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Directors Mark Reyes and Topel Lee deserve credit for the success that Kamandag is already showing so early in the ratings game.
Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag is doing great in the ratings game. Opening with a 40 plus percentage, Richard Gutierrez’ new primetime show is really something to look forward to every night. Aside from its phenomenal cast, two reasons for the show’s success are its directors, Mark Reyes and Topel Lee. Text by Loretta G. Ramirez. Photos by Mitch m. Mauricio Adapting a very famous story from the 1980’s is not an easy feat, especially if the expectations for this show are sky high and the actors who were tapped to portray the interesting characters of the story are the most promising stars of GMA. Thus, it is only fitting that two of the most celebrated directors of our time are at the helm of Carlo J. Kamandag’s production. Mark Reyes A veteran when it comes to directing telefantasya, Mark Reyes is the obvious choice to head the production of GMA’s newest primetime telebabad show. “In the tradition of Encantadia, Etheria, Mulawin and Atlantika, here comes the next big epic of GMA na talagang pinaghandaan,” says Mark rather proudly. He goes on to say that he is very excited about making this show come to life for the viewers of the Kapuso network. He admits that his biggest challenge is to think of a way to differentiate this with the other telefantasyas that he worked on in the past. “I think the seed of the idea of the animal icons came from Ms. Annette Gozon-Abrogar (President of GMA Films) so the minute that we have that unique selling proposition, the creating juices flowed, I new exactly how to make this not look like Encatandia, I knew how to attack it,” shares Direk Mark. Indeed Mark Reyes did his homework and has everything going smoothly with Kamandag doing well in the ratings game. Topel Lee After the success of horror movie Ouija in the box office, the young director from the University of the Philippines is now a part of the huge production of GMA’s newest telefantasya. “I am the second unit director of Kamandag, so pag madugo ‘yung mga scenarios na kailangang i-shoot, hati na kami [ni Direk Mark] sa mga sequences,” describes Topel Lee on his role with the show. He admits that he has not read the original story of Carlo J. Caparas but is aware of how famous this was in the early 80’s. “I read about it na yun nga, its very Filipino, parang after Zuma eto na yung [next big thing] na sumunod,” shares the young director. He adds that he feels overwhelmed with this project and is still trying to get used to the rigors of directing a daily television show. "This is my fist soap. Ibang iba ito sa movie eh, sa movie perfection talaga. Dito ang kalaban mo ay ‘yung time. You have to do a lot of sequences within a day, sometimes 30 plus sequences in a day. Ang natatapos ko yata 17 to 20 lang” confesses Topel Lee with a sheepish smile. This is probably why the formula of Mark Reyes and Topel Lee’s collaboration is successful. With a veteran setting the peg for production and a fresh and creative mind giving his input to make this show something to look forward to every night, Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag is definitely the show to watch! Catch it weeknights right after Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan only on GMA. Visit these links to know more about the show’s plot and characters: Kamandag Unleashed Welcome to the World of Kamandag Meet Richard’s Newest Ladies Suddenly Jenny The Assassin Share your views on Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag! Join the forums and post your comments on the show and cast.