GMA-7’s first salvo for 2022 is “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune,” about women empowerment that centers on four strong women: Boots Anson Roa, Maricel Laxa, Sunshine Cruz and Barbie Forteza. Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo plays Consuelo Chan, the family’s matriarch.
“When they offered it to me, I said yes agad kasi Regal made seven ‘Mano Po’ movies and I was in five of them,” she said. “So it’s a very welcome feeling to be a part of ‘Mano Po’ on TV and to get to work with fine actresses like Maricel, Sunshine and Barbie. My role is that of a fearless woman and one of the most colorful characters I’ve played in my career.”
As for Maricel, she plays Valerie Lim, the meddlesome mistress who messes things up with everyone in the family. “I just feel fortunate to get good projects like this. Actually, kuntento na ako supporting my children now in their own careers but kung may magagandang projects na dumarating, hindi naman tama na tanggihan ko, ‘di ba? Also, ‘Mano Po’ is special for me kasi it’s a homecoming for me sa GMA. I started my career in GMA when Mother Lily saw me sa ‘GMA Supershow’ and inalok ako to be a part of Regal Films. That started my acting career,” she related.
Sunshine Cruz, in turn, plays Christine Chan, the supportive aunt who will be an ally of Barbie Forteza against Maricel Laxa.
“I have seen the ‘Mano Po’ movies before and nagandahan ako so I felt I want to be a part of it kaya lang ‘di nila ako kinukuha,” she revealed. “So when they offered this to me, kulang na lang na tumambling ako sa excitement. This is a dream come true for me.”
And how does Barbie feel working with these fine and seasoned actresses?
“I feel so honored to be acting with them and I’m so happy to be a part of this project.
When they offered it to me, speechless ako kasi I know the ‘Mano Po’ series is a big part of the film industry. The story is well distributed sa mga characters, kaya abangan nyo when we start airing this coming January, 2022.”
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‘If it’s not him, then I won’t do it. He was then busy with a TV show so we waited for him. — Director Jun Lana’
It will be recalled that Christian Bables and Director Jun Lana had a rift when Christian refused to do “Born Beautiful,” the sequel to “Die Beautiful” for which he won many acting awards. They reconciled later and did “Panti Sisters,” a big hit. Now, Christian is directed again by Jun in “Big Night” and, once again, he plays another gay role for which he might just win another acting award.
“The role is really meant for him,” said Direk Jun. “If it’s not him, then I won’t do it. He was then busy with a TV show so we waited for him.”
“Of all the movies I made him, this is the most difficult,” admitted Christian. “I’m not a swishy gay here as Dharna, a beautician, but effeminate lang. Tapos binago niya ang accent ko, Visayan. Buti na lang my mom is Visayan so I’m familiar with it. On the first day of the shoot, they got a coach for me.”
Another personal choice of Direk Jun is Nico Antonio, who plays Zeus, Christian’s lover who’s an aging macho dancer and is very caring with Christian. “I saw Christian when he was introduced in ‘Die Beautiful’ and I saw his growth as an actor so I felt I wanna work with this guy,” said Nico. “Si Direk Jun naman, I got to work with him in ‘Dalawang Mrs. Reyes’ where I also played a macho dancer kina Judy Ann Santos and Angelica Panganiban.
It’s a small role but napansin ako. So when he offered this to me and said he wrote it for me, I accepted it right away.”
