Dannyka Manangan

Carla Abellana reacts to being dubbed 'The Patron Saint of Concerned Citizens' by netizens

Article (news)

Rhea Manila Santos

Push Team

<p>As part of the ensemble cast of the action drama <em>Selda Tres</em>, actress Carla Abellana shared how it feels to work with actor JM De Guzman for the first time. The 39-year-old actress plays the role of a lawyer who takes up a pro bono case defending inmates in director GB Sampedro’s latest film.</p><p>During the<em> Selda Tres</em> presscon held last September 19, Carla talked about her return to the big screen after two years. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-7" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOyW8NWEiy-/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A7%2C%22os%22%3A543198.599999994%2C%22ls%22%3A100177.89999999851%2C%22le%22%3A100181.79999999702%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="746" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-7" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DN5m01PgX7v/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A544265.6999999955%2C%22ls%22%3A100177.89999999851%2C%22le%22%3A100181.79999999702%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="925" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>“I play the role of Attorney Aica, isang batikang abogado. Katrabaho ko si Julius (played by JM De Guzman) sa isang law firm and magiging hindi lang malapit na kaibigan pero isa na rin sa talagang instrumento na tutulong kay Julius at sa iba pang mga kasamahan niya na naging kaibigan niya sa kulungan, yung mga tinatawag na tropang Tolonges. Parang nakapag-form sila ng group doon.</p><p>&quot;So isa si Atty. Aica sa mga tutulong sa kanila para makamit ang hustisya. So siya ang mag-re-represent aside from Julius, at yung tropang Tolonges.  As part of their friendship, magkakaroon din ng parang love interest na angle between attorney Aica and Julius so tingnan din natin kung saan mapupunta yung kanilang kuwento,” she said. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DO0owgMEVlf/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A514707.799999997%2C%22ls%22%3A100177.89999999851%2C%22le%22%3A100181.79999999702%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/5/7/exclusive-carla-abellana-on-having-six-dogs-and-six-cats-ni-isa-dun-wala-akong-binili-2040"><strong>READ: EXCLUSIVE: Carla Abellana on having six dogs and six cats: ‘Ni isa dun wala akong binili!’<br/></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>As with every new role, Carla shared how she was able to relate to her character in the most deepest sense.</p><p>“Of course hindi naman kailangan maging abogado para maka-relate sa role ng isang abogado. Pero siguro kung ano yung right natin, siyempre nakaka-relate ako. Kung ano yung ating ipagsisigawan, kung ano yung tama, kung ano yung legal, kung ano yung nararapat. Dun ako naka-relate. Talagang there’s always that need or that yearning to seek justice. Lahat po sa atin meron po niyan. Kasi ayaw natin na naloloko tayo, napagsasamantalahan. Pagka karapatan natin yung gusto natin ipaglaban. Yung lakas ng loob para ipagtanggol kung ano yung tama. Aside from that, yun yung pinaka relatable kay Aica,” she explained. </p><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOFwK29DPIm/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A476300.5%2C%22ls%22%3A100177.89999999851%2C%22le%22%3A100181.79999999702%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="510" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Known online for being deeply passionate about her advocacies and not being afraid to speak up when there are injustices in society, Carla said <em>Selda Tres</em> could not have come to the big screen at a better time than now.</p><p>“Blessing po ito. Sabi ko it’s meant to be, nagkataon na sa panahon ngayon na lalabas itong <em>Selda Tres</em>, very timely po siya. So all the more I am hoping, in a way, na ma-encourage niya ang mga manunuod ng pelikula, na piliin itong <em>Selda Tres</em>, hindi lang dahil timely siya, pero honestly injustice happens everyday. Kahit naman sabihin nating walang nangyayari sa bansa natin, applicable naman siya, relatable naman siya any time. it happens everyday ang injustice and dapat everyday din natin ipinaglalaban kung ano yung tama,” she explained. </p><p>After being dubbed online as the “Patron Saint for Concerned Citizens,” Carla embraceD the recognition with a smile.</p><p>“Patron Saint? Hindi ko alam kung saan nanggaling yan pero nabasa ko nga yan. Basta ako, ang lagi ko lang sinasabi is, of course, ipaglalaban ko kung ano yung tama, kung merong injustice man or makabuluhan, dapat pong ipaglaban at ipagtanggol. Gagamitin ko ang aking boses talaga at saka pangalan. May opportunity ako na ganun eh, na pinakikinggan ako. So I try my best na gamitin ito para sa tama at ipaglaban kung ano yung nararapat,” she said. </p><p>As part of this year’s Sinag Maynila Film Festival feature film lineup, Carla admitted she considered the inclusion a milestone in her 15-year acting career and why being considered for an acting award at the festival’s award night is the last thing on her mind right now.</p><p>“Actually, very surprising nung nalaman ko na parte siya ng feature film ng Sinag Maynila. Sabi ko, ‘Wow, what an honor!’ Parang ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng pelikula actually na naging parte ng Sinag Maynila, first time ko na maging parte nito. Kaya milestone siya sa akin. That alone is an award already.</p><p>&quot;Hindi nga ako familiar sa awards night eh. HIndi ko siya masyadong iniisip. Talagang focused ako sa pag-promote sa mga magiging screening schedules namin, sa mga cinemas kung saan kami lalabas. So yung awards night, hindi ko gaano iniisip yun.</p><p>&quot;Pero siyempre wala naman akong expectations. Hoping for the best for <em>Selda Tres</em>, pero sana mas dun ako sa sana mapanuod talaga siya than magkaroon kami ng awards or recognition or anything. Mas doon ako sa focus na ma-promote namin ng husto at mapanuod talaga siya,” she added. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/8/4/carla-abellana-reveals-she-is-dating-someone-it-s-about-time-1226"><strong>READ: Carla Abellana reveals she is dating someone: &#x27;It’s about time’</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Catch <em>Selda Tres</em>, at the Sinag Maynila 2025 film festival, which will run from September 24 to 30 at cinemas at Gateway 2, Trinoma, Market Market, SM MOA and Fairview, and Robinsons Manila and Antipolo. The film also stars JM de Guzman, Cesar Montano, Arron Villaflor, Kier Legaspi, Victor Neri, Isay Alvarez, Jeffrey Tam, Perla Bautista, and Mickey Ferriols. Directed by GB Sampedro, written by Eric Ramos, and produced by Five 2 Seven Entertainment Production. </p>

<p>Selda Tres actress Carla Abellana talks about why it’s important for her to be a voice for the masses and being part of her first Sinag Maynila Film Festival entry this year.</p>

Selda Tres actress Carla Abellana talks about why it’s important for her to be a voice for the masses and being part of her first Sinag Maynila Film Festival entry this year.