After the unjust treatment she felt she got from a recent beauty pageant held at the Araneta Coliseum, Binibining Pilipinas-Universe Maria Isabel Lopez feels vindicated after she walked down the red carpet of the 62nd Cannes Film Festival in Palais des Festivals during the premiere of her movie “Kinatay (The Execution of P),”

"Kinatay" is an official Philippine entry to the main derby of the prestigious international film event.

Lopez plays a pivotal role in internationally-acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza’s opus, a Manila prostitute mangled by a group of unscrupulous cops. “Kinatay…” serves as her first film with Mendoza, who personally handpicked her to portray the most sensitive character in the story.

Maribel sobbed when she talked over the phone from Cannes.

“My God! Akala ko, wala nang magandang mangyayari sa buhay ko. Of course, I am happy with my life. Kaya lang, ang daming nag-discriminate sa akin. Iniyak ko ‘yon. I felt I was alone kahit marami ring friends na nagbigay ng inspiration sa akin. Minaliit nila ang pagkatao ko. Pero hindi nila maaalis sa kasaysayan na beauty titleholder din ako,” she said.

Lopez said she has already forgiven the people who maltreated her during the coronation night of the 2009 Binibining Pilipinas but asked them to be kinder to all kinds of people.

“Maikli lang ang buhay. We should make the most of it. We should be compassionate to other people,” she exclaimed.

The beauty queen turned actress was very proud when she attended the premiere showing of “Kinatay…” last Sunday at the French Riviera. She was with the cast and production company of the film which included Mendoza, actors Coco Martin and Mercedes Cabral, producer Ferdinand Lapuz, and French investor Didier Costet.

“Grabe, I felt like a star in Cannes. I have so many interviews until now. We had presscons and we were treated well,” Maribel said.

The negative criticisms garnered by the film from foreign critics, are just part of an artistic endeavor. “Kailangang may criticism para ma-improve ang sining natin,” she pointed out.