Miriam saves lives

iGMA: How Miriam Quiambao saves lives

Author: Jason John S. Lim
Column: Entertainment

Bilang 'Nurse Betty,' Miriam Quiambao takes it upon herself to isolate the danger that is known as Patient X. Pero it's not just on screen that Miriam saves people. She tries to make a difference in real life too.

Aside from being busy with the movie Patient X, naging busy din recently si Miriam sa kanyang efforts para tumulong sa mga naapektuhan ng mga bagyong "Ondoy" and "Pepeng."

"When events like these come, something very traumatic for all of us, the situation just compels you to do something," said Miriam. "You can't just sit and wait, or sit and watch. You have to do something."

Miriam told iGMA na she planned raw talaga na mag-start ng sariling relief operation during the height of the Ondoy crisis. But because of previous engagements, Miriam said she wasn't able to do it.

"Pinasa ko na lang lahat sa World Vision. Doon ako sumuporta, 'yung mga volunteers doon namin dinirect. Nag-collect ako ng mga donations, binigay ko rin sa World Vision," paliwanag niya

At bukod dito, Miriam turned her social networking sites into a one-stop shop for information relating to Ondoy where people who know of places where people need help, or where people can help, can post their information too.

"Nakita natin 'yung bayanihan ng lahat ng tao," she recalled. "Ke mayaman, ke mahirap--lahat tumutulong. Kasi nga kailangan gumalaw e. I'm so happy kasi everybody stepped up into leadership and nabuhay 'yung bayanihan that is very characteristic of our country."

The Reel Savior

Meanwhile, sa Patient X, gagampanan ni Miriam ang role ni Nurse Betty. "Ako 'yung Chief Nurse ng hospital. Ako 'yung nag-aalaga at nag-a-isolate sa Patient X, para hindi mamatay lahat ng tao sa mundo," she shared during the press conference of the movie last October 15.

Kung para sa 'yo, that sounds too much like other horror movies, Miriam has this to say: "Ibahin niyo po itong movie na directed by Yam Laranas."

If you've seen The Echo, Miriam compares the feel of their movie to that of the Hollywood remake of Yam's first foray into the horror genre: Sigaw, which also starred Richard Gutierrez.

"The Echo would be an intro to what Patient X would be." Miriam continued, "Expect that Patient X would be just as thrilling, [that it] will push you to the edge of your seats."

Although Miriam admitted to not having seen the whole movie yet, she said that based on what she has seen so far, "Sobra na akong natakot, na-paranoid. Nagka-nightmares na ako sa paggawa ko ng movie na 'to! What more pag pinanood niyo na 'yung buo with all of the effects in?"

On Direk Yam

Miriam is all praises para sa director nila na super professional daw at makikita ito sa order ng production. Si Direk Yam daw brought over the Hollywood way of filming movies--structured, scheduled, and fully in support of the artists involved.

"Within 16 hours, tapos na agad ang shoot. May oras para makapag-pahinga 'yung crew, 'yung talent. Mas lalo naming naibibigay 'yung sarili namin doon sa role," she shared.

Dagdag pa niya, "'Pag nakikita talaga [ni Direk Yam] na importante 'yung scene, kakausapin niya 'yung actor. Very detailed siya when it comes to his requirements for a particular scene."

Miriam added na litaw na litaw daw ang background ni Direk Yam sa advertising.

"And ang maganda sa kanya, 'pag nakita niya na naibigay mo kung ano 'yung gusto niya, sasabihin niya sa 'yo," according to Miriam sabay sabing hindi raw nagkulang si Direk Yam sa pagbibigay ng positive feedback sa cast.

"So bilang isang actor, nakaka-motivate kasi ibig sabihin, napi-please namin 'yung director and lalo namin napapaganda 'yung movie," patuloy niya.

Hiling ni Miriam sa fans, suportahan ang kanyang first horror movie na Patient X when it comes out on October 28.

"First horror movie ko ito...First tambalan [rin] ni Richard and Cristine [Reyes]. Suportahan po natin ang pelikulang Pilipino, lalo na po ito ay for international release," aniya.

Catch the cast of Patient X at Market Market on Saturday, October 24. And on October 25, the cast will be at SM Manila for a mall show and the movie's premiere night.