Pilar Pilapil in a scene from ‘Leona Calderon’

MANILA, Philippines — After almost a year of absence, Pilar Pilapil bounces back with an indie film.

During our recent interview with Pilar, she looked very composed, hearty and bubbly, with nary a trace of the traumatic carjack and near-death assault on her one day in April last year. She's raring to go back to acting.

With her were the producer (Andi Villalba) and the director (Jowee Morel) of the indie film, “Leona Calderon,” a migration drama about the health care issue encountered by OFWs which needs to be addressed by the Philippine government.

“The film is just fantastic. It was pure fun doing it. We shot some scenes in Malapascua, my island resort in Cebu, and the rest of the principal photography was done in London. It was a perfect breather for me. Such a feel-good movie!” Pilar says about the film.

With Pilar in the cast are London-based Filipino stage-film artist Junix Inocian and British octogenarian stage and film actress Virginia McKenna.

“She’s a very warm person,” Pilar said of McKenna. “A very simple woman with no celebrity air at all despite the fact that she is the recipient of a Sir Laurence Olivier Best Actress award for ‘The King and I’ opposite Yul Bryner in London’s West End and the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E) for her thespic achievements. She is also a Golden Globe Best Actress nominee for the environmental film ‘Born Free.’”

McKenna plays an old woman abandoned by her family and left to fend for herself.

“Leona Calderon” will premiere next month in Dubai.

Alexander Writes ‘Pusong Wagas’ Music 

Ballet Philippines comes up with an all-new, all-original contemporary ballet entitled “Pusong Wagas” to be staged at the CCP Little Theater on Feb. 17-19.

Cynthia Alexander, who wrote its music, joins Palanca Hall of Famer, playwright and poet Nicolas B. Pichay and celebrated choreographer Alden Lugnasin in the production while Paul Alexander Morales is Ballet Philippines’ artistic director.

Alexander once played gong and bass for her brother, Joey Ayala at Ang Bagong Lumad. In 2010, she released a live album, “Walk Down the Road,” to commemorate a decade of songwriting. Cynthia is also a visual artist and the ad hoc curator of the Conspiracy Walls arts space in Manila, and her visual artwork toured with the Bae Mindanao exhibit in Rome and Andorra in 2011.

“I have always written sound for words, but writing music for dance is experiential, magical and pure metamorphosis,” Alexander said.

Alternating the role of Manda in “Pusong Wagas” are principal dancers Carissa Adea and Katherine Trofeo, and as Luyong, soloist Richardson Yadao and company member Earl John Arisola. Rounding off the list of collaborators are scenographer Mio Infante and costume designer Tuxqs Rutaquio.

“Pusong Wagas” has performances on Feb. 17 and 18 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Feb. 19 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketworld.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 16, go to jeweller Mrs. Erlinda Oledan, actress-singer Shermaine Santiago, Robert M. Young, Winston Marbella, Tessie Luz, Mrs. Lily A. Foronda of San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, Lulu Reyes, Julie Esguerra, Bob Velasco Jr., Grace Ramirez, Thelma Matias, Rafael C. Aquino, and Mary Jane Papin... Happy wedding anniversary to Gabriel and Margott Ripoll... Belated b-day greetings to Lovejoie G. Juan (Feb. 14)...