Painting a Different Classic

GMA-7's phenomenal afternoon series, 'Sine Novela', continues to conquer hearts of Filipinos with the premiere of the heartbreaking film-turned-TV-series, 'Una Kang Naging Akin'. Text by Jason John S. Lim, with additional text from the press release. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. This September, Sine Novela presents another cinematic masterpiece that will make television viewers cry their hearts out. This romantic and heartbreaking tale of the 10th Sine Novela offering will definitely join the roster of GMA-7's top-rating and highly successful daytime TV programs. Una Kang Naging Akin is a 1991 blockbuster film under the direction of Laurice Guillen starring Sharon Cuneta, Gabby Concepcion and Dawn Zulueta; a film that brings to light the story of two women who fall in love with the same man in two exceptional occasions. GMA-7's Una Kang Naging Akin features a star-studded cast including seasoned actress Angelika dela Cruz together with Wendell Ramos, Alfred Vargas, LJ Reyes and today's youngest dramatic actress, Maxene Magalona. Directed by the country's first-rate director Joel Lamangan, Sine Novela presents Una Kang Naging Akin tells about the entangled love story of Vanessa (Angelika dela Cruz), Rick/Darwin (Wendell Ramos) and Jessa (Maxene Magalona). "Ako nai-inspire ng good ideas, good stories," Direk Joel says, explaining that he found this in the tenth installment of the popular afternoon series. He continues that he also enjoys the challenge of honing Maxene into a fine young actress. Not to mention that Una Kang Naging Akin would reunite him with Angelika dela Cruz and Wendell Ramos - both of whom, he says, are a pleasure to work with. In this Sine Novela, Maxene stars in her very first mature role-and she is happy that she gets to do it with Wendell Ramos, who she describes as a good friend of her father's. "Wendell was very helpful," the young actress says that even during their pictorial for the show, Wendell was already tutoring her and giving her pointers for their roles. "May alam na talaga; alam niya talaga kung ano 'yung ginagawa niya, kaya I know that I'm in good hands. "So I trust him and I know na I will learn a lot from him. Pine-prepare niya talaga ako." Meanwhile, Angelika stars as another main antagonist-but this time, she's more complicated than the usual female kontrabida. "Bawat role is a challenge, kasi siyempre ang bawat role naman na ginagampanan namin, iba-iba." Angelika describes their characters in this series as more mature than the usual ones they play. The series also adds new characters to make the story more colorful and complicated. Beginning with the character of Ronnie (Alfred Vargas), a marine biologist who is in love with Jessa; and Liway (LJ Reyes), Jessa's half-sister who is loves Ronnie the way he loves her sister-and who despises Jessa for a misunderstanding. "Masasabi ko talaga na definitely meron talaga akong ibang ginagampanan dito," LJ shares, revealing that for the first time, she will be playing an antagonist. "Medyo ako 'yung manga-away kay Maxene." Wrapping up the rest of the cast are Gina Alajar as Luisa, Vanessa's stepmother; Racquel Villavicencio as Dona Margarita Soriano, Nick's arrogant mom; Mel Martinez as Eli Solis, an art director who also manages Jessa's career; Jim Pebanco and Gilette Sandico as Tiyo Anding and Tiya Agnes, relatives of Jessa. Una Kang Naging Akin premieres today after Daisy Siete. Talk about the show at the iGMA Forums!. If you're not yet registered, register now! Find out more about the show from the cast! Feel the fun through Fanatxt by texting ANGELIKA, MAXENE, LJ or ALFRED to 4627! Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusive for the Philippines.)