Alden Richards shares how 'Start-Up Philippines' has integrated Filipino culture to be more relatable
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How can Filipino audiences relate to 'Start-Up Philippines?' The show's lead star Alden Richards shares his two cents, HERE:
Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards shared some details how Start-Up Ph will integrate Filipino culture in the story to make it relatable to local audiences.
In the series, Alden portrays Tristan "Good Boy" Hernandez, the character of Han Ji-pyeong in the original Korean version.
"The thing about adaptations kasi is may blueprint ka na, e. When you say adaptation, it means you're getting inspiration from an original material," he explained to GMANetwork.com.
"Ito kasi, mas ginawang Pinoy 'yung Start-Up. I mean, kung dito siya gagawin sa Pilipinas, kung ang 'Start Up' ay nagsimula sa Pilipinas, ganito ang itsura niya, ganito 'yung packaging niya."
But Alden cleared that the well-loved storyline of the original Korean version will be intact.
"Hindi naman nalalayo sa original K-drama series but may Filipino taste kasi siyempre, when we say adaptation, hindi naman puwede na [gayahin] natin siya na Korean na Korean talaga.
"Kailangan kasi kahit papaano, when we show Start-Up Philippines to the audience, mayroon pa rin mga common connectors kasi ganun naman tayo when we watch series, or even movies, hinahanap natin kung saan tayo makaka-relate, e.
"The writers, the creatives really did a wonderful job creating those connectors para sa audience na, 'Ay, meron din ako n'yan. Ay, ganito rin ako.'
"Very Pinoy pa rin siya but at the same time, ginagawa siya in the blueprint of the K-drama series."
In a separate interview, Start Up-Ph directors Jerry Sineneng and Dominic Zapata also shared some of the small changes in the series.
Direk Jerry said, "The little touches like pagmamano, the way you respect the elderly, like the way we show our love for the elderly, iba. Magkaiba kasi tayo sa Korea sa ganung bagay."
Meanwhile, Direk Dom cited a scene from the original series as an example, and shared how they managed to add some Pinoy touch into the adaptation.
"Kunwari si Good Boy (Han Ji-Pyeong) [nagsungit] sa harap ni lola. Nung pinanood ko kasi originally 'yung 'Start Up,' [I thought,] 'Kaya niyang sungitan ng ganun 'yung lola? Matitiis niya nang ganun?'"
"Sa Pilipino, baka hindi ka na kayang patawarin. Mapapatawad natin si Good Boy nung bata siya kasi alam nating hindi siya Pilipino pero 'pag makakita ka ng Pilipino na ganun ang pagtrato sa nakakatanda sa kanya, medyo issue 'yun.
"So you kind of temper that."
Joining Alden in Start-Up Ph is Bea Alonzo. Start-Up Ph is Bea's first soap project as a Kapuso.
The stellar cast includes Yasmien Kurdi, Jeric Gonzales, Gina Alajar, Boy 2 Quizon, Royce Cabrera, and Kim Domingo.
Before Start-Up Ph, Alden starred in The World Between Us, which is now available in the United States via Amazon Freevee.
Catch the star-studded Start-Up Ph soon on GMA Telebabad. Viewers abroad can also watch the show through GMA Pinoy TV.
Meet the cast of Start-Up Ph in this gallery:
