GMA continues to be an entertainment powerhouse for viewers worldwide as it presents an inspirational story on pursuing dreams and believing in oneself with the ground-breaking primetime series “Start-Up PH.”
Premiering today, the program is the first-l TV adaptation of the breakthrough 2020 South Korean series which is based on the original format “Start-Up” created by Hyeryeon Park and produced by Studio Dragon Corporation, co-produced by Studio Dragon and CJ ENM.
The show is topbilled by no less than Alden Richards as Tristan a.k.a. Good Boy and multi-awarded actress and box-office icon Bea Alonzo as Dani. All set to spice up the lives of Tristan and Dani are the equally important characters of Ina portrayed by Yasmien Kurdi and Dave played by Jeric Gonzales.
Alden takes pride in bannering the much awaited Pinoy remake, “We have a show and it is something that we can be very proud of. ‘Yung fans ng Korean version, gusto nilang makita na itong Filipino adaptation is something worth their while and based sa trailer, may laban po kami. Aside from that, I’m sure that the whole cast is very proud to have Bea in this show. She puts good pressure on us, especially with the way she handles her character.”
As she stars in her very first GMA series, Bea enjoys the challenge of working with the entire cast, “Of course, may adjusting period kasi first time ko silang makasama lahat. But I’m always on my toes trying to let them feel na okay akong katrabaho and I try to be the best version of myself in front of them. Now that I’m restarting, mas ine-enjoy ko every moment. Hindi ako fearful to try new things.”
Yasmien, who is a certified K-Drama fan, shares how she landed her role in this local adaptation, “Nung in-offer sa akin itong project, talagang tinanggap ko agad. At first nakaka-pressure siya, so pinanood ko ulit saka ko na-realize na kaya naman pala! Happy din ako kasi nakatrabaho ko silang lahat at ito na rin ‘yung time na hinihingi ng fans na sana maging magkapatid kami sa isang show ni Bea.”
Meanwhile, Jeric who was Alden’s personal choice to be his co-star in the program, feels overwhelmed to be part of this huge project, “It’s my first time na maka-work sina Alden at Bea and it’s definitely a dream-come-true. At first, nahihiya at na-starstruck ako sa kanila pero naging magaan ang pakiramdam sa set. Nagtutulungan talaga lahat para mapaganda ang mga eksena. I’m very grateful kasi hindi ko in-expect na ako ang magpo-portray ng role na ito.”
“Start-Up PH” tackles the different journeys to success and self-discovery. It highlights the importance of being surrounded by supportive and loving people, and proves that through sheer will and determination, every dream is worth pursuing no matter how hard it can get.
Tristan had a humble beginning before turning into a coveted investor for start-up companies. One day, he crosses paths with Dani whom he used to know as a child. Dani grew up to be a strong and ambitious woman who dreams of becoming the CEO of her own company.
Dani has a long-lost pen pal named Dave, a software engineer who became the CEO of a computer technology company. However, Dave struggles in managing his business and earns nothing from it for a long time.
Meanwhile, Ina is the older sister of Dani who is equally independent. Ina becomes the head of her stepfather’s company but not until it is taken away from her. She will then strive to put up her own business even if it means competing with her sister.
Amid their aspirations and obstacles, Dani will find herself trapped in a love triangle between a man who is secretly her first love and another one who pretends to be her ideal guy.
Joining Bea, Yasmien, Jeric and Alden are: Gabby Eigenmann as Arnold, the scheming stepfather of Ina; Kim Domingo as Stephanie, the rich member of the Three Sons Tech; Jackielou Blanco as Sandra, the kind CEO; Ayen Munji Laurel as Alice, the mother of Dani and Ina; Boy2 Quizon as Wilson, the business partner of Dave; Royce Cabrera as Jefferson, one of the founders of Three Sons Tech; Niño Muhlach as Samuel, the strict yet supportive father of Dave; Lovely Rivero as Dang, the mom of Dave; Kevin Santos as Darwin, the assistant of Tristan in Sandbox PH; Tim Yap as Angelo a.k.a. Mr. A, the executive of a tech company in Korea who will be interested in Three Sons Tech; Jay Arcilla as Anjo, a software engineer who will try to defeat Dave’s business; Kaloy Tingcungco as Spencer, the stepbrother of Ina; Brianna as Joan, the competitive twin sister of Anjo; and Miss Gina Alajar as Lola Joy, the selfless grandmother of Dani and Ina.
Completing the cast is Neil Ryan Sese, who plays Chito, the biological dad of Dani and Ina who aspires to become a successful businessman.
“Start-Up PH” is made possible under the supervision of GMA SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; while the creative team is composed of Aloy Adlawan, Ricky Lee, Agnes Gagelonia Uligan, Glaiza Ramirez, writers Marlon Miguel and Patrick Ilagan, brainstormers Louize Al-Shehr and Meryl Bunyi; and associate director Aya Topacio.
The series is under the helm of Jerry Sineneng and Dominic Zapata and airs weeknights at 8:50 p.m. on GMA and at 11:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday and at 11 p.m. every Friday on GTV.
