Young actress Ina Feleo thought either Irma Adlawan of “Panggagahasa kay Fe” or Zoe Sandejas of “Dinig Sana Kita” would win Best Actress in the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival 2009.

“The only finalist movie in Cinemalaya that I didn’t see was ‘Colorum’ so I knew how each actor fared with his performance. I thought Irma or Zoe would win that is why I didn’t even beg off taping for ‘Bud Brothers’ that day of the awarding ceremonies. I didn’t think I’d win,” she told Manila Bulletin Online in an exclusive interview.

The Cinemalaya jury thought otherwise and they gave Ina her second Best Actress trophy for playing the role of a pawnshop employee in the film “Sanglaan.” Her first Best Actress was for the 2007 Cinemalaya movie, “Endo.”

Though she is modest about her victory, Ina’s award-winning portrayal in “Sanglaan” was a product of much thought.

I analyzed what made me win in ‘Endo’ and applied more of it in ‘Sanglaan.’ Medyo mas may pressure nga sa akin compared to the others because I didn’t want people who liked me in ‘Endo’ to think that my victory in that film was a fluke, she said.

Ina frowned on insinuations that she had been winning in the Cinemalaya Festival because her mom Laurice Guillen is the competition director

“First of all, my mom is not part of the jury. Second, she and my Dad (actor Johnny Delgado) are my worst critics. Di nila ako bina-baby when it comes to my performances. They are past being biased when it comes to these things,” she said.

The actress said that at home, she and her parents hardly talk about actors’ performances, but the films as a whole.

“We only spoke of my performance in ‘Sanglaan,’ once. My mom thought I did a better job there than in ‘Endo’ while my Dad said there were some scenes in the movie in which he felt I could’ve done better.”

When asked how she feels about being called Princess of Indie Films, Ina said she considers it an honor.

“Sa indie film kasi ako nagsimula. My role in ‘Endo’ was my very first lead role so yun ang nagbigay sa akin ng pinakamalaking break ko. I wouldn’t claim the title for myself, of course, but it is flattering to even be considered for it,” she said.

Apart from ABS-CBN TV show “Bud Brothers,” Ina is part of the “Agimat” TV series with actor Coco Martin.