Iza clinches top slot in movie

"It is an honour for GMA Films to sign up Iza because she is one of the best actresses of her generation. Her talent has not gone unnoticed, not only in the Philippines but internationally as well," says GMA Films president,

Annette Gozon-Abrogar.

Iza feels happy and grateful over the trust GMA has accorded her. "I am very honoured to be working with the best and the kindest people in the industry. I feel their support and love in every project that I do. Whatever the job handed to me is, I make sure that I always give it my best shot."

The original choice for Batanes was JudyAnn Santos (or Juday) who had to back out due to previous commitments. It was she who suggested to get Iza for which the latter felt very flattered. "It was extremely nice of Juday entrusting me with something she likes to do," she remarks.

The only hitch then was that Iza was Hollywood-bound to do 'Echo'. As fate willed it, things were ironed out and filming of Batanes progressed despite the ever-changing weather condition in the island paradise, north of Manila. So, what is Batanes all about? It is essentially a picturesque romance exploring the intimate portrait of a woman's relationship with the ocean.

Iza plays the character of Pam which was completely devastated when her husband Rico (Joem Bascon) did not return from fishing. She blames the sea and decides to leave but before boarding the boat, she realises that the sea is laughing at her defeat. She changes her mind and stays, unable to forget the memory of Rico.

On the anniversary of his death, she sails to neighbouring Ivujos Island and gets stranded due to a storm. There she sees a man lying face down on the sand. It is the Taiwanese fisherman, Kao (played by Ken Chu) whom she drags to her boat and takes back with her. The villagers are reluctant to accept the Taiwanese since most of them fish illegally in the waters of Batanes. As Pam tries to take care of Kao, she starts falling for him amidst language and cultural differences.