MANILA, Philippines - Horror actress Lilia Cuntapay is grateful for the big movie break given to her as the lead star of the independent film “Six Degrees of Separation of Lilia Cuntapay.”

“Sobrang saya ang naramdaman ko dahil siguro at long last napansin din ‘yung paghihirap ko,” she said during Cinema One’s press conference.

According to Cuntapay, she is truly grateful for this opportunity because the movie paved way to more projects.

“Ito nga po ang buena mano ko ‘yung ‘Wansapanataym.’ Tapos tomorrow again hindi ko nga alam kasi maybe tomorrow maybe meron akong taping. Lubos nga po ang pagpapasalamat ko,” she said.

The 76-year-old actress also admitted that she did not expect to receive an award for her debut film.

She said she was surprised that she was hailed as best actress at the recently concluded 2011 Cinema One Originals Festival.

“Nagulat nga po ako... Hindi ko nga alam mga anak ano, baka nagkamali ang mga jurors. So thank you na rin... Thank you very much sa kanila,” she said.

Meanwhile, Cuntapay is scheduled to fly in to Cebu this weekend for the premiere of “Six Degrees of Separation of Lilia Cuntapay” and 11 other independent movies there.

According to Cinema One Channel Head Ronald Arguelles, they are actually planning to commercially release the film within the year.

“Naghahanap na kami ng playdate para gumawa ng commercial release ng movie. Baka after na ng summer,” he said. -- Report from Marie Lozano, ABS-CBN News