Got to believe in the Kathniel magic

MANILA, Philippines - The idea of serendipity has been essayed on both small and big screens. The “meant-to-be” mantra on love always enjoys a fair share of following, even a callous heart can be won by its “I’ll-be-seeing-you” subtext. This seems to be explored by the latest Kapamilya romantic series titled Got to Believe.

Yes, it reminds you of Claudine Barretto starrer. But it is not the nightly reinterpretation of that Star Cinema box-office hit. Got to Believe adds to the visual texts and broadcast literature on discovering the magic of love, especially when Fate becomes playful at times.       

“Yes, it’s totally different,” clarifies director Cathy Garcia-Molina. “(The movie and the TV series) just have the same theme song, but the rendition is different. They have the same genre (which is romance).”

The star-crossed lovers are in their teens and they have felt that spark long before they reach adolescence.

Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo will give life to the characters of Joaquin and Chichay, respectively. Got to Believe is the much-awaited TV project of Kathniel after the successful Princess & I. The five-month wait for their fans is finally over.

“It’s a different excitement we feel for the project,” Kathryn says. “Viewers will watch something new… It’s just all good vibes during taping.”

Got to Believe is direk Cathy’s first collaboration with Kathniel. Doing a primetime soap, however, is not a new territory to Cathy. Juan dela Cruz cannot be blamed for the misconception because the lady director is associated with blockbuster movies, particularly those of John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo.

“I just worked with them for two days,” she shares. “(It’s) first-time ever. They told me he is makulit, but masayang makulit. He listens, he explores. With Kathryn, I already worked with her when she was young. We’re not that alien or stranger to each other. Si Daniel ang mukhang alien sa akin (laughs). But I have witnessed how he could draw a crowd. I can only wish the best for the two. I’ve seen their potential. Attitude na lang ang pag-uusapan natin — how much they want it? Why do they have to do this? Why they have to be actors or to give good shows? Otherwise, they have it. The magic is there.”

That means Kathryn is “very comfortable with DJ,” and vice versa. It has become an advantage to their team-up.

“I’m Joaquin who has a bullet in his head,” Daniel differentiates his character from the throne-bound Gino of Princess & I. “He plays basketball. His mom doesn’t allow him to go anywhere. He is living a ‘controlled’ life.”

This is a stark contrast to the “carnival” life of Kathryn’s Chichay. “She is very cheerful and an easy-go-lucky (kind of person). She is always jolly and artistic. She dreams to have a matangos na ilong.”

Chichay and Joaquin are childhood friends in the story. The two part ways without getting their names. Chichay wishes to meet Joaquin one day. And when the simple wish is granted, they unknowingly and unwittingly cross paths.

Coming from the success of Princess & I, there’s a conscious effort to make Got to Believe different, according to the show’s think-tanks. The teleplay is inspired by the story of a boy with a bullet being lodged on his head. When he surpassed the incident, people close to him have noticed a change in the child’s personality. That has become the germ for the plot and conflict of Got to Believe.

“I believe in the magic of love,” Kathryn says. “It can change everything.”

“This is magic, what’s happening in my life, not only in my (personal) life, but also in my family,” Daniel adds. “It is like a fairy tale.”

(Got to Believe will premiere soon this month on Primetime Bida and also stars Manilyn Reynes, Benjie Paras, Ian Veneracion and Carmina Villarroel.)