Ilongga Sings her way to Indie Film
An interview
with Sheila Barrios
(Published
in The News Today, The Daily Guardian, The Watchmen Journal and Panay News)
Music might
be one of her passions that made her became a significant Ilonggo artist in
Western Visayas but for Sheila Barrios, being featured in a mainstream
independent movie ‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa’ [Love in the Time of the
Bacunaua] is another feather to her cap. Since her Ilonggo song ‘Ginpalangga’
was released in the internet, local FM stations in Iloilo and then spread
throughout Western Visayas, a lot of people took noticed of her soulful voice.
Somehow her popularity became an unexpected sensation among young Ilonggos who
are fond of supporting local independent music. She was nominated as Best
Female Artist at 2010 Ilonggo Music Awards by ABS-CBN Iloilo.
When Palanca
award-winning Ilonggo writer and debuting film director, Peter Solis Nery
started his online search for cast and talents in his first full-length film
‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa,’ a finalist for Sineng Pamabansa National Film
Competition and co-produced by the Film Development Council of the Philippines,
he immediately took noticed of Sheila’s singing talent in facebook and youtube.
He immediately offered her a cameo part in his movie as a singing rival to the
film’s lead actor Eman Abatayo. Her soulful rendition of her original song
entitled ‘Nabatayagan’ [Feelings] in the movie convinced the Ilonggo director
to consider it as the second theme song of the movie. Likewise, she was also
appointed as first line producer and production assistant during the 6-day movie
shoot in Dumangas, Iloilo and white sand beaches of Guimaras.
“Being part
of this movie is a great honor for me as Ilonggo artist. I was surprised when
Peter Nery approached me in facebook. I am also very thankful for choosing me
as one of his staff and making my Ilonggo song the soundtrack of the movie,”
says Sheila who is currently an academic scholar at the University of Iloilo
and taking up Hotel and Restaurant Management. She is thankful to God for
giving her a lot of blessings with the success of her other Ilonggo songs such
as ‘Sa Handum Na Guid Lang’ and ‘Salamat Iloy’ not only played in Iloilo but as
far as Bacolod and Negros.
When asked
about her inspiration for her song ‘Nabatyagan’ featured in the movie, she has
these words to say: “The song is about falling in love to the right person that
truly cares for you and loves you unconditionally.” Since her cameo part in the
movie is a singing competition with lead actor Eman Abatayo, she didn’t felt
any pressure because he was very appreciative. She also pointed out that the whole
cast and crew became a one big happy family who supported each other.
“As part of
the production staff, there was really pressure because we had to finish the
movie in 6 tiring days and sleepless nights. But as we go on, we realize
that our bonding and friendship on the set helped us tackle the hardship,” she
expressed. The movie was also co-produced by Hopeboat Films based in Los
Angeles, California, U.S.A. who stayed in Iloilo for more than a week to shoot
the movie. This coming August 26, 4PM at CAP Auditorium, Sheila together with
the whole cast and crew of the movie will once again reunite to attend the Gala
Premiere of ‘Gugma sa Panahon sang Bakunawa.’ The film was recently recommended
by the Film Development Council of the Philippines to the Thessaloniki Film
Festival in Greece.
So, what’s
next for Sheila Barrios after the movie premiere? “I will continue to chase my
dream of finishing my studies and explore new places. Maybe I’ll also take part
in any future projects of our talented director Peter Nery and Hopeboat Films.
And I hope to finish and release a full-length independent album very soon this
year,” Sheila enthused, a true Ilonggo artist by heart. Check her out at www.facebook.com/sheilabarrios. ‘Gugma sa Panahon
sang Bakunawa’ is slated for Gala Premiere on August 26 at CAP Auditorium with
2 screenings—4PM-6PM and 6PM-8PM, visit www.facebook.com/loveinthetimeofthebacunaua for
updates
