DOTS PH IS BACK, QUEENS ON FIRE
Finally. After seven months, the Philippine adaptation of the most-loved Korean series Descendants of the Sun (DoTSPh) is airing again on TV starting tonight, 26 October. There will be a two-week recap and fresh episodes will air beginning on 5 November. What’s made this return even sweeter is that the show will start streaming on Netflix beginning 13 November, the first GMA program to be streamed on the popular platform.
Dingdong Dantes, Rocco Nacino and Jasmine Curtis-Smith shared their excitement to members of the press during last week’s Zoom press conference. The cast had recently wrapped up its two-week locked-in taping in Tanay, Rizal. They admitted that they had some readjustments done after being locked down for quite a long time.
“Nangapa din ako. Talagang nangamote din ako noong first day (I had to grapple with my character. It was like it was back to zero for me on the first day,” said Dingdong, who plays the suave leader of the Alpha Team, Capt. Lucas Manalo.
He explained that prior to the lockdown in March, they had been training and shooting for almost a year and were at their peak when they were forced to stop production. It sort of halted their momentum. While on quarantine, they kept in touch via Zoom and even put up a Facebook page where they worked out together.
Let’s admit it, we’re not going to be better than the original. But we try to be true to form by bringing to life the Philippine context of the story.
His co-stars Rocco and Jasmine, who play lovers Technical Sergeant Diego Ramos and Capt. Moira Defensor, respectively, also had to refresh their memories and review their acting notes. Jasmine even had to rewatch the original and their previous episodes as she had been taping for another show when they were called back to the DoTSPh production.
It’s good to know that the production did not have much to adjust in terms of continuity. When this author asked about this aspect, the cast said they were able to address it.
“The key there is that we have the time to prepare. And we did prepare a lot, not just in terms of physical appearances. We were given time since we gained weight during the lockdown. Malaking bagay yung nag- table read kami. The cast and director (Dominic Zapata) were all present. We wanted to be efficient on the set. We cannot afford mistakes and we do not have the time to go back to correct it. We had to get out of there ASAP. It’s all because of preparation that our set went on smoothly,” Dingdong said.
Jasmine also noted, “There’s always a trick to TV and film. If production can plan well enough and visualize it and how to kinda give the illusion, it’s easy. And I think that’s what we’ve been able to do, to still give the same effect and full authenticity of the locations.”
She shared that the remaining scenes they had to shoot were manageable and they did not need any extra locations. Those who’ve watched the show’s initial airing were all in agreement that the production had been carefully thought of, relative to most local productions. They even trended nightly and have, in fact, gained recognition at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards as the Most Popular Foreign Drama of the Year while Dingdong was awarded the Asian Star Prize. These and being picked up by Netflix are validation for the group that has its fair share of doubters and non-believers. After all, Dingdong agrees, that nothing can beat the original.
“Let’s admit it, we’re not going to be better than the original. But we try to be true to form by bringing to life the Philippine context of the story. That’s our role as storytellers. It’s not to overshadow or be better than the other one but at least tell the story well,” he said.
This writer has seen the clips of the Vietnamese adaptation in 2018 in one of the many streaming sites.
All three are excited to be streaming on Netflix since it would mean they are going to reach more audiences. More than the comparison, they are excited for the opportunity to showcase the Filipino talent.
Conviction makes a woman hotter than she already is.
Catriona Gray is undoubtedly one of the few most beautiful women in the world. After all, she is 2018 Miss Universe. More than her head-turning physical appearance, her eloquence and conviction makes her even more beautiful than she already is.
On 24 October, she posted a timely video reminder on her Instagram (@ catriona_gray): “Please don’t ever allow your voice to be silenced. You never know who’s life may be impacted by your words. You never know who you’ll help feel seen, courageous or comforted. When you speak up for yourself, know that in sharing your stories, you’re speaking up for others too,” she said on her caption.
It came days after Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade posted on the Facebook page of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) mentioning her alongside actress Liza Soberano when he issued a statement on supporting Gabriela, an NGO that fights for women’s rights. “The choice is yours, Liza. And so with you, Catriona. Don’t follow the path Ka Ella Colmenares (Angel Locsin’s sister) took in the underground and NPA Quezon. I am sure Angel Locsin and Neri Colmenares will not tell you this,” Parlade said.
Some sectors viewed it as red-tagging. Netizens immediately came to their rescue.
Liza Soberano’s camp had reiterated that the actress remains “apolitical.” The actress has been vocal about issues pertaining to women’s rights and empowerment. Her last show of support was speaking up in a Gabriela webinar on women’s rights.
It is admirable to see women like Catriona and Liza, blessed with insanely good looks, to speak up about issues that could put their lives at risk. When they could have chosen to keep mum and just be their pretty selves, they chose to use their considerable clout to affect peoples’ minds and, hopefully, effect change.
Hopefully, their efforts will not be for naught, and they will not be silenced just for speaking up. We’re still a democracy, after all.