Annika Co leads coming-of-age Sine Kabataan 8 finalist ‘Blooming!’
Annika Co leads coming-of-age Sine Kabataan 8 finalist ‘Blooming!’
SINEGANG.ph published this press release as sponsored by Project Bulaklak. No staff writer participated in writing this article.
Child actress Annika Co will lead the Sine Kabataan 8 short film entry Blooming! directed by Ronnie Ramos and co-written by Jo Ramos, based on a story by Albert Saludaga.
Co came to prominence as the winner of the It’s Showtime segment Mini Miss U Daily in 2023. She captured the hearts of many Filipino households for her touching wisdom at a young age.
She later signed with Viva Artists Agency and appeared in the TV series Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa (2024) by Albert S. Langitan and Roderick P. Lindayag, as well as in the superhero film Penduko (2023) by Jason Paul Laxamana.
Following her remarkable performance in Antoinette Jadaone’s women-focused feature Sunshine (2024), Co is set to take a further step in her acting career as she stars in her first-ever short film—one that also centers on women and their experiences.
Blooming! tells the story of a budding girl, Nena, who is tasked to identify the different parts of a flower. Much to her surprise, she unexpectedly confronts probing questions about her own body.
Ramos is known for creating films that tackle personal and social themes through a youthful lens. His short film Happy M(others) Day (2024) was a finalist and Audience Choice Award winner at The Manila Film Festival.
He also wrote and directed Ang Alamat Kung Bakit Kalabaw Lang ang Tumatanda (2023), which was a finalist in the Narrative Category of the 36th Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula and Cinema Rehiyon, among the few.
“[S]obrang excited ako sa talk back kasi ang dami kong gustong [i-kwento] kung gaano kagaling at katalino si [A]nnika!!” Ramos shared in his X account.
The writer-director also expressed gratitude to his all-women producing team: Jo Ramos, Annecy Bautista, Rafaela Abucejo, and Aubrey Soriano.
Blooming! is set to premiere during Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino Month in September 2025.
For those interested in supporting the project, Team Blooming is still accepting monetary contributions through their official channels: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/176VZxfXjL/
