‘Pamilya Sagrado’ is Piolo’s comeback series, first grand project for other cast members, director

The ABS-CBN and Dreamscape Entertainment action-thriller series “Pamilya Sagrado” marks many firsts for some of its actors and the creative team. They consider it a major project.

For one, it is Piolo Pascual’s comeback series following the drama series “Flower of Evil” and it will be his first time to essay the role of a “villainous politician,” which is in stark contrast to his mainly good-guy image in drama and rom-com portrayals.

“First of all, playing corrupt politician is something that I haven’t done before. So, it’s like walking on eggshells because ayaw mong masabihan na may pinapatamaan ka, because at the end of the day it’s fictional,” declared the actor at a mediacon.

“So, we’re trying to be careful, at the same time, we really want to mirror society as it’s happening nowadays. That’s all from me. At the end of the day, I’m just an artist. I’m a talent and I want to be able to personify a certain character.”

“When Tito (the late) Deo (Endrinal) told me that it’s only 100 episodes, I counted the taping days and I said, ‘Let’s go,’” he recalled how he was convinced by the late Dreamscape Entertainment boss to take on the project.

According to a media release, “Pamilya Sagrado” is a gripping tale on the value of brotherhood and loyalty to one’s family. The story will navigate the complex world of fraternities and hazing and what it means to go against one’s morals for the sake of protecting one’s reputation.

It will introduce Rafael (Piolo), an influential governor who is continuing his family’s political reigns. In the same vein, viewers will also witness the clash between Moises and Justine (Kyle Echarri and Grae Fernandez), two boys who come from completely different worlds.

Moises is described as a simple yet persevering boy with big dreams, while Justine, the son of Rafael, is an entitled boy that feels the innate pressure from his family to succeed in life. Despite their differences, Moises and Justine eventually form an unbreakable bond.

The Sagrado family’s reputation will be put in great danger when a wrongful death of a student due to hazing gets traced to a fraternity group led by Justine. With everything at risk, the Sagrados go great lengths to protect their sacred image and throughout the process, dark secrets come to light and threaten to break their family apart.

“Maybe if I turned it down, it could be my biggest regret in my life after what happened to Tito Deo,” continued Piolo. “But you know taking on this character, as I’ve said it is the responsibility of the actor to do something that the people think they haven’t seen.”

“And when this was offered, it wasn’t about being a bad guy or baka mag-paint ng ibang picture sa tao. But it’s all about redemption. It’s not bad naman all throughout so overarched yung journey na nagsimula siya dito.”

But through the course of time, the viewers will witness the “change of his character as a human and not just being a politician or a father,” he added. “That’s what I like about the role. When Tito Deo told me that baka maging president of the Philippines ka dito, I said, ‘Tito Deo, me? As a president? I’m still young.’ He answered, ‘Why not?’”

“I said, ‘OK, if you believe, if you think I can do it.’ So that’s when I realized (and said), ‘Let’s see. That’s quite challenging.’ So why not do it.”

For Kyle, he is still “shocked” at being cast in “Pamilya Sagrado,” which he considers as his biggest project to date. “I didn’t think it was gonna be this big and it’s a dream come true for me. I’m really thankful to Dreamscape na talagang anak niyo na po ako since I think I was 12 years old. Nasa inyo na po ako. I’m so blessed and I’m so happy.”

The series is directed by Lawrence Fajardo, Andoy Ranay, and Rico Navarro. It also features veteran cast members, including Shaina Magdayao, Mylene Dizon, Rosanna Roces, Aiko Melendez, Tirso Cruz III, John Arcilla, and Joel Torre.

Daniela Stranner, Jeremiah Lisbo, Alyanna Angeles, Micaela Santos, River Joseph, Emilio Daez, Sean Tristan, Austin Cabatana, Luis Vera Perez, Dustine Mayores, Miggs Cuaderno, Valentino Jaafar, Isaiah dela Cruz, Beaver Magtalas, and Renshi de Guzman are also part of the ensemble cast.

Direk Law, who was seemingly nervous and admitted that he was experiencing stage fright, during the mediacon, remarked that “Pamilya Sagrado” is not only his first for ABS-CBN and Dreamscape but also his first telerserye.

He furthered that in 2001, a friend of his invited him to work behind the scenes for ABS-CBN’s art department.

“In 2001, I remember my first work for ABS-CBN was the station ID. There was a big kite,” he recounted. “That signaled the start of my career when I worked for ABS-CBN. Dalawa kami (his friend) na naglagay ng tali para sa kite na yun.”

“I was part of the art department and I was very happy to see all the actors in one day. The first artist that I saw na National Artist na ngayon is Sir Ricky Lee. And now, looking back, I’m glad that I’m here, sa pinakamalaking stage ng career ko.”

He went on to thank Deo for giving him the chance to work on the series and entrusting him with such a huge project.

Meanwhile, it was mentioned during the mediacon that “Pamilya Sagrado” is the grandest teleserye that creative manager Joel Mercado and his team have ever written.

“Sa dami ng cast, I guess. Kita niyo naman ginastusan. The story is big. The story is inspired by what’s happening (around us) or our experiences. It touches on the world of fraternity, politics, world ng masa, college. Andaming worlds na pinagsama-sama para mabuo ‘tong kwento,” stated Joel.

Shaina, on the other hand, shared that this is her comeback series after “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” “I was able to rest after more than a year. And usually, kasi iikot ka sa ibang unit but I was very honored na naipatawag ako ni Sir Deo.”

“This is the last show na nabigyan ng green light ni Sir Deo, so this is very special, not just to me, but to the whole family (of) ‘Pamilya Sagrado,’” she added.

(“Pamilya Sagrado” premieres on June 17 at 8:45 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live, and TFC. The series also streams 48 hours before its TV broadcast on iWantTFC.)