Be Careful marks ‘2’ with free concert

MANILA, Philippines - Two years and still counting. Be Careful With My Heart has outlasted many a TV series already and it sees no sign of ending, just yet.

During a recent presscon at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater, it was not lost on the cast how two years earlier, they were at the same venue, fielding questions about their expectations of what started out as an “experimental” daytime teleserye that tried out the then-untested and unproven tandem of Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria.

Business unit head Ginny Ocampo couldn’t stress enough how they never thought the show would run this long. Be Careful was supposed to be a “one-and-done” show, set to run for a single season or an equivalent of 13 weeks only. Then, it enjoyed several extensions although not without rumors as well as recorded statements of possible end dates.

Now, there’s no telling when it will. One thing is for sure, it has been eight seasons (or a total of 104 weeks) since the show premiered in July 2012. “As creators, we have a target ending but at the end of the day, it’s the management and of course, the audience that will decide on it. At this point, nothing is definite. I cannot answer the question on until when (Be Careful will run) but all things will come to an end eventually,” said Ginny.

Meantime, Be Careful with My Heart is throwing a second anniversary-cum-thanksgiving party on July 25 at the Big Dome. Initially, they thought of pricing the tickets, proceeds of which to benefit a chosen charity. But Ginny said, “In the end, we decided to make it free because it will ruin its essence as a thanksgiving concert if we sell the tickets.”

While the Be Careful cast has done overseas concert tours, particularly for TFC fans in the Middle East and North America, performing at the Big Dome is taking things to a whole new level.

“It’s everybody’s dream because when people say you’ve performed at the Araneta, then you’ve arrived,” said Richard, who will be singing more Tagalog songs this time and maybe a few cuts from his debut album released early this year.

Jodi herself will do something she has never done before (Clue: a Rihanna-inspired dance number).

Doing concerts is just one of the many things that have had happened in their lives and careers these past two years, many thanks to the show.

According to Jodi, whose character Maya — the barrio lass-turned-nanny-turned wife to Richard’s rich widower character, Ser Chief — is her first leading role on TV, “I’ve never imagined my career would still reach where it is now. I was already OK with what I was doing before, playing support and character roles. For as long as I get to do what I wanted to do (which is acting) I was okay. I never imagined this will still happen. It came at a perfect time. Everything fell into place.”

She added, “This show opened a lot of doors and opportunities in my career. For one, never ko naman naisip na magkaroon ako ng album, that we would get the opportunity to perform in other countries, and then now a show at Araneta. (Be Careful) has been a humbling experience for me. I cannot say that I deserve this or that this is long overdue, but you know, God has been so good to me that He gave me this blessing. It has been a wonderful journey.”

For his part, Richard, a late entrant to showbiz (he was already in his 40s when he first acted via the series Binondo Girl) who wasn’t eyeing an acting career in the first place said, “I never expected any of this to happen. In fact, I had no expectations at all. After Binondo Girl and Walang Hanggan, I had second thoughts about continuing showbiz.

“When this was offered, I was still reluctant… because I was new. I wasn’t sure what the future had in store for me. Alam naman natin showbiz is not stable; it’s not something that you do every day. But I’ve found a balance; I can continue with my businesses and still be in showbiz… I’m glad God gave me the right answer. This has gone on for two years now, so we’re really, really thankful. I’m happy where I’m now.”

 He also said that the cast has become family who has been instrumental in making him enjoy his newfound career. “We found true friends amongst us,” adding that “nadagdagan yung confidence ko in acting and in singing (haha). I’m thankful I’ve learned so much from (my co-stars).”

Playing such a wholesome and well-loved character as Maya (who in the next episodes viewers will see getting torn between family life and her desire to fulfill career dreams) has also taught Jodi to be more circumspect in her next project choices.

Whatever she takes on after Be Careful “will really depend on the project, but I’m really thinking after Be Careful with My Heart, I hope the projects I will do can impart values. We know how big the effect of television is on viewers. I feel that it’s my responsibility now. I cannot just do any project. I need to carefully choose projects after this show.”