Filipino actress Gabby Padilla expressed her gratitude and excitement as she shared her experience working with Japanese actress Arisa Nakano.

During the gala night of the Cinemalaya film "Kono Basho'' held at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay on Aug. 6, Gabbie opens up about her time with Arisa while they were in Japan.

"It was a great experience, although we met two days before the shooting. She made it easy to connect with her and hindi mahirap imagine na magkapatid kami, and she's just a generous actress," Gabby shared.

(It was a wonderful experience, even though we had only met two days before the shooting. She made it so easy to connect with her, and it's not difficult to imagine that we are siblings; she's just such a generous actress.)

Arisa was best known for her work in the film "Best Days" with Kōji Yakusho, which made its debut during the 2023 Cannes Film Festival; the film won the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury and the Best Actor Award for Kōji Yakusho.

Despite the language barrier on the set, Gabbie complimented Arisa's acting in the film.

"Sobrang galing niya po, kahit minsan hindi kami magkaintindihan sa set," Gabby added. (She's so good, even sometimes we don't understand each other on set)

Making a comeback in another Japanese-related story, Gabby shared that there's no comparison between her last film, "Gitling," and "Kono Basho" since they tackle different stories.

"Eto nanaman po ako kasama ko nanaman po ang mga hapon [laughs], pero hindi ko po siya macocompare kasi they are both different, and pareho silang special for me for different reasons. But it's always nice to come home to Cinemalaya kasi parang reunion," Gabby  said.

(I'm back with the Japanese people again [laughs], but I can't compare them because they're different and special to me for different reasons. But it's always nice to come home to Cinemalaya because it feels like a reunion.)

"Kono Basho" tells the story of Ella (Gabby), a 28-year-old Filipina anthropologist. She travels to Rikuzentakata City for her estranged father Emman’s funeral and navigates the cultural and emotional complexities of his second family, including her Japanese half-sister, Reina (Arisa). As they confront their intertwined histories, Ella and Reina find solace and connection, each reevaluating their perceptions of their father.

The discovery of their father’s photographs leads them on a journey of rediscovery as they explore their relationships and individual identities. This moving story delves into themes of family, loss, identity, and renewal, offering a profound reflection on the Filipino diaspora set against historical trauma.

When asked about the biggest challenge while making the film, Gabby gets honest that she had to revisit her feelings after losing her father a few years ago.

"Yung nature kasi nung film is grieve, so mahirap talaga siya as someone who has dealt with it in her personal life. Mahirap lang kasi I had to revisit my own feelings na baka hindi healed. So kinaylangan ko humugot dun, that was the challenge."

(The film deals with the theme of grief, which was challenging for me as I have experienced it in my personal life. It was difficult to revisit my unresolved feelings, but it was also a challenge that I had to confront.)

Taking "Kono Basho'' on the international scene

Making its debut at the 20th Cinemalaya Film Festival, Gabby is also excited about showcasing the film on the international stage.

"Sana naman, I mean we're happy to bring the film to wherever it's meant to be, and who knows if it's to Japan or worldwide, why not? We would be happy to share it with the bigger audience," she said.

(We are thrilled to bring the film to any location, whether it's Japan or worldwide. We are eager to share it with a larger audience.)

"Kono Basho" is directed by Jaime Pacena II and produced by Project 8 Projects and Mentorque Productions. The 20th Cinemalaya will run from Aug. 2 to 11 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay in Parañaque City.