Multi-awarded actress Jaclyn Jose strongly advises PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) to watch the independent movie Lola on October 15, at Market Market in Taguig City. It will be the opening film for the 11^th Cinemanila International Film Festival. (CLICK HERE to read related article.) 

The seasoned actress said that it doesn't matter if the movie does not feature a big star. Anyway, it was chosen as one of the entries in the recently concluded 66^th Venice Film Festival. 

As a long-time supporter of independently produced films, Jaclyn has seen how it became popular to Pinoy audience. "Okay na, di ba? At least maganda naman ang ating kontribusyon," she told PEP at the press conference of Nagsimula sa Puso last night, October 6.

Jaclyn said she's passing the torch to the new actors in the industry today. 

"Sabi ko nga, we started doing indie, helping indie industry for so many years. Sabi ko sa mga batang ito, kayo naman, pagod na kami. Kasi, ang indie naman, tinulungan namin noon nang walang kapalit. Ang kapalit lang namin noon ay travel. I wanna give naman, bigyan din naman sila [ng chance] na maka-experience din naman sila," said Jaclyn.

ENCOURAGING COCO MARTIN.  Jaclyn admires Nagsimula sa Puso co-star Coco Martin the most, among the young actors who do independent movies today. When they worked together in Masahista (2005), Coco's first movie, she already saw the potential of the newbie actor at the time.

"After the first film, may ginawa kaming scene doon, 'yon nakita ko na, 'Hmmm, meron 'to.' Hanggang sa 'yon, lagi na lang kaming magkasama sa movies," she said.

Jaclyn was right in her prediction: Coco is now dubbed the "Prince of Indie Films." He got rave reviews for his portrayal of Ramon in the hit ABS-CBN series Tayong Dalawa. 

Jaclyn now advises Coco to do more mainstream projects, without turning his back on the industry that gave him a name in showbiz.

"Sinasabihan ko naman si Coco na, 'Tama na muna ang indie.' Naka-30 na yata 'yan, e. Pito sa kanya, kasama ako," she said.

Jaclyn also recalled how hesitant Coco was in trying his luck in mainstream media. "Noon ko pa siya niyayaya dito. Sabi ko, ''Nak, mag-mainstream ka na. Puwede ka na.' [Sabi niya], 'Hindi, Mommy, takot pa ako.' Noon, takot 'yan, e. Star-struck pa siya, e. Pero ngayon nagiging confident na siya."

She also pointed out, "Indie siya nang indie! Pero ngayon, sinasabi ko sa kanya, hindi mo na yun ang talagang [priority], kasi ang dami na niyang nagawa. [Sabi ko], 'Mag-mainstream ka muna. Kita ka muna ng pera. You know, you save muna kasi kailangan din nating kumain.'"