Meet Kakki Teodoro, MMFF 2024 Best Supporting Actress

(SPOT.ph) When Kakki Teodoro accepted her MMFF 2024 Best Supporting Actress trophy, she said, "Ako po si Kakki Teodoro. Ako po ay 37 years old. Ako po ay mula sa mundo ng teatro. Nais ko lamang po magpakilala sa inyong lahat." 

For many, this year's Metro Manila Film Festival would indeed be their introduction to the bubbly, passionate, and talented young thespian, specifically via her performance as the sex worker Nimia in Pepe Diokno's now acclaimed movie musical, Isang HImala. But Teodoro is really far from a newbie. This spunky lady is backed by a professional acting career that spans almost two decades. And it's also not her first time to play Nimia: she's played it before onstage. The 2024 MMFF entry Isang Himala, in case you didn't know, is an adaptation of Himala: Isang Musikal which in turn is the 1982 classic Himala reimagined for the stage.

Also read: Review: Isang Himala is Technically Impressive, Wonderfully Acted

Before she was Nimia, there was Kakki

But back to Teodoro. Years before she took on the role of the raunchy nightclub owner in the Ricky Lee-penned stage and movie musical, she was just Kathleen Clare Teodoro, an only child to a single mother and the only one in both her immediate family who dared pursue a career in the arts and the entertainment biz.

She was always a "musical child." She performed in school programs and memorized Disney films—and their songs—by heart. This inclination for being in the spotlight, combined with her admiration for Korina Sanchez and Loren Legarda, nudged the grade schooler Kakki to dream of becoming a newscaster. Which eventually led her to pursue a Communications degree at Ateneo De Manila University. While she didn't end up being the TV anchor she dreamed she would be (she shifted to the advertising side of her Comms degree later on), her time in college would still set her on the path that would lead to where she is today.

It was while in Ateneo where Teodoro started considering a career in theater, specifically during her time with the Ateneo Blue Repertory. Here, she would meet Chari Arespachochaga, one of her first directors in the company and the person she considers to be her greatest mentor in theater.

"I felt she has always seen me as an actor," Teodoro tells SPOT.ph. "She has always believed in what I could do. She has always understood who I was. She pointed out early on what my strengths and weaknesses were."

Under Arespachochaga's tutelage, the foundations of Teodoro's working habits as an actor were built. Lessons ranged from the seemingly obvious (Always show up early to rehearsals) to the more serious ones (Always be intentional with the shows you audition for). But of all the things Arespachochaga taught her, what stuck the most was about the whys of acting. "She taught me to focus on the work as an actor because the reward is IN the work and that the joy is in the journey. The joy is not with awards or recognition you can get from it, so never chase after those 'rewards.'"

Realizing what she had back then—a talent for performing, a great mentor, and a pretty good head on her shoulders—something clicked in Teodoro. She realized she wanted a career in theater. "It was undeniable that I was going to be an actor because I found my flow, joy and purpose in performing."

It was in 2006 when the Atenista jumpstarted her professional acting career. As a self-proclaimed Disney kid, it was but natural that one of her first big stints was performing in a Disney production. She made it to the cast of Hong Kong Disneyland's High School Musical Live when it debuted in 2008 and landed the lead female singer role. Soon, she started prioritizing auditions for Philippine productions and would win roles in the comedies Zsa Zsa Zaturnah (2011 staging) and Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (in 2015). Teodoro describes this period as one of the best times of her life. 

She also took on roles in movies such as 2016's Enteng Kabisote 10 and the Abangers, and 2017's indie thriller, Bliss. They were small parts but it didn't matter. For Teodoro, there are no small roles. Every performance is preparing her for the bigger things about to come her way.

The Road to Nimia

In 2018, the Sandbox Collective produced Himala: Isang Musikal where she would be introduced to and really get to know Nimia, the "bad bitch" foil to the play's "holy and miraculous" Elsa, the lead character.

