Kakki Teodoro recalls hardest part preparing for Himala role
Nagkaroon bigla ng ingay ang pangalang Kakki Teodoro dahil sa panalo niya bilang best supporting actress sa nakaraang 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal para sa film musical na Isang Himala.
Marami ang natuwa sa naging reaction ni Kakki noong banggitin ang pangalan niya bilang winner. Kitang-kita kasi ang authentic reaction at ramdam ang raw emotion sa kanyang acceptance speech.
WATCH: Kakki Teodoro wins 50th MMFF Best Actress in a Supporting Role award
History making ang panalo ni Kakki sa MMFF, dahil naulit niya ang panalo ni Gigi Dueñas as Nimia after 42 years para sa pelikulang Himala na naging official entry sa 1982 MMFF.
Sa naging eklusibong panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) kay Kakki via Facebook Messenger nitong January 7, 2025, binalikan namin ang gabing iyon at tinanong kung ano ang tumatakbo sa isipan niya bago i-announce ang pangalan niya?
“So many things going on… I was looking at the list of names on display, grateful to be in between those amazing line-up of actresses of different ages and backgrounds, and at the same time, wondering why Bituin Escalante and Neomi Gonzales were not nominated with me.
“I believe they deserve to be nominated too,” sabi ni Kakki na nagulat noong siya ang manalo sa best supporting actress category.
Sa rami nga raw ng pinasalamatan niya sa kanyang acceptance speech, marami pa raw siyang nakalimutang banggitin, tulad ng kanilang producers na naniwala sa kanilang pelikula.
“I forgot to thank Ms. Madonna Tarrayo and our producers which I listed to be first! I went straight to MMFF then Direk Pepe Diokno, Direk Carlo Mendoza, and the rest of the list.
“I wanted to thank our producers, Unitel Straightshooters, Kapitol Films, Creazion Studios, especially Ms. Madonna Tarrayo with Ms. Grace and Noemi, for being with us since the beginning. Taking the risk by producing this film, and taking care of us for the entire filming process.”
For her first acting award on film, paano siya nag-celebrate noong gabing iyon?
“I went to the hotel suite with my Himaloves, hugged them, cried with them, ate food, and drank a bit of wine.
“Then the next day, went to a screening hosted by Toff de Venecia with all our theater friends, brought my trophy, cried with them again, ate at Mary Grace, and then slept and recovered with antibiotics until New Year’s Eve where I celebrated finally with family!
“I am still celebrating and reading all the messages until now which I missed while sick and sleeping.”
GETTING THE ROLE
Marami nga raw pinagdaanan si Kakki bago napunta sa kanya ang role na Nimia, ang village prostitute sa stage musical pa lang noon na Himala, Isang Musikal noong 2018.
Kuwento niya: “It was a long audition process in 2018, with about three callbacks with theater director Ed Lacson Jr. There were different scene tests with other actors/auditionees and song performances during the audition process.
“Prior to auditioning, I’ve already been reading the script in Ricky Lee’s books, I’ve seen the film [Himala] a number of times and have been preparing vocally with voice lessons.”
Ang pinakamahirap daw sa pagganap niya bilang si Nimia ay yung pagkontrol niya ng kanyang emosyon habang inaawit ang “Ako’y Mayroong Kwento.”
“The hardest part of playing Nimia is singing ‘Ako’y Mayroong Kwento’ without fully breaking down because it is so emotionally charged.
“Ang dami mong bitbit na emotion at history in a short song that sounds like a lullaby, that I sing with the goal to comfort a friend while also healing myself little by little.
“I remember during the early rehearsal process, hindi ko matapos-tapos ang kanta kasi umiiyak na ako unang linya pa lang.
“As in, hagulgol. I needed to sing that over and over again, just to let all the emotions out, and leaving just enough for it to be fresh and authentic every single show night.
“There is a bit of Nimia inside of me, and through the years of being her, she kept blossoming and affecting me as well.
“We are both honest, vocal women. We are both hustlers in life. Palaban kami pareho at hindi sumusuko. We love our friends dearly. She will always find hope in moving-on, sa kabila ng mga pagsubok sa buhay.”
Noong si Kakki pa rin ang gumanap na Nimia sa film version ng musical, pagkakataon niya itong makatrabaho ang award-winning and critically-acclaimed director na si Jose “Pepe” Diokno.
“It was amazing. I would work with him again in a heartbeat if he would have me for his future works.
“He is so clear with his directions, he asks me the right questions, he inquires about the character, he listens, he collaborates, he argues respectfully.
“I think ultimately, it was the respect he gave from the very beginning to all of the actors and his willingness to collaborate in every step that made it such a wonderful experience working with him.”
IN LOVE WITH ACTING
Nagsimula sa teatro in 2006 si Kakki via Repertory Philippines.
