GMA launches the team up of Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva in the scorching “Return to Paradise.”
Derrick shares that he and Elle really worked on building their chemistry and rapport to pull off steamy scenes in the series, “May process kami as actors and individuals. Ginawa namin ang intimate scenes professionally kaya hindi na kami naiilang. It’s also very important for me to ask her what’s her limitation kasi ayaw kong maka-disrespect ng co-actor.”
Aside from working for the first time with Derrick, Elle had many other firsts in the soap.
“Whenever opportunities come, tinatanggap ko and I’m very open with other roles. Bago sa akin ang daring at kissing scenes, I was so scared. Ang daming challenges sa serye na ito and I’m grateful to be part of it. Nakakapanibago pero masaya.”
Award-winning actress Eula Valdes is happy to join Derrick and Elle in “Return to Paradise.”
It’s her comeback show in the Kapuso Network after eight years. “Grateful ako na nakabalik ako ng GMA. Masayang katrabaho pati ang mga crew. Kapag nagte-taping, pantay-pantay kaming lahat. Naniniwala rin ako na walang maliit at paulit-ulit na role kaya nacha-challenge pa rin ako na gawin siyang kakaiba this time.”
The story revolves around Eden (Elle) and Red (Derrick), college students and athletes who are marooned on an island after a plane crash. While surviving the perils of life in the wild, they fall deeply in love with each other.
When the two are rescued, they find out that their parents have an irreconcilable feud which will tear them apart.
Joining them is Liezel Lopez as Sabina, the scheming ex-girlfriend of Red; Teresa Loyzaga as Rita, the absentee mother of Red; Ricardo Cepeda as Victor, the strict father of Red; Karel Marquez as Dindi, the caring sister of Amanda; Kiray Celis as Raichu, the amusing best friend of Elle; Paolo Paraiso as Zandro, Rita’s accomplice in making Amanda’s life miserable; Mia Pangyarihan as Miss Vinluan, Eden’s coach; and Allen Dizon as Lucho, the man who will try to save Amanda from all her sufferings.
The show’s director, Don Michael Perez, encountered a lot of challenges during their taping.
“This is one of the most challenging shoots because it’s a very physically demanding show. I admire Derrick and Elle kasi kahit nabibilad sa initan at nauulanan sila, walang reklamo and they did everything beyond what is expected of them.”
This original series is from the original concept of GMA Films President and programming consultant to the GMA Chairman and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes and Glaiza Ramirez.
The series, which showcases the pristine island of Jomalig in Quezon, airs Monday to Friday at 3:25 p.m.
