The Melody Continues

GMA-7 welcomed another classic movie into its roster of Sine Novelas with Kaputol ng Isang Awit -- and last February 26, the afternoon drama was officially launched with the introduction of the cast and the characters they will play. Text and Photos by Jason John S. Lim. “First of all, it gives me a sense of pride to see these young talents grow and mature with the roles we’re giving them,” Wilma Galvante, GMA-7 Senior Vice President for Entertainment, began in her speech for the press. “This is so far, their greatest challenge.” Kaputol ng Isang Awit would be the seventh movie to be remade into a television series under the Sine Novela banner. And like the previous installments, the franchise hoped to launch new stars into the spotlight: much like it did for Yasmien Kurdi and JC De Vera -- who will soon be gracing the small screens for the primetime crowd, after proving their range in the afternoon drama slots. And with the two in primetime, GMA-7 hoped to replicate the two’s rise to stardom with new tandems that people would relate to. And for Kaputol ng Isang Awit, they gave the chance to Glaiza de Castro, Lovi Poe, Marky Cielo and Jolo Revilla. Glaiza felt pressured when she first found out that she would be reprising the role made famous by the megastar Sharon Cuneta. “Pero I try not to think about it, dahil kapag iniisip ko talaga ‘yung pressure, mas hindi ako nagfa-function.” The young actress believes that playing Sara for Kaputol ng Isang Awit would be her biggest break in her career so far. But she’s no longer a stranger to drama, after her roles in Asian Treasures, Boys Nxt Door, and the independent film, Still Life. Yet, Glaiza reiterated that this new project would be very challenging. “This is very dramatic kasi,” she said, explaining that she has yet to do something as heavy-drama as this new project. And she understands how heavy the responsibility that was being given her. “Tapos meron pang mga kanta, sayaw at meron pang stunts!” As for Lovi, the singer-actress admitted to being very nervous with her role. “First of all, my role here is very ambitious,” Lovi revealed that her character would do anything to be on top -- and she’s a big brat about it too! “And that’s what makes it very challenging for me, because sobrang opposite ng ugali namin ni Joana.” Playing Joana, Lovi said, would help her grow to become a versatile actress. “I don’t want to stick to one type of role, I want to learn different things when it comes to acting. And I’m very happy and very thankful na pinagkatiwalaan sa akin ang role ni Joana.” Director Mike Tuviera had nothing but good words for his young cast. The director, who would be returning to his roots with Kaputol ng Isang Awit, shared with the press how much of a pleasure it was, working with his cast. “This is the first time I’m working with Glaiza, and she is nothing but a pleasure to work with.” Direk Mike revealed how meticulous Glaiza was with her acting, and how happy he was about her attack for her character. “For me, being an actor’s director, I work well with actors like that.” Lovi, Direk Mike divulged, was very nervous about taking on the role of Joana. “Kasi first time niya in a kontrabida role, and she’s a natural at the role! She is great!” For the two young men who would be playing off Glaiza and Lovi, Direk Mike had nothing bad to say. Marky, the director also revealed, would sometimes stay even after his scenes are done to watch his co-stars in action. “[And] he’s very, very professional.” Jolo, on the other hand, was a very relaxed person on the set. “[Though] nung una, akala ko masungit na bata -- parang mukhang laging galit.” Marky and Jolo were also very excited and scared of how the audiences would accept them in this new genre. Especially Marky who had begun to make a mark as an action star with Asian Treasures and Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. The young actor said that people should expect to see a different Marky, “hindi na ‘yung pa-tweetums. So mas malalim na acting na po talaga.” Which Jolo finished with a promise, “susubukan naming apat na mas lalo namin kayong pakiligin; paiiyakin namin kayo, pasisiyahin namin kayo at gagalitin namin kayo.” Echoing this sentiment, Wilma Galvante closed the press conference with some choice words to thank the press, while promising to deliver only the best: “Kaputol lang [ito] ng mahaba niyo pang gagawin. So sa inyong lahat, salamat. Kahit sa Sine Novela, sa afternoon, what we give our viewers are really quality productions: very good stories, stories that we developed, we gave more substance, more context, more casting -- even if it was just drawn from a movie.” Be sure not to miss the premiere of Kaputol ng Isang Awit on March 3, replacing My Only Love after Maging Akin Ka Lamang. In the meantime, talk about the show at the iGMA Forums! If you're not yet registered, take the time to register now! Who knows? You might even get to chat with your favorite Kapuso Star as Summer approaches! You can also feel the Fun with Fanatxt by texting GLAIZA, LOVI or MARKY to 4627! (Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, while it costs PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers.)