Putting the notes together

Kaputol ng Isang Awit is a first for this critically acclaimed director. “The biggest first for me with this show is [that] it’s so musically centered,” shares Direk Mike. The show revolves around the music, which means that each song plays an important part in telling the story of the characters. “It becomes plot points talaga--the song, where you last heard it, sinong sumulat; lahat yun kasama sa storya talaga, and I’ve never done anything like that.” This genre may be something fresh for Direk Mike, but he admits that so far, he hasn’t encountered any rough roads that might make him regret accepting the project. In fact, GMA management has been very encouraging, and Direk Mike seems to be reaping the benefits. “GMA has been very supportive [in terms of] what song [I] would want to do [the following] week. It’s been totally fun, I feel like a kid in a candy store,” shares Direk Mike. Direk Mike also plans to concentrate specifically on the show's characters, and this in turn motivates the stars to deliver as expected. Kaputol ng Isang Awit stars two of the country's most promising actresses: Lovi Poe and Glaiza De Castro. But there's a lot of pressure for the actors who will portray the characters of this remake. “Sa akin, I think of it as something positive kasi grabe yung energy that they put on the role and on the show. They come to the set very, very disciplined, they love their work, and they appreciate yung break na ibinigay sa kanila,” shares Direk Mike. This commitment was put to the test when his two lead actresses encountered some problems on how to hone their acting style. “Si Lovi, this is her first kontrabida role and she was very nervous about it. The challenge for something like that is, how do you link [the] actor and role, if the role is different from who you are?” Direk Mike answers this question by breaking down the character. “We were talking every time, especially during the pilot week. We focused on breaking down her role [and making that] connection between Lovi and [her character] Joanna.” Glaiza De Castro's challenge, on the other hand, is different. “Kasi it’s the first time she’s been given this kind of responsibility," says direk Mike. "The story revolves around her and her relationship with Lovi. Parang with her, [nervous] siya for totally different reasons.” He continues, “I was like telling her, first and foremost expect already [that] you’ll be asked 500 times sino nanliligaw sa’yo! But always at the end of the day, you get back to your work--that’s what’s important. All the other tsismis and issues will go away. That’s not your work, this is your work; let it speak for itself and everything is just secondary.” It makes us wonder, does Direk Mike feel the pressure too? “I understand why all the actors feel [the] pressure; [it’s] because they get compared to the original. I’ve always felt like we’re not copying; para sa akin we take that as inspiration and then we grow with it.” With a director of Mike Tuviera's caliber, we can be assured that this new show will slowly sing its way to the hearts of the masses. Be sure to watch Kaputol ng Isang Awit weekdays on dramarama sa hapon.