Geline Salac

Article (news)

Carmi Martin

Leah C. Salterio

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746489280622IMG_9892.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:500px"/></div><div><br/></div><p>When veteran actress Carmi Martin was invited to essay the role of a modern-day lola in the period flick, “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” she demanded a look-test. The role was originally offered to Nova Villa who was not available.</p><p>“I want to make sure that I’m happy with my look in this film,” Martin told ABS-CBN News. “I also want to make sure that we will no longer make the necessary adjustments when we get to the set.</p><p>“I want to make sure, as an actor who have been in the industry for a long time, I came prepared and happy with my look.</p><p>“I hope I get to inspire lolas to be funky and sexy. I got to really enjoy portraying my role as lola Naty. The lolas now still have significance in their lives, community and society.”</p><p>Writer-producer Rossana Hwang changed the whole wardrobe for the lola character of Martin.</p><p>“Carmi made me change my mind,” said Hwang. “I made her a funky lola. She was very cooperative with everything. She studies her lines. She made me very happy.</p><p>“I know she’s used to work with big productions, but she gave our humble production a chance. I thank her for lending her presence to this movie.”</p><p>When the lola role was first offered to Martin in July 2024, she was shuttling her time between the sitcom, “Ang Himala ni Niño” and the Netflix film, Jason Paul Laxamana’s “Sosyal Climbers” at the same time. </p><p>“Sabay sabay when I did everything,” Martin recalled. “I was still taking up acting workshop continuously. I’m very passionate with that.</p><p>“I accepted ‘Isang Komedya sa Langit’ because it was going to be a challenge for me. I am not typecasted as a rich, sosyal and sexy lady or formerly a beauty queen.</p><p>“I personally prepared my bags for my roles, with three different sets of wardrobe with the names of my characters. So even my helper will not pick out the wrong bag for my shooting with the correct tag for the project.”</p><p>For her part, Martin keeps the faith that “Isang Komedya sa Langit” will make money and bring back the public to watch movies again in the theaters.</p><p>“Happy naman ako with this project, my first time to play a lola,” said the 61-year-old actress. “Even if limited lang ang shooting days namin, I made it a point to really coordinate with our producer.”</p><p>Martin was happy that all the cast members delivered for their roles in “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” slated to be shown on May 28. “All of the actors are very professional,” she beamed. “Masaya naman kaming lahat in the shoot.”</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1746490096146IMG_9878.jpeg" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>She accepted the project because her role incorporates the importance of respecting one’s parents.</p><p>“I hope maibalik pa rin ‘yun because I noticed among the young people, it’s ‘me, myself and I’,” maintained Martin. “Nawawala na ang mga values. The importance of this film is to remind young people to respect their parents and other people.”</p><p>Martin added, “Communication through social media is what’s happening these days. How many likes that they can make. That’s where they look for their worth. Nawawala ang ang pakikipag-kapwa tao. Sana ‘yun ang maibalik.”</p><p>Director Roi Paolo Calilong hopes that “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” a comedy satire, will become an inspiration to Filipinos to bring back the essence values of being Filipino.</p><p>Jaime Fabregas is Father Emmanuel Garcia, Edgar Allan Guzman is Father Juan Borromeo, Gene Padilla is Father Javier Salas and John Medina is Father Paolo Pascual. Akihiro Blanco is Brother Marco.</p><p>Now that she’s a senior citizen, Martin does not live with a “plus one” partner at home. “That’s better for me,” she said.</p><p>A Born-Again Christian, Martin is careful about accepting and playing just any role. “I recently accepted a role that is mama-san and we shot in Japan,” she said.</p><p>“But I’m very particular about the role. It was about OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) and it has a nice message.”</p><p>“Tell me exactly what is my role so I will not make a scene when I arrive on the set. I don’t want to back out because the role is against my Christian faith.”</p><p>“Isang Komedya sa Langit” was filmed in July last year. “Nothing was difficult to combine comedy, faith and love for country,” said Calilong. “We are like that as Filipinos, even if we have different religions or provinces, we are always a happy bunch. Always grateful.”</p><p>“Isang Komedya sa Langit” is inspired by Hwang’s novel, “The Lost Saints” (2021), that promises a light-hearted yet thought-provoking journey through time, faith and the Filipino spirit.</p><div> </div><div><strong>FROM THE ARCHIVES:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HckaCadCC_0?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RThAQlOh6HQ?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9XZ8Plf58jk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>When veteran actress Carmi Martin was invited to essay the role of a modern-day lola in the period flick, “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” she demanded a look-test.</p>

When veteran actress Carmi Martin was invited to essay the role of a modern-day lola in the period flick, “Isang Komedya sa Langit,” she demanded a look-test.

Carmi Martin, at 61, plays lola for the first time

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Carmi Martin, at 61, plays lola for the first time

Leah C. Salterio

Published May 06, 2025 12:07 PM PHT

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Carmi Martin

Isang Komedya sa Langit

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