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What ails the showbiz industry?

Angie Ferro (remember her as Nora Aunor's nemesis in "Atsay"?) and protégé Marife Necesito are more than mentor and student respectively. They feel so strongly for the ailing film industry, they mince no words in describing its ills in the hope of correcting them.

Angie, who plays the Morales matriarch and Marife, a slain farmer-leader's wife in the political drama "Ang Misis in Meyor", have a list of no-nos for the industry

On top of Angie's list are the scripts for film and TV.

"Many of the writers think in English," she laments. "So kapag sinulat na (in Tagalog), mali na."

This is why Angie admits she demands script changes which her detractors label as attitude problems.

"Minsan, yung iba, walang script. Mahirap yon. Nahihirapan ako sa sistema," the 75-year-old acting veteran explains.

Long wait

Then there's the long waiting time, especially for character actresses like her.

"Tingin nila sa artista, maghintay ka. Binabayaran ka," Angie rants. "Dapat may respeto sa artista."

Marife vents her share of frustrations on the star system.

"Akala mo kasama ka sa pelikula. So you block off your schedule. Tapos tatanggalin ka. Wala silang paninindigan. Hindi nila sinasabing hindi ka na kukunin."

Result: Marife and her kind end up jobless.

There's more.

No justice

"Punta ka sa auditions. Selected na kami . Hindi ka naman papa-artehin. Malalaman mo na lang iba na 'yung lead. There's no justice for me as an actor," she goes on.

Not so where international films are concerned. Marife notes that it doesn't matter if you're famous or not. What matters is you have acting talent.

But since the industry won't give talented but untried actresses like her a chance, Marife decided to take matters in her own hands. She produced the indie movie "Ang Misis in Meyor," which delves on political dynasties.

Its director, Archie del Mundo said he already got an invitation for the film to open the Fil-American Cine Festival in Los Angeles on Oct. 10. He adds that they are also eyeing the Cinemanila Film Festival on Nov. 16 to 23.

What makes filmmakers so sure "Misis" can represent the country in international filmfests?

"It shows the Pinoy type of corruption, the kind people have come to accept," relates del Mundo. "It's about the rich and the poor."

The yellow color scheme, he adds, also makes for a strong political statement.

Marife hopes the film succeeds so she can produce more films that will employ talented actors — and writers -- the star system won't give jobs to.

It's a goal that is lofty as it is ambitious. Most of all, it's worth a try.