BY NEIL RAMOS
Ryza Cenon is honored to portray the lead character in “Bella Bandida” after learning it was created by National Artist Francisco V. Coching.
Coching, a novelist and artist noted for creating such memorable characters such as “Hagibis” and “Pedro Penduko,” is considered among pillars of local comics.
“Siyempre na-excite ako nang unang ilapit sa akin ang project kasi bihira naman na maalok ka na gumawa ng something na recognized na as a classic, something na parte na ng kultura natin,” Cenon said.
Of course, this is not the first time “Bella Bandida” made it to screen.
Back in 1971, sexy siren Rosanna Ortiz portrayed the character very much like it was created by Coching: a sexy, short shorts-wearing, gun-toting, motorcycle-riding, fighter of a woman.
Cenon said their version is tamer.
“Ang sa amin kasi pang-TV so, hindi ganun ka-sexy yung ‘Bella Bandida’ ko,” she said.
If anything, this generations’ version of the heroine is more politically and socially astute.
“Sa tingin ko dapat panoorin ito ng mga tao kasi makikita nilang sinasalamin nito ang nagyayari sa ngayon sa lipunan,” said Cenon.
“At saka si ‘Bella Bandida’ kinakatawan talaga nito ang tinatawag natin na women empowerment na sa tingin ko e, magugustuhan ng maraming kababaihan.”
Also starring Josef Elizalde and AJ Muhlach, as directed by Raffy Francisco and co-director Temi Abad, “Bella Bandida” will start airing on TV5, Nov. 25 at 9: 30 p.m.