Elmo Magalona and Janine Gutierrez star in ‘Villa Quintana’ remake

CEBU, Philippines - This November, GMA Network presents “Villa Quintana,” a heartwarming love story that became a phenomenal hit series in the mid-90s.  Mothers today are definitely sentimental when they reminisce the love between Isagani and Lynette, originally portrayed by Keempee de Leon and Donna Cruz.

Teen heartthrob Elmo Magalona and promising actress Janine Gutierrez reprise the roles, driving strong anticipation among fans of the original series. As they breathe life into the characters of Isagani Samonte and Lynette Quintana, they retell a great love story in a way that best represents how sweet young love can be. 

Isagani (Elmo) is the lovechild of Robert and Lumeng but will grow up knowing his father is Felix. He lives a simple life in the farm together with his parents. He eventually falls and fights for his love for Lynette. Meanwhile, Lynette (Janine) will be mistaken by Don Manolo as the child of Robert and Lumeng. Thus she grows up living a very comfortable and affluent life.

“Villa Quintana” is not only an acting piece for the new team up of Elmo and Janine but also the show’s love triangle of bankable stars: Raymart Santiago, Sunshine Dizon and Paolo Contis.

Raymart plays the role of Felix Samonte. He stood as the father of Isagani when Robert abandoned Lumeng and because he always loved Lumeng, he married her to save her from disgrace. He is a kind, understanding and patient person but he also fights for what he believes in. Paolo portrays the role of Robert Quintana, the only son of Don Manolo and the real father of Isagani. He falls in love with Lumeng but Don Manolo is against it because Lumeng is not from a prominent and landed family.

Lumeng Samonte, the mother of Isagani is portrayed by Sunshine. Robert was her first love but she eventually married Felix. She is smart, fearless and has a strong and positive outlook in life. She focuses on possibilities rather than life’s challenges and will stand up and fight for her family and for what they rightfully deserve.

The series is a modern-day Romeo and Juliet, their family’s tension against the brewing romance that’s driven by past hurts and offenses.  Lumeng is not in favor of the relationship because of how the Quintanas treated her when she was younger.

But Isagani will continue to fight for his love for Lynette, despite his mother’s objections and while the Quintanas betroth Lynette to a young man who also comes from a wealthy and influential clan. Being educated abroad, Lynette affirms her independence and upholds her right to choose the man she loves, which results to a bitter struggle with her family, particularly her grandfather Don Manolo who is against any type of modernization.

Nothing can separate Isagani and Lynette, not even the manipulative pressures from the Quintanas. Everything changes when Lumeng discovers a secret of the Quintanas that overturns odds, a detail from the past that affects the fate of the young couple’s love for each other.

Under the direction of Gina Alajar, the remake also stars Roy Alvarez, Maricar De Mesa, Tanya Garcia, Kyla, Marky Lopez, Juancho Trivino and Rita de Guzman.

“Villa Quintana” premieres this Monday (Nov. 4) after “Eat Bulaga.” (PR)(FREEMAN)