Bukod sa Himala, Isang Musikal, ilan sa musicals na kinabilangan niya ay ang Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah: Yun Lang, Ang Huling El Bimbo, Bar Boys: A New Musical, and Pingkian: Isang Musikal kunsaan gumanap siya bilang si Dr. Jose Rizal.
Nanalo naman ng Gawad Buhay Best Actress in a Play si Kakki para sa Every Brilliant Thing.
“Ako din ay naging vocalist for Hong Kong Disneyland noong 2008-2009 for the launch of High School Musical Live. I was also known for being Ate Maya sa new cast ng Batibot sa TV5 noong 2010.
“I am also an events host, food and wellness entrepreneur [Diet Diva PH], and an advocate for the arts and mental health.”
Almost 20 years na sa entertainment industry, inamin ng 37-year-old actress na lumaki siyang mahal ang pag-arte sa entablado, television, at pelikula.
“I grew up watching Disney movies and would watch them every single day—Little Mermaid, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty—and I would sing the songs daily.
“I also grew up watching and learning from Batibot. So ever since I was young, I’ve always gravitated towards performing as a form of self-expression.
“My mom and titas encouraged it. It has always been a source of fun and joy, and allowed me to make friends.
“After taking a few summer workshops, I realized I loved acting in high school because I also enjoyed transforming into someone else.
“I liked living different lives and delivering beautiful lines and living out characters onstage with other people who share the same passion, in shows that people enjoy watching for a few hours.
“Being people/characters that other people can relate to, making them feel seen and entertained. And sometimes, characters that create a lasting, healing impact. I love acting for all these gifts.”
the challenges Kakki went through
Dumaan at naranasan din ni Kakki ang ilang mga pagsubok—physically, emotionally, and mentally—dahil sa kanyang pagiging alagad ng sining.
“My journey had its challenges. I’ve had to deal with countless rejections, toxic work environments, overusing my body to the point of sickness, a few insecurities, loss of voice, loss of funds, loss of joy from burnout.
“I’ve dealt with vocal nodules where I was always losing my voice by the end of a production, or would even take steroids to continue my shows.
“I’ve had to be on vocal rest for two months and went through vocal therapy for a whole year after that.
“And even after that, I lost confidence in singing and I felt like, I don’t know how to act anymore.
“I also went on a two-year hiatus also just to find the joy and love again for theater. Everything I went through was necessary to build me into the person and the actor I am now.
“I also used to be a workaholic. But now I’ve learned the value of rest and taking breaks. I learned to prioritize self-care. I learned to focus on work, but not making it the ONLY point of life.
“I also give myself a pat on the back for always being intentional about every step and learning from everything. For always having the courage to speak up or simply leave workplaces that feel unsafe, and for building my core group of friends within the industry who I trust completely.
“We take care of each other, support each other and speak well about each other, and speak the truth to each other as well.
“You need real friends within and outside of this work and I’m glad I have my tribes.”
what’s next for kakki
Ilan sa mga hinahangaan ni Kakki locally sa pag-arte mapa-entablado, television, at pelikula ay sina Dolly de Leon, Roselyn Perez, Jenny Jamora, Jodi Sta. Maria, Angel Aquino, Shiela Francisco, Bituin Escalante, Neomi Gonzales, at Aicelle Santos. Kasama rin ang mga kaibigan niyang sina Joanna Ampil, Nar Cabico, at Red Concepcion.
Sina Cynthia Erivo, Sophie Okonedo, Michaela Coel, Jessie Mueller, Kate Winslet, Florence Pugh, Toni Colette, at Emma Stone ang mga paborito niyang international stars.
Kung sakali raw na hindi nagtagumpay si Kakki sa kanyang pagiging aktres, baka raw pasukin niya ang pagiging television news anchor o magtrabaho siya bilang producer or copywriter sa isang advertising agency.
Ilan sa mga plano ni Kakki sa taong 2025 ay mas maging aktibo pa sa paggawa ng TV shows at pelikula.
Ilan sa mga nagawa na niyang TV show ay Batibot, Be Careful With My Heart, Ipaglaban Mo, K-Love, at Senior High.
Nakasama naman siya sa mga pelikulang Enteng Kabisote 10, Bliss, A Very Good Girl, at Five Breakups and a Romance.
“I like to do more meaningful film and television work. I would love to work again with Dreamscape and Director Onat Diaz on a teleserye because Senior High was such an incredible experience.
“Hoping for more events to host. Maybe have space to host a new show on TV and also post faster on social media. I have unposted albums that are almost two years old na!
“I also have two exciting theater projects in the 2nd half of the year.”
Kasama rin sa mga plano ni Kakki this year ay ang self-care.
“I plan to be healthier also and make better food choices, and workout regularly again. It really makes me live better when my exercise regimen is better.
“Rest more, travel more. I would love to visit New York City again. Best if I could work on a project abroad and take a bit of time to explore afterward. And also to upgrade my business Diet Diva.”