THE HOTTEST LOVE Story UNFOLDS in ‘return To PARADISE’
Scorching afternoons await with a love story like no other as the newest GMA afternoon series Return to Paradise marked its world premiere on GMA yesterday, August 1. it airs weekdays at 3:25 pm.
The program is top-billed by Derrick Monasterio as red. introduced in the cast is Sparkle artist Elle Villanueva as Eden in her first lead role. Making her much-awaited comeback on GMA is versatile and award-winning actress Eula Valdez as Amanda.
Derrick shares that he and Elle really worked on building their chemistry and rapport to pull off steamy scenes in the series: “May process kami as actors and individuals. Ginawa namin ang intimate scenes professionally kaya hindi na kami naiilang. it’s also very important for me to ask her what’s her limitation kasi ayaw kong maka-disrespect ng coactor.”
Elle admits she experienced a lot of firsts in Return to Paradise: “Whenever opportunities come, tinatanggap ko and i’m very open with other roles. Bago sa akin ang daring at kissing scenes, i was so scared. Ang daming challenges sa serye na ito and i’m grateful to be part of it. Nakakapanibago pero masaya.” Eula, on the other hand, is happy to be back with GMA after eight years: “grateful ako na nakabalik ako sa GMA. Masayang katrabaho pati ang mga crew. Kapag nagtitaping, pantay-pantay kaming lahat. Naniniwala rin ako na walang maliit at paulit-ulit na role kaya natsa-challenge pa rin ako na gawin siyang kakaiba all the time.”
The story revolves around Eden (Elle) and red (Derrick), college students and athletes who are marooned on an island after a plane crash. While surviving the perils of life in the wild, they fall deeply in love with each other.
When the two are rescued, they find out that their parents have an irreconcilable feud which will tear them apart.
Will true love conquer all for Eden and red? is there a chance for their families to heal from the past and start anew?
Also in the cast are Liezel Lopez, Teresa Loyzaga, ricardo cepeda, Karel Marquez, Kiray celis, Paolo Paraiso, Mia Pangyarihan, and the multi-awarded Allen Dizon.
created by the GMA Entertainment group headed by SVP for Entertainment group Lilybeth g. rasonable, the afternoon drama is directed by Don Michael Perez, who reveals that there were a lot of struggles during their taping but the lead stars remained committed and professional: “This is one of the most challenging shoots because it’s a very physically demanding show. i admire Derrick and Elle kasi kahit nabibilad sa initan at nauulanan sila, walang reklamo, and they did beyond what was expected of them.”
Return to Paradise is from the original concept of Atty. Annette gozon-valdes, GMA Films president and programming consultant to the GMA chairman and ceo, and glaiza ramirez.