ako marunong noon kaya dapat kong pag-aralan.

"Na-meet namin ang tunay na Abe before the shoot kaya nagkaroon ako ng idea. Nakipag-usap ako sa kanila at pumunta pa kami sa bahay nila. From there, nalaman ko na paano i-portray ang role ko bilang Abe at nakuha ko naman," said Allen.

Asked how it feels to win his 30th best actor trophy, Allen said: "Every time na uma-attend ako ng festival, minsan mananalo ka at minsan naman hindi. Siyempre pag andun ka na, hindi naman ako hypocrite para sabihin na hindi ako umaasa ng award.

"Kaya nga nandun ako, kahit paano, nag-e-expect ako. Pagnanalo ka na, mas masaya. Hindi ko iniisip na dapat manalo ako. Ginagawa namin ito hindi para manalo ng award kung para sa ikagaganda ng pelikula. Ginawa namin yung best namin para sa akin yun na ang pinaka-importante," the actor added.

Louie said he's grateful for his tandem with Baby Go, the movie's producer, who always gives him the freedom to execute the movie.

"Yun ang maganda sa samahan namin ni Baby Go. Hindi siya nakiki-alam sa execution. Hinahayaan niya akong gawin ang gusto ko sa pelikula," the director said.

Baby said: "Malaki talaga ang tiwala ko kay Louie. Hinayaan ko talaga na gawin niya kung ano ang ikagaganda ng pelikula. Never ko siyang binigyan ng pressure na dapat magkaroon ng award ang pelikula namin. Tiwala lang talaga."

Jean Go, daughter of Baby Go, said that she fully supports her mom in producing movies.

"Hindi talaga showbiz ang mundo ko and I'm a private citizen. Pero passion talaga ito ni mommy kaya naman I always support her. I support her whatever makes her happy," said Jean.

Line producer Dennis Evangelista said "Abe Nida" will participate in another film festival abroad. It is expected to be shown in local cinemas later this year.