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After a short hiatus, Kapuso actor Mark Anthony Fernandez makes a television comeback in the new GMA Afternoon Prime drama, Bukod Kang Pinagpala. In the family drama, Mark Anthony plays the role of Leandro Alcuar, a husband and father who will be the object of three women’s affections.


After a short hiatus, Kapuso actor Mark Anthony Fernandez makes a television comeback in the new GMA Afternoon Prime drama, Bukod Kang Pinagpala. In the family drama, Mark Anthony plays the role of Leandro Alcuar, a husband and father who will be the object of three women’s affections.
 
GMANetwork.com caught up with the Kapuso leading man during the pictorial for the newest Afternoon Prime program. When asked to describe his role, he shares, “Ako dito si Leandro. Isa siyang ama na mayroong pamilya, at hindi sila magka anak, hanggang sa makabuntis siya ng isang babae. Doon iikot ang istorya.”
 
In the said Afternoon Prime series, Mark Anthony’s character Leandro, is married to Bessie, played by Camille Prats. The couple desperately wants to have a child, but it is Janet (played by Jackie Rice) who will be able to give Leandro a child. Janet will give this child away and it is Ofelia (played by Jennica Garcia), Bessie’s cousin, who will raise the child as her own. The plot thickens when Bessie, Ofelia and Janet fight over the child, and become rivals in Leandro’s heart as well.
 
A lot of preparation was involved in Mark Anthony’s part in order to be able to pull off his new role. He says, “Tumaba kasi ako, so nag-ensayo ako, at saka siyempre, iyong script, pinag-aaralan ko talaga ng maigi.”
 
Mark Anthony’s role is also emotionally charged, and he considers it very challenging. He reveals, “Mayroong mga mabibigat na dilemma si Leandro. May point na kailangan niyang mamili between his obligation as a husband and a father. Abangan na lang nila.”

 
In a separate interview at the press conference of Bukod Kang Pinagpala, Mark Anthony Fernandez’ co-stars expressed their excitement in being able to work with the versatile actor.
 
Camille Prats, who will be working with Mark Anthony Fernandez again after the top-rating prime time program Munting Heredera said, “All in all, the experience working with Mark was really good, that’s why when I found out that I will be working again with him in this project, hindi po ako nagdalawang-isip at nakampante din ako knowing that I’ll be working with someone I’ve worked with before.”
 
Jennica Garcia added, “Just like Cams, second time ko na rin maka-work si Kuya Mark. Yung pinaka una is [Ako si] Kim Sam Soon with Ate Reg (Regine Velasquez-Alcasid). Kuya ko siya doon. So, this time naman kasi na mag-start iyong story, wala na iyong asawa ko, pumanaw na, at magkakaroon kasi ako ng gusto kay Kuya Mark. Medyo awkward lang pero thankful pa rin kasi si Kuya Mark, tinutulungan niya ako para medyo gumaan-gaan naman iyong eksena.”
 
Jackie Rice, who will be working with Mark Anthony Fernandez for the first time, had nothing but good things to say.  “Actually, masaya ako kasi alam natin na ang mga Fernandez, sobrang legend na iyan sa industriya. First time ko makatrabaho si Mark. Happy ako na part ako ng show at saka I’m sure kakaiba. Si Mark kasi, Gwapings days palang, kilala na iyan. Happy ako.”
 
Catch Bukod Kang Pinagpala, weekdays in the GMA Afternoon Prime block. -- Text by Samantha Portillo, GMANetwork.com