A Family Like No Other

Theirs is a family like no other. I am not talking about the show’s plot of three sisters with extraordinary powers but the family behind the cameras – the cast and crew of Daddy Di Do Du. Text by Loretta Ramirez. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Visiting the set of Daddy Di Do Du for the first time is truly an experience worth writing about. Aside from the presence of one of the most esteemed actors in the industry, we could not help but notice how light and easy the atmosphere is on the set. It’s like everybody is there to hang and share a laugh or two. “Masaya talaga dito, hindi lang kami parang pamilya, ibang-iba kami. Kung mapapansin nyo mabilis yung taping namin, kabisado na naming yung galaw ng bawat isa. Yung director (Bert De Leon) namin, kabisado na rin niya yung mga galaw nung characters, kaya di na kami nagkakapaan,” says Jose Manalo, who plays Val in the show. As if proving Jose’s claim, we witnessed how each sequence flies by without any hitches. It is like a three step process—rehearse the lines, confirm the blocking and then the cameras roll! That’s not all, we noticed that the staff is free to talk to the stars, tease them, and even play practical jokes on them. That night, it was Maxene's (Donna) turn to be the butt of the jokes. The staff keeps telling Maxne’s sister (Clara) that it was her fault that Clara’s doll is missing. “Ang sama nyo!” Maxene said while smiling, when the staff made her sister cry. Eventually they were able to make Clara smile again but Maxine has to pretend that she has to go up to the office and get her sister’s doll back. “Ganun dito, kahit utility pantay pantay. Pwede nilang biruin yung boss namin at yung mga boss, binibiro din yung utility. May limitations din naman sila pero welcome naman ang lahat. Masaya dito walang problema,” Jose emphasizes. CIndy Kurleto, who plays Greta, agrees to this statement one hundred percent. “I received such good treatment here, kahit na when I entered here, hindi pa ako sikat. I don’t have this big name but still they treat me very respectfully.” Danica Sotto , who plays Dinna, the oldest daughter of Hercules ‘kul’ Vallejo, highlights her experience in the set saying their taping schedule, is their bonding day. “Kuwentuhan, kainan, this is the worst day for dieting, kasi laging may nagdadala ng chichiria at chocolates!” Even Isabella De Leon (Duday), who literally grew up in the show, appreciates the kind of working atmosphere, they have on the set. She invites everybody to watch the show and see what kind of relationship they have in the show. “Nood po kayo ng Daddy Di Do Du, pag nanood kayo, para na kayong part ng pamilya namin.” So there you go, if you really want to watch a good family show with lots of laughs and values to learn from, tune in to Daddy Di Do Du every Sunday right after All Star K only on GMA 7.