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With the premiere of "LaLola" and "Gagambino," you might think GMA is already done for the year -- but think again.
With the premiere of “LaLola” and “Gagambino,” you might think GMA is already done for the year -- but think again. Heart Evangelista and Mark Anthony Fernandez have an early Christmas treat for their fans this November. It’s going to be a full moon ahead. Text and Photos by Jason John S. Lim. Additional Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Let’s get right to the point -- what is Luna Mystika about? Luna is an original character created by RJ Nuevas, headwriter of hits like Bakekang, Impostora and La Vendetta. "Isa siyang fantasy [and] love story about folklores and the Philippine mythology, pero hindi natin siya gagawing dark. Isa siyang makulay [na show]," says Rams David, Program Unit Manager of the series. The show will pair, for the first time, two of GMA’s exclusive stars -- Heart Evangelista and Mark Anthony Fernandez, and boasts of 24 artists who have been part of well-loved shows of GMA. "Happy ako sa aking Magic 24," Mr. David notes. He continues that he's happy and thankful that the cast accepted the project. Although he has worked with most members the cast before, he hopes that the camaraderie would reach those who they will be working with for the first time. "I think this is the best time na magkakila-kilala tayong lahat," he adds. Luna Mystika will replace Codename: Asero when it ends this November, and Mr. David reminds his staff and his cast that they will have a lot of child viewers, "So [dapat] isang magandang Luna Mystika ang gagawin natin!" Other than RJ Nuevas, GMA’s latest original offering will also be penned by some of the more successful headwriters of fantasy (Suzette Doctolero, Encantadia, Lupin), romance (Dode Cruz, MariMar, Dyesebel) and drama (Kit Villanueva-Langit, Una Kang Naging Akin). And it will be helmed by two of GMA’s brightest directors: Gil Tejada, Jr. and Mike Tuviera. The latter says, "I was so glad to be told about this show. When Ma'am Lilybeth [Rasonable, Assistant Vice President for Drama] told me, alam niyang bagay for me." Direk Mike Tuviera is just as thankful for being tapped for the project. "I’m very happy and proud to be part of the show, because this show is sort of like a homecoming for me." It should be noted that he began his directing career with GMA’s telefantasyas in primetime. “This is the very first staff, first group, that I started my career with; this was the timeslot that I started with; and there [are] some people who I’ve worked with before. Tito Eddie [Gutierrez] was my very first leading actor in my first show." As the first unit director of the show, Direk Mike also says that Luna Mystika will have strong fantasy elements, but he wants the cast to understand that the series is an actors' show, and his partner and him are actors' directors. "Ang advice ko, for the younger actors, look around you -- these are the best actors in the industry. Learn." Aside from Mr. Eddie Gutierrez, Luna Mystika includes in its cast Chanda Romero, Ariel Rivera, Rita Avila, Romnick Sarmenta, Gardo Versoza, Beth Tamayo, and returning Kapuso Sheryl Cruz. The rest of the cast members are Mark Herras, Luis Alandy, Bearwin Meily, John Lapus, Hero Angeles, Iwa Moto, Pauleen Luna, Michelle Madrigal, Kris Bernal, Aljur Abrenica, Paulo Avelino, Marky Lopez, Jade Lopez, Musang and a Survivor Philippines castaway who will soon be revealed. "Not all the time you'll get to work with Ms. Rita Avila, Tito Eddie, so use that," Direk Mike continues. And he tells the veterans, "This is an opportunity. Paglaruan natin ito; let's try to stretch your characters. "My central belief is, kayong mga artista ang susundan ng tao, 'yung storya ang susundan ng tao. All the effects -- and we have the best design people -- they're all here to support you guys: the actors and the story." Executive Produce Helen Sese also shares her excitement, "Itong Luna Mystika is a reunion of all my shows. I'm sure magiging masayang-masaya ang set na 'to." And with that, Ms. Rasonable addresses the cast, " Gusto ko lang magpasalamat na tinanggap ninyo ang project na ito. Napakalaki ng cast, napakalaki ng production na gagawin, so hiningi namin 'yung inyong cooperation. "As Helen said, we'll take very good care of you. And we'll make sure, with your cooperation, that it will be a happy set. Although it will be hard work, hard work pero masaya…Good luck sa ating lahat, I hope this will be another hit of GMA, a show that will make all of us proud." Luna Mystika will begin bewitching television viewers starting November. Keep logging on iGMA.tv for more updates about GMA's newest primetime offering.