Coco Martin co-produces his 2012 Cinemalaya entry 'Sta. Niña'

Rachelle Siazon

<img src='' alt='071912-coco_main.jpg' align='left' border='0' height='290' width='305'>In spite of his hectic schedule, Coco Martin managed to finish the 2012 Cinemalaya entry Sta. Niña as a tribute to his humble beginnings in the indie scene. “Sarap [ng feeling]! Kasi nung ginagawa ko yung Sta. Niña, tinatapos ko yung movie namin ni Angeline Quinto na Born To Love You tapos may Walang Hanggan. Isinisingit ko ito sa schedule ko para matapos. Never ko naramdaman yung pagod. ‘Pag passion mo kasi, ginagawa mo dahil nageenjoy ka,” he said during the press con for Sta. Niña held at Patio Carlito Restaurant last July 17. But aside from waiving his talent fee, he also co-produced the film this time around. As it is, he said he wants to help his fellow indie actors who are also looking for a break in showbiz. “Alam ko yung hirap. Unang-una walang budget, pakiusapan lahat. Ngayon gusto ko ibalik sa kanila, gusto ko tumulong lalo na sa artista na kasamahan ko. And then this time, ako naman kahit papano yung makakatulong. Kaya nung inoffer sa akin ni Direk Manny (Emmanuel Quindo Palo) sabi nga namin kailangan ng funding. Sabi ko willing naman ako sumuporta kung anong maibibigay ko.” Several Cinemalaya entries also feature Kapamilya stars such as JM De Guzman and Dawn Zulueta. Asked how he feels that he has inspired a lot of celebrities to join the indie scene, he simply replied, “Nakakatuwa lalo na sa nagsisimulang artista nagiging inspirasyon ako. Nagbunga yung pinaghirapan namin. Kasi dati iilan lang kami na gumagawa ng indie film. Nung panahon na yun ang thinking sa indie low-budget, madilim ‘yan, ‘di maintindihan yung pelikula. Pero ngayon tumataas yung quality at madaming gustong tumulong para mas mapaganda pa ito.” Sta Niña tells the story of how Pol (played by Coco Martin) digs up the coffin of his daughter while working at a lahar-covered quarry in Pampanga. 10 years have passed since the two-year-old Marikit died but her remains do not show any signs of decay, much to the surprise of the townsfolk. News of the well preserved body’s miraculous power to heal the sick spread across nearby towns, thus, a lot of people come to Pol’s home to be healed by Marikit. How will this turn of events affect the lives of Pol and the people close to him? The screening schedule for Sta. Niña is as follows: July 21, 6:30 PM, Greenbelt Cinema 5 July 22, 9 PM, CCP MKP Hall July 23, 12:45 PM, CCP Little Theatre (Aurelio Tolentino) July 23, 6:15 PM, CCP Studio Theatre (Huseng Batute) July 24, 4 PM, Greenbelt Cinema 5 July 24, 9 PM, CCP Main Theatre (Nicanor Abelardo) July 25, 4 PM, Greenbelt Cinema 3 July 25, 9 PM, TriNoma Cinema 1 July 26, 12:45 PM, CCP MKP Hall July 27, 1:30 PM, TriNoma Cinema 1 July 27, 6:15 PM, CCP Studio Theatre (Huseng Batute) July 28, 11 AM, TriNoma Cinema 1 July 28, 3:30 PM, CCP Main Theatre (Nicanor Abelardo) July 28, 9 PM, Greenbelt Cinema 3

Coco Martin is proud to make a comeback on the indie scene in a story about family and the healing powers of love and faith.

Coco Martin co-produces his 2012 Cinemalaya entry 'Sta. Niña' | PUSH.COM.PH