To bag the role, she had to undergo a long and rigorous audition process. She recalls having to cut trips short, rush to a callback as soon as she landed at the  airport in Manila, borrow the most "pokpok" clothes of friends (like theater actress Bea Garcia), and many other funny-in-hindsight-but-undoubtedly-stressful pre-audition experiences. But it was all worth it for the young actress, because to play a part in Himala: Isang Musikal would be a dream come true.

Teodoro describes Himala as "legendary," at least when it comes to what the material demands. "Mahirap siya. Mahirap siyang gawin. Mahirap siya emotionally. It's really one of those dream projects. People in the industry know it's like Sondheim's Into the Woods. Musically, it's difficult, but it's beautiful."

There was no question she wanted to be in the Ricky Lee-Vincent de Jesus musical, but unlike most actresses who gravitated towards the role of Elsa, Teodoro somehow knew she wasn't right for the part of the quiet, small town girl who sees (or imagines she sees) the Blessed Virgin—nor was she the right fit for the third Maria in the Himala barkada, the innocent Chayong.

"Ang ganda-ganda rin nung Elsa, pero ang bigat niyang role," Teodoro says, recalling her thoughts of several years back. "Hindi ko ata siya kaya vocally at the time. Paano kung ako si Chayong? Hindi rin yung i-e-expect sa akin na role. Pero gusto ko na si Nimia."

A major factor in her decision to completely embrace the jaded, carefree, homecoming queen role was when Himala, Isang Musikal's composer de Jesus told her he sees her more as Nimia, citing her beautiful low notes as perfect for the character. From then on, Teodoro was convinced Nimia was it for her. 

"She is such a delicious character. What a strong, badass woman. And alam mo, maraming magagandang roles sa musical ng mga prostitute eh. Alam naman natin, [there's Les Mis'] Fantine, [Miss Saigon's] Gigi, Kim, etc. But Nimia, Nimia is so fiery and honest and just strong. And, in our terms, she's such a bad bitch. I like representing that kind of woman," Teodoro says. 

"I gravitate towards those roles kasi kakaiba. And she also breaks the preconceived notions na nilalagay natin sa mga sex workers. For example, that people end up doing that job because—and I'm saying this because words ito ni Nimia—they don't feel like they're good for anything else. Nasa kanta niya yun na she can't even find the words to describe herself. Nasa dalawang kanta yun. 'Si Chayong na madasalin, si Elsa na kay talino, at ako.' Ang sarap niyang gawin eh. Ang sarap-sarap niyang gawin. Ang ganda ng mga kanta niya, [ang] ganda ng mga linya niya."

Bagging Himala: Isang Musikal started the ball rolling for Teodoro. After its successful runs (in 2018 and 2019), the young actress' career shifted to an upward trajectory. She bagged parts in more productions, including  the one-woman show Every Brilliant Thing which Teodoro credits as the vehicle that "really allowed me to explore and showcase who I am as an actor and also as a mental health advocate." This role eventually earned her a nod for Female Lead Performance in a Play at the 2020 Philstage Gawad Buhay awards.

Her first role post-pandemic was similarly statement-making: she bagged the role of Queen Femina in Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah: Yun Lang!, becoming the first full-figured woman who played the villain, something that resonated with the body-positive 2023 theater crowd. More projects followed: other stage musicals like Bar Boys: A New Musical, Pingkian: Isang Musikal, the Dreamscape series Senior High, and the Dolly De Leon-Kathryn Bernardo black comedy movie A Very Good Girl.

Also read: The Most Memorable Theater Moments of 2024

Kakki Teodoro on dreaming big and working hard

But it turns out Nimia was not done opening doors for Teodoro just yet. This year's big surprise was getting the opportunity to reprise her stage role in the film adaptation of Himala: Isang Musikal.

"We never really expected na magiging movie ito[ng] [Isang Himala].  We could not believe it until na-announce siya noong July 15. And then it started to become real na talaga para sa aming lahat. We were just very excited to have that opportunity in our lifetime," Teodoro shares with SPOT.ph.

