CEBU, Philippines — A merrier and laughter-filled Christmas awaited viewers here and abroad as the anticipated GMA comedy sitcom ‘Happy ToGetHer’ debuted on December 26 before ‘Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’ on GMA.
Multi-awarded actor, bankable leading man, and top-caliber endorser John Lloyd Cruz makes his grand TV comeback as he topbills this much-awaited program. Aside from playing the lead role of Julian, a handsome mechanic and single dad who aspires to give his son a better future and find his one true love, he is also a creative consultant for ‘Happy ToGetHer.’
As he begins a new season in his life, the actor admitted that this new opportunity challenged him.
“Siguro mas malaking challenge na nasa bagong bakuran tayo. It’s challenging kasi nangangapa kaming grupo. Kaya napakaswerte namin dahil iyong assistance, paggabay, at pagtulong ng GMA sa amin ay talagang hindi matatawaran.”
He added, “Yung opportunity na galing sa GMA executives, araw-araw namin ipinagpapasalamat. Sa bawat araw na nasa loob kami ng bubble, mayroon kaming opportunity na makapagtrabaho and we can all move forward from the current situation of our nation. Kaya punong-puno kami ng pasasalamat. In return, and gusto lang naman namin ay maibalik sa audience ‘yung favor na ibinibigay sa atin dito sa Kapuso Network.”
GMA Network First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari Abacan is confident that audiences will love the show.
“Nung nakuha ko na ‘yung mga na taped nilang episodes, talagang I am very, very confident na Kapuso viewers will actually appreciate it. Matutuwa sila doon sa mga episodes na ginawa nila John Lloyd.”
Director Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, who helms the sitcom, has nothing but good words to say about John Lloyd.
“Involved na involved talaga si Lloydie hindi lang sa creatives. Nung nawalan na ng trabaho ang marami sa amin, nilapitan ko siya, sabi ko, ‘Lloydie, puwede ba tayong gumawa [ng show] para matulungan mo kami at ‘yung mga kasamahan natin?’ Tapos sabi niya, ‘ Sige, Direk. Kung makakatulong ako, babalik ako.’ ‘Yan ang unang-una naming ipagpapasalamat kay Lloydie.”
According to Direk Bobot, preparations for the show took longer than expected because it must be special.
“Tumagal ‘yung paghahanda namin dahil sa konsepto nung show. Gusto namin siyempre maiba naman ‘yung konsepto niya kaysa doon sa dating ginawa namin. Nandoon pa din ‘yung flavor na gusto namin, pero iba naman siya. Iba yung comedy namin. Makikita niyo na may touch ng John Lloyd.”
‘Happy ToGetHer’ is made even more comical with the cast led by Miles Ocampo as Liz, Jayson Gainza as Mike, Ashley Rivera as Pam, Jenzel Angeles as Rocky, Eric Nicolas as Anton, Janus del Prado as TG, Kleggy Abaya as Kanor, Vito Quizon as Joey, Leo Bruno as Boss Oca, Wally Waley as Andy, and Ms. Carmi Martin as Nanay Pining.