Upcoming Kapuso primetime series goes to Cebu
Cebu takes center stage in GMA-7’s upcoming teleserye “Inday Will Always Love You” set to grace the network’s third primetime slot soon.
With 80 percent of the series shot in Cebu, “Inday Will Always Love You” has a handful of its stars currently in the Queen City – Ricky Davao, Gladys Reyes, Tina Paner, Barbie Forteza, Juancho Trivino, Kim Rodriguez, twins Charisse and Charlotte Hermoso (the Lumen twins of a popular laundry bar commercial), as well as Cebuano talents with the likes of comedian Super Tekla – for the first leg of taping.
Directed by Monti Parungao, the show is a fresh and light story about a hardworking and dedicated girl in search of family, love and purpose.
Barbie Forteza is at the helm as Happylou, a cheerful and optimistic young lady from the bustling Manila streets who works as a lechon store assistant. Her mother, portrayed by Manilyn Reynes, has never spoken about Happylou’s estranged father other than the fact that he was from Cebu. That little tidbit about her father has Happylou daydreaming and wanting to someday set foot on the southern island. After a turn of events, Happylou finds herself taking a job in Cebu as a lechonera after hearing about the job vacancy from her good friend Ernest (Juancho Trivino). This is where her life takes a topsyturvy turn as the Manileña transitions into her new home.
“Happylou will be spreading good vibes kahit maraming bad vibes. Isa po akong expert lechonera kaya po ako napunta sa Cebu, at kasama na po doon kung bakit ako napunta dito ang paghahanap ko sa aking tatay,” Barbie begins during a press conference yesterday at Golden Cowrie Lahug.
The show is Derrick and Barbie’s love team comeback after successfully working together in the long-running afternoon soap “The Half Sisters.”
Out to get Happylou is Kim Rodriguez as the moody Ericka who does everything in her ability to make our protagonist’s life as miserable as possible with the help of her cronies Hershey and Kisses portrayed by twins Charisse and Charlotte.
“Ako po yung fiancé in Patrick [Derrick]. Pahihirapan ko po si Happylou kasi siyempre gusto ko ako ang pinakamaganda sa mata ni Patrick. May pressure po lalo na magagaling po yung mga ka-eksena pero iba naman po ang atake ko. My character po is parang medyo crazy na may mood swings na madali lang magswitch to different moods,” Kim says when asked if she feels a certain pressure as main antagonist knowing that co-star Gladys is one of the country’s most effective kontrabidas.
Gladys Reyes, entertaining as ever, quips of her role: “I’m pretty,” she pauses, before belatedly adding, “sure that my character will be one viewers will love to hate!”
As for veteran actor and director Ricky Davao, he continues his streak of light characters after appearing as a gay man in “My Korean Jagiya.”
This time, Ricky is Philip, a Cebuano shipping, lechon and resorts magnate. He is a kind, hands-on, and generous boss who welcomes Happylou into his business.
“Lately I’ve mostly worked behind the camera. Parang naiinggit kasi ako sa actors. There are people I know, businessmen and politicians from Cebu and I saw how they behaved,” the actor quips.
Tina Paner is the governess of Philip’s mansion named Yaya Madonna who takes it upon herself to protect Happylou and mother her as she moves to Cebu.
Bisaya comedian Super Tekla is Kimberlou, Happylou’s best friend who will keep her and the people around her happy throughout the circumstances.
“As a Bisaya, this is a big deal for me. I’ll definitely do my best for the show,” says Super Tekla, who entered the TV landscape via “Wowowin.”
Unlike most primetime television shows, “Inday Will Always Love You” is produced by GMA News and Public Affairs, which is best known for their news, lifestyle, culture, and investigative journalism offerings. Program manager Joni Mosatalla says that long before the show came to life, GMA had sent writers to experience Cebu to see the locations themselves and interview people about their way of life. This sort of research allowed the show to build foundations not only for the plot and storyline, but also provided its characters’ personality through which Cebuanos see themselves.
“When we did ‘I Heart Davao’, which is similar with this show, we saw na it was very effective and our Davaoeños liked it. Before we went on with the show, we sent writers, and asked our regional station head to show us places. We interviewed Bisaya businessmen and we learned what ways they were different. We also have Bisaya experts to make sure that when the actors speak in Bisaya, tama yung pagkakabigkas,” Mosatalla quips.
