Benjamin Alves and Rafael Rosell take on short yet intriguing stints in ‘Widows’ War’

MANILA, Philippines — Rafael Rosell and Benjamin Alves portray the well-off and well-groomed Palacios men, Paco and Basil, respectively, in “Widows’ War.” The latter are husbands to Sam and George (Bea Alonzo and Carla Abellana).

Given the GMA Prime show’s title, the fate of Paco and Basil has already been predetermined to be “short and sweet” and “intriguingly brief.” It will spark curiosity about Paco and Basil’s true identity and intention among people who surround them and whose identity and intention could also be questioned.

Yes, the characters’ onscreen presence is limited, but their value in the story is never diminished.

“More than anything really, in every set that I go to (and work on), in every character (that I take on), it’s always that same approach, which is, I will do my best to understand the character and not judge him,” said Rafael of essaying a role in a recent press conference.

“To be able to portray a character, you have to accept him fully. I’ve accepted Paco Palacios fully, although sobrang halos hindi ako makapag-relate sa ugali niya (I almost couldn’t relate to his attitude),” added he. “Personally, what I did was (give) my very best really. Ang weird kasi yung psychological complications ni Paco, eh. So, I had to study up on some psychology to get (and understand) why a person like Paco Palacios will react in such a way.”

Is it really true that Paco and Basil have a fleeting, short-lived run in the show?

Following Benjamin’s line of thought, one could glean that the word “end” may be defined differently in “Widows’ War” since storytelling devices such as flashbacks may be employed to make the characters still present physically or mentally.

With Paco and Basil’s limited time, actors Rafael and Benjamin had to do justice to the former’s characterization and possibly leave viewers with a lasting and lingering impression of their roles. So far, they have delivered nuanced and solid portrayals of the wealthy cousins.

“I believe that I portrayed (him) in a way that I feel you won’t forget him,” shared Rafael. “I think you have to watch it (and) judge for yourself.”

For his part, Benjamin said, “To make (the character) more memorable, just prepare. I think the writers did a really great job. I had so much fun playing (the role) on set.”

“Naka-alalay naman sila (everybody was behind you). As long as you’re present and as long as you’re prepared with your lines and you come in with what you’re equipped with, gumaganda siya sa set,” said he.

Benjamin also gave one a glimpse into the collaboration between creatives by sharing that actors have been given the chance to interpret their characters from the script and “to make it their own,” from dialogues to nuances.

“Then again, what’s war without death?” said he about the series, implying that the passing of the male characters seems not to be the only impending ones.

“Direk Zig (Dulay) has a very beautiful way of telling a story,” said Rafael. “And without revealing too much, yung scenes kung saan mawawala ang mga characters (the scenes in which the characters will disappear), they would be so significant na maaalala ninyo talaga (that you will really remember them).”

Recalling them in detail, as one may put it, may play a pivotal role in figuring out the “truth,” or the character who controls the narrative and is cognizant of “truth.”

“For what it’s worth, (even though) we’re only there (to play the characters) for a few weeks, (I think) our characters are really well-written, buo siya… it feels like I know my character for a 20-week script na,” shared Benjamin.

That’s why Benjamin and Rafael are grateful for how the writers have crafted their “Widows’ War” characters and for the mystery drama project GMA has assigned them.

(Watch “Widows’ War” from Mondays to Fridays at 8:50 p.m. on GMA Prime).