Being blessed with material as hefty as Isang Himala and a character as layered and complex as Nimia is just half of the formula for a performance now reaping a lot of accolades. The other half is all about hard work. Speaking to Teodoro, it becomes quickly apparent she is also deeply passionate about perfecting her craft. Apart from being gifted with power vocals and the ability to mix singing with emotive performance, she's clearly willing to put in the work to bring out the best in a material.

"I made sure that on every shooting day, I was happy with what I did. I was happy sa kung anong binigay ko, based sa kung anong naramdaman ko, based sa kung anong naramdaman ng aking mga co-actors," she recalls. "I would always ask [her co-stars] Neomi or Aicelle, 'Naramdaman niyo ba yun? Okay ba yun sa inyo? We're always willing to have another take, kung kaya ng oras."

She recalls the times on set when she and her co-stars would obsessively ask for retakes—because the performance just didn't feel like it was the best, because what they gave was just 80 percent, or 90 percent. The retakes, or the dialing down of emotions when necessary, were never about reaping awards or accolades, says Teodoro; they were about doing her best and giving the material and the audience the performance they deserve.

"Ginawa ko lahat. Binigay ko lahat. Kaya, doon pa lang, happy na ako. And then everything else is a joyful blessing on top of what already is a blessing." Chari Arespacochaga would be proud of her mentee.

This is why Teodoro's win on the evening of December 27 brought her to tears as she walked up the stage to finally receive her trophy. She didn't chase after it; but she worked hard and she earned it.

Of course, like for many actors, the scene has played in her mind before. "Pinapractis namin [receiving the award] kapag may bottle ng shampoo," she says, laughing. "In my wildest dreams, I saw myself winning an award. Pero 'yong specifics na ganoon, that I would win it for Isang Himala,  or that  'yong may Nadine, may Lorna Tolentino, may Chando Romero sa co-nominees mo? Oh my gosh, never. I never dreamt of those specifics!"

What made the moment even sweeter was what the award meant for local musical theater, and for the Philippine theater world as a whole. It's rare for Filipino musicals to be adapted for the cinema, let alone have it entered into the Metro Manila Film Festival. Isang Himala making it to the MMFF, winning the 4th Best Picture honor, and Teodoro's win for Best Supporting Actress made for some kind of a critical cultural moment for Philippine theater. For many theater practitioners and stage fans, this was the representation in mass media the community could benefit greatly from. 

What's next for Kakki Teodoro?

The MMFF is not the end for Isang Himala and definitely not the last we will be seeing of Kakki Teodoro. She tells SPOT.ph that her director Pepe Diokno and the movie's producers are actively looking for ways to bring Isang Himala to a bigger audience. Whether that's through more local screenings, an international release, streaming collaborations, or entering international film festivals, the team is willing to do what needs to be done.  

Meanwhile, it wouldn't surprise us if Teodoro's calendar becomes progressively busier in 2025, but she says she is keeping the first half of the new year open for more television and film roles. "Kung mabiyayaan ulit tayo ng napakagandang set, story, and cast, and director, I would love to do [more on-screen roles] again. As in, anywhere na nandyan si Direk Onat Diaz, at si Direk Andoy Ranay, I would happily join Dreamscape, as in happily," Teodoro says, mentioning her directors in Senior High.

But this is not to say we won't see her onstage this year. Teodoro tells SPOT.ph we should keep our eyes peeled, especially during the second half of 2025, as she is slated to perform in two musicals—one of which she says is a Broadway classic and we're sure this badass lady's ready for it. And it will just prove true what Teodoro says: that every performance is preparing her for bigger things about to come her way.

It's a funny thought that among the ladies of Himala it's the sinful one playing the guardian angel, looking after MMFF's latest Best Supporting Actress. But it seems like it's true: Nimia is not done opening doors for Kakki Teodoro.

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UPDATE (January 11, 2025): ERRATUM: A previous version of this article mentioned that Kakki Teodoro was the oldest of 11 siblings. The Editor has been notified that this is incorrect. The article has since been updated to reflect the correct information.