Primetime Quality in the Afternoon

For more than a year now, GMA-7 has been churning out afternoon programs that equal primetime shows in quality. And 'Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan' continues with this tradition—bringing tried-and-tested primetime caliber to the afternoon block. Text by Jason John S. Lim; with interviews from the 'Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan' press conference. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Marvin Agustin, Camille Prats and Diana Zubiri are headling their very first Sine Novela with the remake of Danny Zialcita's Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan; the story of three consenting adults who let their desires get the better of their relationships with each other. From the get go, the three stars admit without hesitation that they can not match the original, whatever they do. But it's not because their version is inferior, but rather because their version will be lengthened and updated. Camille begins, saying that GMA-7 would've never entrusted them with their roles, if they wouldn't have been able to justify them. "Ginagawa po namin lahat ng makakaya namin na mapaganda 'yung istorya na ginagawa namin ngayon. She adds that there will be changes to the story, subplots added—"so kung ano ''yung nararapat na sa tingin namin babagay doon sa eksena na 'yun, binubuhos namin sa makakaya namin." Besides, Marvin adds, "siguro hindi naman papasa [kay Direk Gil Tejada], at hindi kami titigilan ng kaka-take kung hindi namin nape-perfect ang eksena. Kaya we're very confident na magugustuhan niyo po ang performance namin; we are very confident kasi na-approve ng director namin." Diana finishes with a laugh, "Hindi po namin mapapantayan 'yung ginawa nila—pero hihigitan po namin." Sunshine Dizon was set to play the leading role of Lily, the character that is now being played by Camille. And the young actress is quick to defend that she doesn't see herself as a replacement or as a second choice. Rather, she says, "hindi naman po isyu na galing po kay Sunshine Dizon, tapos napunta sa akin. Pinagkatiwala pa rin [ng GMA-7] ang role sa akin, and for me that's more than enough." Primetime Caliber Senior Vice President of Entertainment, Wilma Galvante defines Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan as "isa sa mga matutunog na titles sa lahat ng kinuha naming Viva titles." Miss Galvante also notes that the time when afternoon soaps are considered inferior to primetime programming is a thing of the past. "For us, we already give equal weight for how we produce the afternoon soaps and the primetime soaps," the SVP explains. "Kaya makikita niyo kahit sa mga artista, primetime ang ginagawa niya, bibigyan namin ng project for Sine Novela in the afternoon. "It is not because we are devaluing the talent, it is because we are recognizing the audience in the afternoon." Cheryl Ching-Sy, Program Unit Manager, agrees with this standpoint. "We started it in Now and Forever na primetime caliber actors ang ilalagay natin sa afternoon slot." And even the teams that are handling the Sine Novela shows are also of primetime quality. "They cross from non-prime to primetime—ganoon na ang direction. We're giving value to our audience in the afternoon also. "Ninth offering na namin ang Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, so applied learnings na ito ng past seven—kasi the other one (Magdusa Ka) is currently running." Miss Ching-Sy says that by this time, the team already knows what the audience wants. "[At] 'yun 'yung maipapangako namin sa kanila." Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan begins today! Another heart-wrenching drama is set to make a place of its own in viewers' hearts. Feel the simply joys and the devastating heartaches of Lily, Louie and Elsa weekday afternoons after Pablo Gomez's Magdusa Ka, part of GMA-7's Dramarama Sa Hapon. Talk about the show at the iGMA Forums! If you're not yet registered, register now! Who knows? You might even get to chat with your favorite Kapuso Artist through the iGMA Live Chat! Learn more about the show from its stars! Just key in MARVIN or CAMILLE on your mobile phone, and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is available in only the Philippines.)