MANILA, Philippines — After it has successfully presented Start-Up PH as the local adaptation of the hit South Korean drama series, GMA 7 flexes its muscles again in retelling another popular and familiar TV series. What’s different — and also exciting — this time around is, it’s turning the Japanese anime series into a live action one, titled Voltes V: Legacy.
Taking on the characters of Steve, Robert or Big Bert, Little Jon, Mark Gordon and Jamie Robinson are Miguel Tanfelix, Matt Lozano, Raphael Landicho, Radson Flores and Ysabel Ortega, respectively.
Similar to their dramatis personae, who represent the saying, “There’s strength in numbers,” the Sparkle GMA Artist Center talents came together as one for the recent virtual press conference to herald the Kapuso show’s theatrical release on April 19 and its TV premiere sometime in May. The former dubbed Voltes V Legacy: The Cinematic Experience serves as a sneak peek into the first three weeks of Voltes V: Legacy to be screened at SM cinemas.
As shown in the trailer, everyone will be treated to an epic ride, full of action and adventure. It commences on the big screen and continues on the small screen.
“(First) I would like to say that we have become super close to each other,” began Radson when he and Voltes V: Legacy co-actors were asked about an aspect of doing the TV series they enjoyed the most. “We had this scene that we shot, wherein all of us were side by side (in one frame) and together. It shows each character’s (personality) and I found it beautiful.”
With Matt, he also liked the off-cam moments. “Dun (din) talaga lumalabas yung bonding namin lahat (It shows the bond that we had and we had good time) to the point and sometimes I thought that we were like real-life siblings, we were like a real family, that was a part that I enjoyed, too, in this project,” he shared.
For her part, Ysabel took the pleasure in recreating iconic scenes such as the butterfly return technique, “in which we spent hours to perfect it,” she said. “(Aside from those,) I also find the bloopers memorable. Basta minsan tumatawa kami kahit one hour later (for merely recalling any of those fun times), you know there were so many moments that I really treasure the most that happened behind the scenes.”
Miguel joined the conversation by saying that Voltes V: Legacy was taped in different locations. “It had La Union, Batangas and went around Luzon,” recalled he. “The one that I enjoyed the most was Subic, where we had our lock-in (taping). I think we stayed there for five to seven days. (The place where we were billeted) was like a villa, in which we had a room and a common area and Radson, Matt and I were roommates. We would jam there and swim (in the pool) during the rest day. Sabay-sabay kaming kumakain at nag-wo-workout (We would dine and work out together). So, I got to know them well.”
As for Raphael’s choice, it’s going to be his scene with the dolphin, as being shown in The Cinematic Experience. “Yung nakasakay po ako sa dolphin (I was riding on it). At first, takot po ako talaga kasi first time ko lang pong maka-encounter ng dolphin, first time ko (itong) mahawakan, makipaglaro, mapakain yun po (At first, I was afraid because it was my first time to encounter a dolphin as well as to interact with and feed it)… kaya unforgettable po yun talaga para sa akin.”
Like in any adaptation, Voltes V: Legacy will pay homage to the original story and bring newness to it. The animé TV series captures human emotions and experiences, but a live action also gives their depiction and storytelling a different texture.
“For me, (the story) has become more real, mas naging totoong tao yung character namin dito kumpara sa animé,” said Miguel, “May iba’t-ibang layers personally… mas may depth yung mga characters, but our characters were not far different from the original characters, not to the point when the fans watch them, they can no longer identify the characters. Parehas na parehas pa rin, pero nilagyan lang ng layer, mas ni-humanize namin yung characters namin.”
Given the production considerations such as the technical nitty-gritty that have made the series’ premiere this year, the creative and hard work of the men and women behind Voltes V: Legacy will be finally seen.
“Of course, we’re all very happy and excited,” said Ysabel. “But there’s the feeling of pressured and kaba (being nervous) kasi you’ve been working on this project for so long, tapos sanay na rin kayo na in the making lang siya, sanay rin po kayo na pieces pa lang yung nakikita ninyo of the big picture, yung nagagawa nyo.
“But now we have an airing date, ipapalabas na kami sa sinehan… nakakakaba rin siya, even us po hindi pa rin namin talaga nakikita yung pinaka finished product, you know I’m more on feeling excited and kinakabahan in a good way kasi even without seeing the big picture talagang we know we made a good show and I’m excited to see (and watch) everything.”
Again, the Pinoy adaptation, Voltes V: Legacy, directed by Mark Reyes, is unique platform-wise. It will first hit local cinemas before the small screen.