MANILA, Philippines — Former child star Xia Vigor is preparing for a busy December as she balances an international academic opportunity in Oxford with her return to the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
The young actress will reprise her role as Yesha alongside Aga Muhlach in Viva Films’ “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7,” one of the first four official entries in the 52nd MMFF.
Before learning of the film’s inclusion in the festival, Xia had already accepted an invitation to attend a weeklong youth program in Oxford sponsored by YouthFuel Global.
“I got an invitation to study for a week there and experience Oxford life as a student,” Xia said. “This offer came before I found out about the MMFF, so the schedules overlap.”
Despite the conflict, Xia said she hopes to fulfill both commitments.
“I want to do both because these are two big opportunities in my life,” she said.
According to Xia, YouthFuel Global will shoulder her airfare, accommodations and participation in classes led by Oxford professors focusing on critical thinking and public speaking.
She said she was the only Filipino invited to the program and plans to return to the Philippines immediately afterward to join promotional activities for the MMFF.
The actress, who is half-British, said she is excited about the opportunity to study independently and meet participants from different countries.
“I want to absorb everything I can learn there,” she said.
Xia believes her advocacy work with WWF and Save the Children helped attract the organization’s attention.
Her return to the MMFF also carries added significance. Xia was just 10 years old when the first “Miracle in Cell No. 7” became an MMFF entry in 2019.
“Now I understand how big the MMFF is and why so many people look forward to it every year,” she said.
The upcoming film, directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval from a screenplay by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario, will serve as both a prequel and sequel to the 2019 adaptation of the South Korean hit film.
Xia said the story will explore Yesha’s life after her father’s death while also revisiting Joselito’s life before becoming a parent.
“I think there’s still more to tell,” she said. “I hope people will give the movie a chance before judging it because they haven’t seen it yet.”
