Maricel Laxa is back — and how.
After her turn in Regal’s “Mano Po Legacy” series on GMA, the versatile actress is taking on the role of a widow who finds love anew in Zoren Legaspi in GMA’s afternoon soap, “Apoy sa Langit,” premiering today, May 2.
Maricel faces a different kind of challenge playing Gemma Hidalgo, a loving mother who won’t let anyone get in the way of her second chance at love.
“It’s a stretch for me siyempre, it’s been a while pero I’m enjoying myself and for me it’s a brand new experience na masterclass kasi it’s my first time to really work on a teleserye with Direk Laurice [Guillen] so, I’m really absorbing everything I can, I’m writing things down, I’m doing extra homework and I’m making myself really available to learn, to go to the next level and have fun most of all,” shares the actress.
Zoren, who plays the secretive husband, Cesar Monastreal, reveals working extra hard for this series since he doesn’t want to disappoint his director. “You know this project, hindi siya biro. If you’re working with Direk Laurice, you got to be a thinking actor and that’s the only way you’re going to appreciate her…It’s really a special role for me that’s why I’m excited to work everyday dahil gustung-gusto ko ang character ni Cesar.”
Mikee Quintos is all set to showcase her versatility in drama as Ning Hidalgo, Gemma’s unica hija. As a child, she witnessed the murder of her father, and this time, she will witness how her mom’s new husband cheats on her.
“’Yung challenge po here sa lahat ng ginawa kong characters, si Ning ‘yung may pinakamabigat na dinadala sa loob. I can say na mas mabigat pa sa dala ni Myla sa ‘Onanay’ kasi ito may trauma and nahihirapan siyang i-handle ‘yun na kino-consume na siya nang trauma niya at nahihirapan na siyang mabuhay ng normal. Pinakahirap akong i-express yung galit and because of Ning, natututunan ko kung paano i-express yung galit in different ways and with great help from Direk Laurice din, she’s very straight to the point with what she wants and that helped me a lot sa mga eksena,” says Mikee as she takes her acting a notch higher in portraying her character.
Lianne Valentin stars in her most daring role as Stella Fernandez, the woman who falls in love with Cesar. “I’m super happy noong nalaman ko na nakuha ko ang role ni Stella. It’s very challenging and new for me. I just know na it’s sexy, daring, and mature role pero mas na-realize ko habang tumatagal na ‘yung role ni Stella, there’s more to it dahil maraming shift and emotions…And personally ‘yung pagiging sexy and daring, nahihirapan ako diyan pero sinet ko lang ang mind ko na I’m gonna commit, ako si Stella, I’m gonna do Stella and Stella is my role, sa akin lang siya wala nang iba and it pulled off naman and sobrang iba ‘yung makikita ninyong Lianne dito.”
Joining them are Mariz Ricketts as Blessie Atienza, Gemma’s best friend; Carlos Siguion-Reyna as Edong Tayag, Cesar’s sidekick who knows all of his secrets; Dave Bornea as Anthony Zulueta, Stella’s ex-boyfriend; Coleen Paz as Patring Benepayo, Stella’s best friend; Celine Fajardo as Iyah Legarda, Ning’s supportive best friend; Patricia Ismael as Lucy Fuerte, Gemma’s loyal kasambahay; Mio Maranan as Toto Pancho, a security guard at Villa Fuego.
The series is made possible under the supervision of GMA’s Entertainment Group led by SVP Lilybeth G. Rasonable and the creative team is headed by creative director Aloy Adlawan.
Award-winning actress-director Laurice Guillen is at the helm of this series.
“Apoy sa Langit” airs Monday to Saturday on GMA.
