PIE (Pinoy Interactive Entertainment) Channel continues to beef up its offerings for its fourth month on air as it launched an engaging hybrid narrative-reality show last September 24, with Melai Cantiveros as the host and one of the actors.
In “The Chosen One: Ang Piliserye ng Bayan,” viewers can control the story and determine who stays alive until the end by voting.
According to award-winning director and cinematographer Topel Lee, “The Chosen One” has a “choose your own adventure” style that’s why it is called a “piliserye.”
“You [viewers] get to play god sa ‘piliserye.’ Ikaw ang magde-decide kung saan pupunta ang kwento. Fresh ito for this type of programming sa PIE Channel,” he shared.
Each week, five Philippine-based voters will be selected via randomizer to win P1,000.
The show’s pilot features a suspense thriller series called “Soap Opera” that follows Charlie (Kaila Estrada), who signs up for a shady networking group called Astra Nuevo fronted by the strong-willed Miss Jane (Melai). In Astra Nuevo, Charlie meets a group of 10 aspiring entrepreneurs, but soon they discover that their ambition could cost them their lives.
Joining Kaila in the hybrid narrative-reality series are former “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) housemates Andi Abaya (Rachel), Amanda Zamora (Julie), Dustin Mayores (Jason), Gabb Skribikin (Cheska), Kobie Brown (Peter), Luke Alford (Kiko), Maxine Trinidad (Emma), Rob Blackburn (Joe), Seham Daghlas (Paula), and Zach Guerrero (Mike).
In “Soap Opera,” Kaila, Emjay Savilla and actress and host Sunshine Teodoro are non-players.
Every Saturday (8 to 10 p.m.), “The Chosen One” will air live episodes of “Soap Opera” so chosen mentor Jhong Hilario can rate each player’s performance.
During the show’s primer, Melai shared that viewers will get to see a different side of her in “The Chosen One.” “First time ko na ganitong istorya. Kasi ako naman nagho-horror, pero may sundot na comedy. Dito parang may pagka-serious talaga,” she said.
She also lauded Jhong. “Talagang magkakaroon kami ng tawanan and banters. Sobrang happy din ako kasi yan ang sample king.”
Jhong said he is grateful to be picked as the “chosen mentor” and shared what he expects to see from the players.
“Siyempre dahil suspense thriller itong piliserye natin, gusto kong matakot sa acting nila. Gusto kong tumayo ‘yung mga balahibo ko dahil alam ko kapag natakot ako, ‘yung mga manonood sa kanila, matatakot din,” he remarked.
PIE is available worldwide via pie.com.ph, YouTube, Sky Cable Channel 21, and Cablelink Channel 100.
