Malaysia's finest and Philippines' best in "MULI"

Sought-after hunk-actor Alfred Vargas heads the cast of local actors as he plays the male protagonist, Lukas - an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Malaysia - in GMA 7's newest afternoon series "Muli." He shares the lead with Malaysian superstar and Ms. Malaysia title-holder Carrie Lee, whose character he is set to meet after a series of interesting coincidences surely to keep viewers aching for more. The Richard Gutierrez-Angel Locsin starrer - The Promise - truly lived up to its expectation as it totally floored the Valentine reveling public with a banging 10.6M gross on its opening day. Whew! I'm sure, those who've seen it were thoroughly warmed by Daniel and Andrea's love scenes and passionate kisses, which, I was told peppered this local adaptation of Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights.

To be exact, The Promise turned in P 10,646,821.20 - on Valentine's Day alone. Need we say that it's a certified hit?

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GMA is set to uncork another explosive treat for its viewers as it brings a different Richard Gutierrez via the soon-to-be launched LUPIN. In a chance interview, Richard expressed his excitement over this new project. Adding that if his followers loved the Captain Barbell series, then the audience will surely warm up to LUPIN.

Insiders note that the upcoming project will definitely keep viewers on the edge as it combines the feel and thrill of Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible and George Clooney's Ocean's Eleven. LUPIN finished its pictorial last week and just as you're reading this piece, cameras are probably rolling. Now, that is something to watch out for!

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Still threading on the inexhaustible topic of "love". It has been said that love transcends all; that the abstraction of this powerful emotion knows no time and is bordered by no boundaries; that love even challenges what is unconventional; that love, which rests in a lover's heart has a language of its own, and only the heart understands it best; that love, for all of its brazen simplicity remains a mystery; that love conquers all.

While some might scoff at the seemingly string of mush, I beg no apologies. You have to agree, there is an undercurrent of truth streaming from it.

Attended the press conference held by GMA Network Inc. for its newest show that will hit our afternoon boobtube last Monday. And after seeing the teaser, I'm convinced, the Kapuso Network has the word "hit" written all over this one.

In cooperation with a Malaysian production outfit, GMA's new television series "MULI" has burst into our screens with a story that has carefully sewn a quilted tapestry of love. "MULI" boasts of an interesting cast, a merry-mix of Malaysia's finest and Philippines' best in one television project that will put the local actors in the same bar as their foreign counterparts. Meaning, when MULI unreels this week, to occupy the afternoon slot vacated by Makita Kang Muli, expect Filipino actors to share the lead part and enjoy lengthy exposures as well.

Showbiz's most sought-after hunk-actor Alfred Vargas heads the cast of local actors as he plays the male protagonist, Lukas - a software engineer who will be working as an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in Malaysia. Alfred shares the lead with Malaysian superstar and Ms. Malaysia title-holder Carrie Lee, whose character Cheryl he is set to meet after a series of interesting happenstance that will surely keep the viewers aching for more.

GMA's newest afternoon soap, directed by Mac Alejandre, consciously brings to fore the melding of two cultures and traditions. Direk Mark added that they have come up with a soap that is balanced and enjoyable without coming off as too Malaysian or too Pinoy, hence, the finished product clearly registers the message love transcends all almost fluidly. That there is an almost postcard feel, even in the seemingly most ordinary location is the immediate impression one can get, just by watching the trailer, what more the entire series.

MULI serves us the twin-romanticized tablet of true love and destiny in velvety capsules that will leave us with a jagged high.

True love. The concept of being swept off your feet by the one has always fiddled any woman's reverie. Always, always we dream, hope and pray of finding that special someone whom we wish to be with for the rest of our lives (amen.amen.amen.), someone to love and be loved in return. Men in return (well, at least some of the guys I know) secretly wish to find the girl whom they'd confide and find home to.

Destiny. Are we really fated to be with that particular someone? How do we find that unnamed face in a sea of strangers? Does fate really crosses time and bridge races to keep two hearts in one place?

The theme is something that most people have entertained in their thoughts, and perhaps cradled in their hearts. So it's little wonder that MULI will tug at every curious niche of our system.

Alfred and Carrie clearly wore their characters on their sleeves, evident with the kind of promising chemistry that sparks on the screen. It's little wonder then that they'd fall for each other after making the soap (but of course, we all know that hunky Alfred has given his heart to someone else).

I don't want to spill all the excitement and get your romantic juices all worked up. Just heed my advice.

Get ready to be swept off your feet this week as MULI weaves its mantra of fate, true love and destiny!

P.S. In case you're itching to know more about Carrie Lee, well, I've got an exclusive with her so you'd better not miss it here in The FREE-MAN's entertain-ment pages.