THEY update each other on their group chat, talk about their love lives and dispense advice. And of course, they gossip. Loisa Andalio, Charlie Dizon, Alexa Ilacad, and Elisse Joson are like any ordinary barkada, except they happen to star in the hit Kapamilya drama series, “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso.”
At the press con for the series on Wednesday at ABS-CBN Studio 5, the four ladies were asked just how tight a bond they formed in the months they worked together.
“Pag nag u-update weekly, ibig sabihin malalim na pagkakaibigan nyo,” said Elisse.
“Mas updated pa nga ang group chat namin kesa mga jowa,” she added.
For Charlie, she knew she had found a friend in her co-stars because she knew someone would take her call until late in the evening – or early in the morning. “Sobrang lalim na ng closeness namin kasi anytime nakakapagtawagan kami… kahit madaling araw. Kahit hindi makakasagot, mag-memessage kaagad kinabukasan na, sorry teh, nakatulog na ako. Kumbaga ganung boundaries. ‘Yung hindi na kami nahihiya na ganun.”
Aside from that, she felt they held no grudges against each other even when their scheduled bonding dates did not push through.
“Walang nagtatampo,” Charlie continued said, “Parang understood na, Ok, kailangan nya time for others. ‘Wag muna tayo.”
Loisa said their ties are so strong, they’ve reached the “no filter” zone. “Kaya kong nasabi na malalim kasi umabot na kami na lahat nasasabi sa isa’t isa. No filter. Kasi hindi mo naman masasabi ‘yun sa hindi ganyan ka-close. …Mga [love problems]. Mga advice. Masakit man pero ‘yun and totoo. Kaya mong sabihin.”
Alexa, an admitted introvert, said she is so grateful for the three for their acceptance of who she is. “Actually tinanong ako kanina kung anong piraso ang nabuo sa akin at sabi ko, sila. Hala I am gonna cry. May pinost akong before video namin sila best gift na nakuha ko last year and greatest takeaway. ‘Yun ‘yung pirasong nabuo sa akin, yung friendship namin. Sobrang galing nila kasi na break nila agad agad ‘yung walls ko,” she related.
“As an introvert na sobrang bahay lang buhay, ang galing that they understand that. Na si Alexa kailangan nya ng me time,” she continued.
Finding true friends is but a bonus for Loisa, Charlie, Alexa, and Elisse of having been part of the hit series. The four are overjoyed with pride and gratitude over the positive feedback from viewers as the show is down to its thrilling and action-packed final weeks.
Loisa and Alexa led the cast in expressing thanks to the viewers in an interview on “Magandang Buhay” recently. Loisa added that because of the positive comments of viewers for her character’s action scenes, she was able to mature more as an actress.
“Nung nabigyan ako ng isang eksena na action, natuwa po sila kaya sunod-sunod na ‘yung action scenes. Hindi kasi kami nag-training pero may nagtuturo sa amin sa set. Si Ronnie [Alonte], malaking parte rin siya sa akin kasi siya ‘yung nag-guide sa akin sa fight sequences,” she shared.
For Alexa, the upcoming finale is bittersweet but she is extremely thankful for her co-stars and the relationship they have formed while shooting the series, which recorded an all-time high record of 118,395 live concurrent views on Kapamilya Online Live last November.
“Sobrang proud ako sa show na ito at sa bawat isa sa amin. For me, we finished with flying colors and we really built a strong connection. More than being sad that it’s over, I’m more proud of what we accomplished,” said Alexa.
Veteran actresses Snooky Serna and Sunshine Dizon also showered the young cast with compliments, saying they were impressed with their acting capabilities and professionalism.
“Pira-Pirasong Paraiso” is a co-production series between ABS-CBN and TV5 and directed by Raymund Ocampo and Roderick Lindayag.
In the last two weeks of “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso,” the long-awaited reunion of Paraiso sisters Amy, Beth, and Diana (Loisa, Alexa, and Charlie) with their father Daniel (Gardo Versoza) is in great jeopardy as syndicate leader Criselda (Rosanna Roces), together with her allies Jacinda, Badong, and Hilary (Snooky Serna, Epy Quizon, and Elisse), threaten to exact revenge against them and take their lives.
“Pira-Pirasong Paraiso” airs Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. and on Saturdays at 3 p.m., on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC.