“Although, yes
fictional yung teleserye, we wanted na tama yung pagkaka-represent ng Cebu,” she adds.
Parungao supplements that “Inday Will Always Love You” is an interesting take on the simple ragsto-riches tale that offers social relevance and with characters embodying the traits and sensibilities of Cebuanos.
Set against the many iconic places throughout Cebu such as the Basilica Minore de Sto. Niño, Magellan’s Cross, Temple of Leah, 10,000 Roses, and Sirao gardens, the cast and crew of “Inday Will Always Love You” have been in Cebu for more than nine days now.
Among their other locations include Bantayan Island. Needless to say, this north of Cebu destination took their breaths away.
“Ang ganda po. Matagal na po akong hindi nakapunta ng Cebu, parang ten years ago pa yung huling punta ko dito,” shares Gladys. “First time ko po sumakay ng roro nung papunta kami sa Bantayan. Tapos ang ganda, ang linis. Yung pier, unlike sa ibang lugar, ang linis parang pwede nga doon ka na maliligo. And as a mother, it makes me want to bring my kids and my family here kasi ang tahimik, ang presko ng environment. Para kang nasa paradise.”
The stars are eyeing the town of Moalboal, Sumilon Island, and Camotes Island for their second leg of taping.
Most of the cast members have had the chance to come in and out of Cebu, mostly for regional shows. However, most of them haven’t been back in a long time and the actors share how amazed they were with how much Cebu has changed.
“Parang second home ko na ang Cebu,” Tina offers. “My father is from Naga. Matagal na huli akong nakapunta dito, parang 12 years old pa ata ako noon. Naalala ko na ang sarap, yung makakatambay ka sa dagat doon sa malapit. Marami yung nagbago. I didn’t even know na city na ang Naga ngayon. Pag sinabi kong second home, maganda talaga.”
Juancho, who also got to live in Cebu for two years as a child, says that it was nice to be back and see how much the city has progressed.
“I have friends rin po dito, and ang ganda po ng malls at ng resorts. Parang sa Manila na rin. Madami rin pong magagandang babae,” Juancho, who sings a Bisaya song in the show, teases.
As for Barbie, the 20-year-old award-winning actress was beyond excited to finally have the time to go around.
“Dati po kasi tuwing magpupunta kami dito-- sa airport, mall, hotel, lang yung daan namin. Excited po talaga ako kasi first time ko po na maikot talaga ang Cebu. Aside po sa mga naririnig namin about it, ang dami pa palang attractions and ang daming pwede puntahan at gawin dito. Babalik po talaga ako for vacation,” the selfproclaimed foodie asserts.
For their first time in Cebu, twins Charisse and Charlotte are having a blast seeing the Queen City of the South with brand new eyes.
“Marami po kasi nagsasabi sa amin na kapag pinayagan na kami umalis, na i-explore namin yung Cebu. First time po talaga namin and parang naisip namin na let’s say, Boracay. Parang aside sa Boracay, ang dami palang magagandang lugar dito na similar din, na bakit iilan lang po yung kilala,” Charisse says.
The actors and even producers admit that the most they hear about Cebu are the beaches and gastronomic adventure the province provides with delicacies like lechon, danggit, and dried mangoes. In “Inday Will Always Love You,” these qualities are put in the spotlight. Even the Cebuano faith shines in the show, as Happylou visits the home of the first Santo Niño image which sparked the birth of Christianity in the country.
With their new show, the Kapuso network not only wishes to paint the beautiful stories of Cebuanos and the Filipino family in general, but also aims to impart valuable lessons for its viewers and with their primetime time slot, cap off the household’s day with good vibes and warmth as they showcase the unique beauty and rich culture of Cebu in the process.
On another note, it aims to educate non Bisaya that the term “Inday” is a name used to address females in Bisaya, one that even denotes endearment.
“Sa iba kasi, parang akala nila ‘Inday’ is ginagamit sa mga kasambahay or katulong and we really want to change that stereotype. Sa show na ito, we have Cebuano culture in the background. Most shows are Manila-centric, and as a Bicolana myself, parang we want to do something else and showcase Cebu which is a very well known city. Through the show, we want people to come visit and see Cebu,” Mosatalla says.