The Rain in España cast members form close bond while filming series
MANILA, Philippines — The cast members of Viva One’s adaptation of the hit Wattpad series, The Rain in España, authored by Gwy Saludes, have bonded and formed a close friendship while filming the university series.
The show, which is now streaming on Viva One, is directed by Theodore Boborol (Finally Found Someone, Vince and Kath and James and Just the Way You Are) with Chynna Ortaleza as the creative producer and her husband, Kean Cipriano, as the music director.
Actors Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo play the main characters, Kalix and Luna, respectively, in the 10-part romantic-comedy Viva offering. The story sees Kalix and Luna meeting each other as students and their romance has been cut short. Years later, they are reunited to work on a special project.
Direk Theodore shared in a press conference that the actors really bonded together on set and outside of work that led them to forge a real-life friendship.
The boys, Marco, Frost Sandoval and Andre Yllana, would spend time in the gym as a form of bonding. The filmmaker said, “Marco would help the two na magpalaki ng katawan. He would also hang out at Frost’s house. They would also call Aiko (Melendez) para pasamahin si Andre mag-overnight. Andre’s parents are strict. What Marco said is true, naging totoong barkada silang tatlo.”
“And then, obviously, I saw how Heaven and Marco’s relationship (developed). Because (at first) parang kantyawan kantyawan lang. But I saw how they really care(d) for each other… They know that this is a potential partnership na pwedeng lumaki and they really have to help each other,” direk Theodore maintained.
“I don’t (know) about their personal lives but professionally, they really want to make it big and they know (that in order to) make it big, they have to work hard. For their love team to work, kailangan nilang asahan ang isa’t isa. That’s what I like about them. It wasn’t difficult for me.”
On the other hand, Krissha Viaje, who plays the “wild and adventurous” Yanna, mentioned that filming the university series with the other actors led her to discover more of herself.
Nicole Omillo, who portrays Kierra, Luna’s cousin and best friend, shared they “really get along well on set and off set, especially the girls. We spent so much time together. Yung mga napapagod, kung paano sila napapagod, kung paano sila nagagalit (we witnessed all that).”
“It’s like it’s good that we all complement each other if that makes any sense. Para pong may isang nahihirapan, may paghuhugutan. We helped each other,” she added.
Aubrey Caraan, who takes on the role of the “sweet and kind” Sam, admitted that she is an introvert but she was able to blend well. “They (co-actors) were a huge help,” she asserted.
Heaven would also invite her to go clubbing and that’s when Aubrey discovered the “fun side” of her co-actors, as well as how passionate and talented they are as actors. “I’m very thankful that onscreen, we’re friends. Off screen, we still remain as friends.”
Gab Lagman, who plays Sevi, the captain of a basketball team, revealed, “They like doing TikTok on set.”
But he was “thankful to be part of the cast because we bonded like family and friends.” He said, “I feel like this friendship is gonna be like forever. I’m very thankful. I witnessed how hardworking they are and serious (when it comes to their craft.)”
Bea Binene (as Via) said she “found a new set of friends” in her first project outside GMA Network via The Rain in España. “I feel very blessed because alam naman po natin na oo merong makakatrabaho but not all of them will turn out to be your friends… I feel very lucky and blessed that I was able to find and have found new friends (here).”
The girls went to Boracay and enjoyed water sports and painting as their bonding activities, Bea recalled.
Heaven, meanwhile, realized that she could actually do rom-com, aside from the “serious, heavy drama” roles she had portrayed before. “(Through the series), I discovered that I can do it. Direk would really push me (to do it). (For that), I am really thankful.”
“I think I also get to bring out the kid inside me na ang tagal ko rin siguro na tinago. Na-bu-bury. Now, I get to enjoy it,” she furthered.
“Every single one of us has something in common, which (is) really wanting to do good and really having that drive and inspiration to just give our best and pour in the time and passion… more than the paycheck,” Marco told the press and added how proud he is for the efforts they have done in the series.
Frost Sandoval (as Leo) gained a lot of insights from his castmates. “The time I spent with them, I was able to learn so much more and I was able to put into practice so much more for my work ethic,” he noted.
Frost ascertained the extent of their friendship when they had a moment at the Burger King. He recalled, “We ate (at) Burger King together and that’s when I realized that, ‘Wow, our chemistry here’s gonna really do really great.’ So I’m really thankful for having so many opportunities to bond with everyone here.”
Aiko and Jomari Yllana’s son, Andre (as Adonis), appreciated how the cast members he got to collaborate with are “more than just workmates.” He considered them as his “friends and family.”
He agreed to what Frost said earlier, “When we are at Burger King, I live in Fairview, Marco is from Shaw, pero dinadayo ko po si Marco and Frost, so we could hang out.”
He further shared another discovery, “Heaven and Marco really look good together,” and added, “Watch out for Gabby (Padilla) in the series. Nakakainis po talaga siya.”
Indie actress Gabby, for her part, described her character Amethyst as someone who will be the “cause of problem” of Kalix and Luna’s relationship. “This is one of my first mainstream projects,” said Gabby. “I’m not really aware kung ano yung culture.”
But she was grateful for the opportunity that was given to her, for the guidance of direk and the team and the workshop they attended which assisted her to do her part in the series. “From the workshop pa lang, it feels like it’s such a safe space. We really felt the solid trust and support from each other.”
She and the boys would also get together to play Mobile Legends and join the girls in creating TikTok content.
Meanwhile, Heaven is “thankful” that she got to team up and reunited with her former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemate Marco. “Marco and I, we bring out the best in each other… So nakakatuwa,” she commented.
Does it mean that their feelings for each other have been rekindled as well? Marco asked Heaven to answer the question first and she replied, “Let’s say yung sa PBB siguro, now, mas deeper yung emotions. Yes. Basta kung… I don’t know how to answer this.”
Marco chipped in, “I guess, yeah, a tiny crush is there, you know. I mean I don’t know… I’m sure there’s definitely something there for me. But… I’ll take it slow this time. We have a lot of work, so there’s time.”
Heaven was further queried if Marco would court her this time, how would she react to it? “I will answer that question maybe next time,” she said.
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