It was a night dripping with glamour and villainy as Netflix rolled out the black carpet for the grand ball of “Kontrabida Academy” at The Peninsula Manila in Makati.
The event gathered both legendary kontrabidas and fresh faces to celebrate the release of the new film directed by award-winning filmmaker Chris Martinez.
The movie, which premiered on Netflix on September 11, follows Gigi (Barbie Forteza), a restaurant worker who is transported through a mysterious television into a school for on-screen villains.
Inside the academy, she discovers new purpose and a way to fight back against her enemies. Co-starring Eugene Domingo, the film puts kontrabidas front and center in a witty, campy, yet heartfelt comedy.
The ball became a reunion of screen legends. Celia Rodriguez, Odette Khan, Rez Cortez, Michael de Mesa, Pinky Amador, Dimples Romana, Jean Garcia, Gladys Reyes, Carmina Villarroel, and Mylene Dizon were all in attendance, many appearing in cameos in the movie. They were joined by younger stars Xyriel Manabat, Myrtle Sarrosa, Ysabel Ortega, and Jameson Blake.
One of the most touching moments came when veteran actress Celia Rodriguez paid homage to the late Cherie Gil, whom she called the “undisputed queen of kontrabidas.” Rodriguez shared that if Gil were alive, she would certainly have been part of the film. Michael de Mesa, Gil’s brother, thanked the production for honoring her memory with a special tribute woven into the movie, a reminder of her indelible mark on Philippine cinema.
Domingo, who has long collaborated with Chris Martinez since their university days, said her decision to join Kontrabida Academy was easy: “I really know that when he writes something, it’s always good and he delivered.” Known for her comedic timing and versatility, she explained that preparing for a kontrabida role was no small feat: “You need the full look: wig, makeup, even inner-wear and then you level up the acting because it’s campy comedy. Not easy, but worth it.”
Forteza echoed the sentiment, sharing the difficulty of balancing both bida and kontrabida personas: “Mahirap pareho bida and kontrabida. One moment kawawa ka, the next glam na glam villain. The transitions are tough physical, technical, emotional but so much fun.”
For both actresses, playing kontrabidas goes beyond theatrics. Forteza believes Filipinos connect to villains because everyone has a bit of one inside them: “We’ve all said some of those iconic kontrabida lines at some point in our lives.” Domingo added cultural perspective: “Historically, we were colonized for so long, so we’re not always vocal. But when we watch kontrabidas, we see the honesty and boldness we wish we could say ourselves.”
While Forteza admitted to drawing inspiration from Hollywood icons like Emily Blunt in The Devil Wears Prada and Cate Blanchett in Cinderella, Domingo said she relied entirely on the guidance of director Martinez: “I just followed him and hoped I did it well,” she quipped.
Martinez, known for playful yet sharp storytelling in films like Kimmy Dora and Here Comes the Bride, brings the same satirical flair here.
Kontrabida Academy is both comedy and commentary, spotlighting the enduring power of villains in Philippine entertainment.
Beyond the laughter, both stars hope the film resonates in deeper ways. Forteza reflected: “It’s about self-worth. Sometimes you need to say, ‘Tama na,’ and stand your ground.” Domingo agreed: “I become a kontrabida when I see something unfair. That’s when you need to speak up.”
With its mix of nostalgia, camp, social commentary, and cameos from some of the country’s most iconic villains, Kontrabida Academy is more than a comedy, it’s a love letter to kontrabidas who defined generations of storytelling while paving the way for new ones to take the spotlight.