Indio: Movie fantaserye made for TV

There’s no doubt that Senator Bong Revilla is very proud of Indio, his very first primetime drama project for GMA 7 which premieres on Monday, January 14 with a stellar cast that should be good enough for a movie.

Well, from the looks of it, Indio is a movie but done for TV. Director Dondon Santos utilizes five cameras and does a variety of shots during the taping. And Sen. Bong is dead serious in making a good impression in doing his first telefantasya that he even had a workshop with famed director Laurice Guillen to prepare himself for the role. And on the set is good friend Phillip Salvador who acts as Bong’s acting coach.

“It’s a different Bong Revilla that you will see in Indio,” said the good-looking actor-turned-senator at the press launch of Indio held at SM Megamall Cinema 5 last Wednesday. It was the first time for Bong to see the pilot episode of Indio and he was amazed with what he saw.

“Kinilabutan ako sa ganda,” said Bong when asked to comment after watching the sneak peak of Indio, said to be the most expensive and most explosive TV project of the Kapuso network. “We wanted to give the best to the audience kaya naman we are working so hard to give them the best show ever.”

Although he declined to give a specific amount, Sen. Bong says the budget of Indio added up would allow a film producer to make five movies. The quality of the finished product shows it. It is sleek, classy, and since it is a period film, care has been taken to ensure that the costumes, location  and the overall look of Indio is excellent.

“I really wanted to do a big project as my first primetime offering. When GMA 7 presented to me the concept, I readily said yes. Then we all buckled down to work. On my part, aside from taking an acting workshop, I also took the gym religiously. And it paid off,” said Sen. Bong.

In fairness, Sen. Bong is looking very dashingly handsome in his trim physique, minus the excess fat on the waist. And he is mighty proud to say that he looks more yummy.  Of course, he was joking but Sen. Bong, with his fine physique, fits the role of Simeon perfectly.

Indio also stars Jennylyn Mercado, Rhian Ramos, Solenn Heusaff and the embattled Sarah Lahbati who plays the mom of the infant Malaya (the son of a common tao and a diwata) who will grow up to be the nemesis of the evil Spaniards.

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For an actor to continue getting meatier roles whether parts are big or small is undoubtedly a fine testament to an actor’s talent. This is what happened to Richard Quan last year.

Three of his most prominent roles include becoming Lapu-Lapu, the central figure in a family drama about single fatherhood, and principal actor in a much-talked about short love story set during the war – three of his most prominent roles

“When I did Lapu-Lapu, it was the closest thing to being part of an epic,” Quan shares. “It was such an overwhelming experience because emotionally, you must feel that you are the hero. It was such a big production so you really want to give the best sa mga ginagawa mo,” the actor adds.

Continuing, “Masarap maging hero because you are given a certain responsibility to portray him well, to make him not only flesh and blood, but to give him the soul that he deserves. When I became Lapu-Lapu, I felt that nabubuhay lalo yung pagmamahal ko sa bansa natin, mas umigting yung yabang ko bilang Filipino, and the learning that you gained from the experience of being a hero, is very enriching.” 

His work for the Net25 family drama “Five Girls and a Dad” broadened his appreciation of the lead actor’s responsibilities.

“Doing Enzo Legaspi was an eye opener for me,” Richard states. “My hats off to all the actors and actresses who do title roles! The load they carry is not trouble free. The expectations are high and there are so many things that you have to consider, most especially the attention, lahat nasa iyo.” Quan quips with a wry smile.

He carries on, “Our main objective was to impart values through the show and I think we were able to achieve that. We received a lot of positive feedback. It’s a drama comedy with real life issues filled with complex and colorful characters. My role, Enzo was the most complex of them all because he presents a different side of him to each daughter. There were days that he must be a friend, a brother, and then a father, and he also shared emotionally dynamic relationships with the other pivotal characters in the drama. It was tough at times, daunting even, but I am thankful that I was able to play him, and I think, I was able to portray him well.”

The short film with Angel Aquino for an insurance company was another major achievement for Quan.

“Angel was the big factor why the short film throbbed with so much love and on-screen magic. You know, when you work with a good actor, it seems that you are doing a well-choreographed dance. Hindi siya mahirap. Hindi siya pilit,” Richard enthuses. 

He further shares, “Honestly, the chemistry that we shared did not surprise because I think we were in sync, Yung bigayan, yung commitment, it was an honest-to-goodness-give-and-take occurrence which the camera captured. And it helped a lot that she’s very beautiful. Napakaganda ng ugali niya, ang gaan-gaan ka-trabaho, a very giving actress.”

Now that this New Year has officially rolled, Quan hopes, “Looking forward to do all sorts of every day men characters. It is still very fulfilling. Whether the project is for mainstream TV or cinema or even for independent films, it does not matter. What matters to me is that I do things with a lot of sincerity, and with a lot of passion. Acting is one of my life’s greatest passions and I am fully committed to it. God willing, I pray that I do the most number of roles which I find interesting, or even intriguing.”

The actor ends, “2013 is going to be a great year, not only for me but for all of us.  I hope that people continue to watch the soaps that I am in and that they get excited with my forthcoming film projects. Thank you for all your love. Stay happy!”

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Kick off the New Year with the return of Pretty Little Liars Season 3 on ETC. With the “A-team” taking control of the game, can the Pretty Little Liars put the clues together to finally reveal “A’s” cruel plans? Premiering this January 12, Saturday at 8PM, Match aired with the US, the mid-season premiere looks to unravel more deception and drama as we get closer to discovering who’s behind all the lies and trickery.

In all new episodes, we see “A-team” member Mona ready to head back to the halls of Rosewood High having been given a clean bill of health by Radley Sanitarium — much to the Liars’ dismay. With their former tormentor now back in their life, Aria, Emily, Hanna and Spencer each have their own opinion on the “new” Mona.

Having made their lives a living hell little under a year ago, is she really cured? And what other secrets could she have up her sleeves? It’s up to Mona to prove to the Liars if she has changed her ways or not.

Pretty Little Liars follows friends Aria, Spencer, Hanna and Emily as they search for answers to the mysterious disappearance and death of their best friend Alison. As the girls investigate in to what really happened to her and the secrets she left behind, they start receiving cryptic threats from a mysterious tormentor named “A” who knows all their personal secrets.

Based on the popular book series by Sara Shepard, Pretty Little Liars stars Shay Mitchell, Lucy Hale,Troian Bellisario, Ashley Benson, Tyler Blackburn, Holly Marie Combs, Ian Harding, Chad Lowe, Janel Parrish, and Sasha Pieterse.

Pretty Little Liars Season 3 premieres with all new episodes this January 12, Saturday at 8PM, Match aired with the U.S. on ETC.