Alden Richards returns to primetime TV in “Mundo Mo’y Akin”

CEBU, Philippines - After his much admired performance as Tisoy in the series

“One True Love” (for which he got a nomination as Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series at the 2012 Golden Screen Awards), Alden Richards is back on primetime TV via the new GMA offering “Mundo Mo’y Akin.” He is reunited here with Louise delos Reyes who was his partner in “One True Love.”

While “One True Love” showed how good an actor Alden is, it took quite a while before a new acting assignment came along for him. He was cast as the young Simeon (the character played by Sen. Bong Revilla) in “Indio,” one of the biggest projects of GMA 7for 2013. “I am proud to have played the role of the young Bong Revilla. Hindi ko naman naramdaman  ang six months na wala akong show but when I counted the days, I realized I have not acted in six months in a regular show,” said the handsome Kapuso actor.

So how does it feel to be back? “Ang sarap. It really feels good. It is really an inspiration kasi I can feel that I am not taken for granted by the network,” said Alden. But is there pressure that you’ve got to do better here in “Mundo Mo’y Akin” since the public would surely have high expectations after the success of “One True Love?”

“There is really pressure because One True Love really did well. But considering the big stars we had in Mundo Mo’y Akin, I am quite sure we will also do well in the new series. We have a very good cast,” says Alden who is playing the role of a sous chef in the TV drama. “I graduated from culinary school because Ate Jolina sent me to school but she is going to use me as an instrument to get back the riches that truly belong to her. She is going to use me for revenge.”

He is playing the role of Jerome Alvarez and he is excited with it. “I am playing a different role so they will see Alden who is more mature unlike in One True Love where I see myself as somewhat childish but it’s heavy drama. Mundo Mo’y Akin is heavy drama but my role is really serious. It goes well together.”

How is Louise? “She’s fine and we are looking forward to doing another show together plus we have Lauren Young in the cast, which makes the show a love triangle. It’s going to be new experience for me. In One True Love, we had  light love triangle. Dito naman we have two girls plus one guy. Ang guwapo ko naman, parang ganun,” joked Alden. He is also looking forward to the support of their fans.

What is the challenge in doing this new soap? “I need to show something new. Hindi dapat sabihin ng mga tao na they are seeing Alden. I just want them to see me doing this role very differently. I want the audience to remember me as Jerome, the same way they remembered me as Tisoy,”said the Kapuso actor.

How would you describe Jerome? “Since he was adapted, he will be dreaming big. He will be a fighter as well. He experienced what it was like to be treated unfairly when he was a child but when he grew up he became more assertive. Medyo may angas ng konti si Jerome. He is very different from Tisoy na aping-api. Basta ibang-iba si Jerome.”

He got an acting nomination for “One True Love” at the  2012 Golden Screen TV Awards. Alden is hoping that his acting in Mundo Mo’y Akin also gets notice and finally give him the much-coveted award.

***

It’s not just about catching crooks and monitoring election law violators. Close to half a million Bayan Patrollers are using citizen journalism skills to engage candidates and government and push solutions to community problems.

As ABS-CBN revs up its Halalan2013 campaign with a final swing of citizen journalism and voters’ empowerment workshops, its integrated news service is tapping the wonders of digital technology to present viewers with the country’s broadest interactive election coverage.

“Bayan Mo iPatrol Mo,” the country’s longest-running citizen journalism program conducted with partner schools and organizations 46 voters’ empowerment forums and workshops in the last semester of 2012.

ABS-CBN’s Integrated News Division has also launched its “KampanyaSerye,” providing more in-depth coverage of key electoral races in the country.

“KampanyaSerye” and “Harapan” involve citizens in confronting candidates on issues of corruption and effective governance. BMPM’s “Tayo Na” workshops encourage citizens to base their votes on important gut issues.

BMPM’s new slogan, “Tayo Na,” anchors the network’s election campaign.  The call echoes reality on the ground, where citizens are using social media not only to call attention to community problems but also to organize and mobilize collective initiatives for change.

Television viewers and netizens have praised ABS-CBN’s “KampanyaSerye,” a series of teleserye-style documentaries that started last January 14 where the network’s journalists explore the stories behind the headlines, campaign promises, drama, and characters in key Halalan2013 battlegrounds. (FREEMAN)