A realistic take on infidelity in ‘To Have and To Hold’
The subject of infidelity is a worn-out plot in many Pinoy teleseryes, but GMA Network’s new primetime series “To Have and To Hold” is setting itself apart by approaching the material realistically. It will be just as if viewers are hearing a conversation from the couple next door or see their own family members in scenes.
“Yes the issue of infidelity is nothing new but there are many reasons and circumstances why someone becomes unfaithful to their partner. That’s what we’re tackling here,” says director Don Michael Perez of this project that he points out is the most human, realistic show he’s done so far.
“It would feel like you’re not watching a teledrama. It feels like real life is unfolding in front of you. It feels like these are your neighbors, your relatives. It feels like you’re part of the relationship of this married couple. That’s how immersive and real it is.”
In “To Have and To Hold”, Dominique (Max) and Gavin (Rocco) have been married for years but is now on the brink of separation. After an unexpected turn of events, Gavin finds himself unraveling a web of lies and deceit with a woman named Erica (Carla) whose husband, Tony (Rafael Rosell), shares an untold connection with Dominique. When the bad starts to outweigh the good, the characters face the question of whether love is enough to uphold the sacred vows of marriage.
Carla’s Erica is a people-pleaser and submissive housewife who yearns for a happy family even at her own expense.
“She is a devoted, selfless wife. She has a small family circle, it’s just her and her husband Tony, and her mother Vicky. She’s from a broken family. Anak siya sa labas. To her, family is everything and she will do all to have a complete family. Hindi siya papayag na basta basta nalang masisira ito,” the actress, who just got married Saturday to Tom Rodriguez, shared in a virtual media conference.
Rocco as Gavin is a gentleman who likes to take care of his woman. As a chef and an entrepreneur, he takes his responsibilities seriously and is keen on proving his worth.
“The opposite of Erica, medyo maayos naman ang pamilya niya. He is a workaholic for a reason and may kinalaman yun sa estado ng kanyang tatay. He shows a lot of vulnerability when it comes to his ego which affects the decisions of a husband dala ng mga problema at gusto niyang mangyari sa buhay,” the actor shares.
“I think husbands, fiancés, those in a boyfriend-girlfriend status, can relate in terms of how a guy thinks because the issues we will show are those men tend to hide or not talk about with their spouse. In a way, this will open the eyes of men who feel a plateau in their relationship.”
As for Max, her Dominique is a successful interior designer who is smart, an alpha female, has a high sense of worth, and doesn’t like being taken for granted.
“She’s spontaneous, confident but her background is, her parents died when she was young so it’s her dream to have a happy family, have a child. He and Gavin go through so much so you’ll see how she’s so vulnerable and fragile. I really hope the audience cries with her, laughs with her and I hope you’ll still love her despite her imperfections,” says the mother of one.
For Carla, the realistic attack suited her better as an actress. “It’s far from the usual melodramatic treatment. I wouldn’t say it’s easy but perhaps it’s easier for us actors because this happens in real life. Although there are times it’s uncomfortable, we have to give justice to our characters and our scenes to show that this is real, it is happening. Maybe not discussed as often, but it’s real life.”
She adds, “None of us gusto mangaliwa or gusto saktan at lokohin ang mga mahal natin sa buhay. But it really happens around us. We can say na ‘Naku never ko gagawin yan. I’ll never cheat on my partner.’ But we’ll never know. It’s such a sensitive topic but the good thing about our series, there’s no uncomfortable, walang mahirap… ipapakita namin sa inyo the reality of it, how it affects the family, the marriage. Ipapakita namin kung worthy ba siya of forgiveness or talagang masisira na yung family.”
It was the opposite though for Max, who felt she was treading new ground when told not to over-act as previous dramas often required her to.
“On the contrary with what Carla said, it was harder for me because sanay ako na inaarte ko lagi. I’m not used to digging deep. I’m not that emotional and so it was so hard to open myself,” she says.
““This is the first project that I really worked so hard on because I really want to prove myself lalo na na nanay na ako. Parang iba yung gusto ko i-achieve sa buhay because I want my kid to be proud with my work. That just gives me more drive to do better.”
Rocco, who took on the role that was initially offered to Derek Ramsey, added that their ultimate goal is for viewers to relate to the story, and maybe pick up a lesson or two.
As a newly-wed who’s still on cloud nine, Rocco shares he had to turn to longmarried couples for pointers on how to develop his role.
“My workaholic character, marami ng pinagdaanan so I really had to dig deep. I talked to a lot older than me, yung tipong 30 years ng kasal. I asked ano yung ayaw mo, new discoveries na ayaw at gusto mo. Sawa ka na ba? Medyo diretso na yung mga tanong ko so I can pick up traits to build my character,” he says.
Asked point-blank if they will forgive a cheating partner in real life, all three lead stars nodded yes – with a disclaimer that their stance shouldn’t be a go-signal for their loved ones to stray.
“Yes definitely,” Carla began, “For sure it’s not easy but that’s part of life. Si Lord nga nagpatawad paano pa tayo. But that shouldn’t be an excuse for your partner to abuse. Para mabuo ka bilang tao at maging masaya, you need to forgive others. And the real work comes after the forgiveness. There should be change, sacrifice and adjustment on the part of the one who cheated.”
Max explains she will be tolerant because “I believe marriage or love is stronger than infidelity. But of course that depends on your partner if they want to be forgiven.”
In explaining why he will pardon a cheating wife, Rocco says, “Just as in your vows you also embrace the ugly things from your partner. And pray that things can get better in time. I would dig down deep to understand why. Ako ba ang may kasalanan?
“I researched on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: self-actualization, self-esteem, love and belongingness. If one of those gets diminished, it can lead to something. Sometimes it takes one person to understand why something bad is happening or why this was done to me. After assessing all that, that’s when I’ll know what to do. Hindi yung ayaw mo na agad.”
Ina Feleo, who here plays Dominique’s loyal cousin Quel, gave ultimate praise to the show’s leads by saying their performances alone make “To Have and To Hold” a worthwhile watch.
“Abangan niyo ang acting ni Max. These three really hinog na hinog na actors. They are like three gems na pinagsamasama. I’d say watch it for everything they put into the show,” she says. “Rocco was really competitive. Lahat ng scenes niya wala siyang pinalampas. And Carla I’ve never seen her with a quiet presence that’s about to implode. Ang galing ni Carla. And the good thing is we have a director who was able to capture all these little nuances.”
For Direk Dom, while everyone wants to watch a happily-ever-after, he thinks it’s much more interesting to discuss why we get sad endings. “Those are the things na mas kailangan natin pag-isipan so that we’ll have our happy ending,” he says.
“To Have and To Hold”, airing weeknights after “Legal Wives”, also stars Rafael Rosell as Tony Gatchalian, Erica’s charming and manipulative husband who has no qualms about taking advantage of other people’s weaknesses; Dion Ignacio as Ian, Erica’s down-to-earth and reliable confidant; Roi Vinzon as Giovanni, Millet’s domineering husband; Valeen Montenegro as Sofia, Gavin’s business partner; Bing Pimental as Millet, Gavin’s mother who is the image of a perfect housewife; Gilleth Sandico as Nanay Vicky, Erica’s mother; Luis Hontiveros as Daryl, Grace’s happygo-lucky boyfriend; and Athenah Madrid as Grace, Gavin’s younger sister.