'Balota' starring Marian Rivera among Cinemalaya box office hits

“Balota,” Kip Oebanda's film starring Marian Rivera, is among the box office hits at this year’s Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

According to Cinemalaya in a Facebook post, “Balota” is one of two that emerged as the top box office films. The second blockbuster is comedy-drama film, “Gulay Lang, Manong!” directed by BC Amparado and starring Cedrick Juan and Perry Dizon.

“Balota” follows a land-grabbing tycoon and a former male sexy actor who are locked in a tight race for the mayoral seat of a small town.

Marian plays Teacher Emmy, who serves in the election. She runs into the wilderness with a ballot box, the last copy of the election results when violence in their town erupts.

The award-winning actress said the role brought back her fulfillment at work. She turned deglamorized for the film and also refused to have a body double.

Marian has been commended for her acting by fellow actors and fans.

"Balota" will be screening until August 11 in select Ayala Malls Cinemas.

—Nika Roque/JCB, GMA Integrated News