Five reasons to watch 'Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa'
Saturday nights will be a lot more entertaining starting May 14 with the world premiere of the much-awaited primetime sitcom Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa, starring two of the biggest names in show business Kapuso Primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.
This new sitcom is a project between leading broadcast network GMA-7 and APT Entertainment together with the Dantes couple's company Agosto Dos Media.
While we wait, here are the five reasons why Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa will be your favorite weekend bonding with the whole family.
1. DongYan comeback project after 10 years
Finally, the wish of millions of DongYan fans across the globe will be granted with this comeback project of Dingdong and Marian.
It's been 10 years, since their last project together when they were cast as the lead stars in My Beloved (2012).
DongYan has appeared in several successful TV shows like MariMar (2007), Dyesebel (2008), and Endless Love (2010).
According to Marian, this new sitcom is dedicated to their loyal fans, who have been clamoring to see their team up again. She stated, “Kung miss nila kami. Mas miss na miss namin sila. Kaya siguro isa ito sa ma-o-offer namin sa kanila.
After 10 years nakikita namin 'yung mga comments nila, nangungulit sila. “Mine-message rin kami kung kailan kami babalik, mag-sama kaming dalawa. So, finally ito mangyayari na talaga siya, so para sa kanila 'yan.”
2. John 'Sweet' Lapus, from TV host-comedian to director
The TV project will be helmed by a multi-talented showbiz personality, no less than seasoned TV host and comedian John 'Sweet' Lapus. A bit of trivia, Sweet worked with Marian Rivera before in the hit sitcom Show Me Da Manny (2009).
Direk Sweet told the members of the press during the media conference what it meant for him to be part of DongYan's comeback project.
“It was such an honor. Hindi lang ito malaking responsibility, malaking pasasalamat. This is also a blessing sa panahon ng pandemya nagkaroon tayo lahat ng trabaho, nagkaroon ako ng trabaho.
“No less to direct the primetime king and queen of GMA, ang dami-daming director na p\wede naman gawin ito, [pero] para ako mapili ng aking mga producers. Literally, naiyak po ako, noong una kasi hindi pa sinasabi sa akin ng APT Entertainment,”
3. Multi-talented co-stars
Dingdong and Maria, together with GMA Network and APT Entertainment, chose a unique set of highly-respected actors and comedy stars in showbiz to be part of Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa.
Members of the cast include seasoned actor Johnny Revilla, versatile actress Shamaine Buencamino, and broadway star Pinky Amador. Joining them are funny men Pekto and Benjie Paras together with newbie Loujude and TV-social media personality Hershey Neri.
4. Get your weekly dose of kilig with Sparkle loveteam #JaNia
Sparkle sweethearts Jamir Zabarte and Zonia Mejia will add more kilig to the highly-anticipated sitcom.
The Sparkle love team has already proven their on-screen chemistry via the popular primetime series Heartful Café starring Julie Anne San Jose and David Licauco in 2021.
Direk John 'Sweet' Lapus shared that they were blown away by the performance of Jamir and Zonia during the audition process.
He remembered, “We were given four love teams to choose from Sparkle GMA Artist Center, tapos sila talaga 'yung pina-first reading. 'Tapos after namin mag-reading, sinabi na namin lahat, 'okay na kami. Sila na,' kuwento ni Direk Sweet.
“Hindi na namin pinag-read 'yung iba pang naka-line up. Ganun kahusay ang dalawang batang ito. 'Yung reading kahit via Zoom lang mararamdaman mo, e.
5. Good dose of laugh and quality entertainment
GMA Network is the true home of the best comedy programs and sitcoms. Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa is no exception for viewers will not just get a good dose of laughter every week, but they will also learn a lot in each episode.
Dingdong relates, “Gusto rin namin gawin ay masilip din kung ano 'yung nangyayari sa buhay mag-asawa sa bawat tahanan ng mga Pilipino,” shared Dingdong.
“Kasi, maraming mga issues ang napapag-usapan, 'yung mga challenges, 'yung mga conflicts 'di ba 'yung mga bagay na parang 'uy medyo nakakatawa,' pero may lalim, dahil may problema.
“So, tinatalakay din siya sa show na ito. Creatively through our stories, so hindi lang siya puro comedy, may mga episode rin na may drama. Basta ang bottom line, every episode kumbaga pagkatapos n'yo panoorin may takeaway na values, may takeaway na learnings. At the same time na-entertain kayo.”
Mark your calendars, mga Kapuso!
Join us as we all welcome back our favorite showbiz couple on primetime, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera via Jose and Maria's Bonggang Villa. Catch the world premiere on May 14 at 7:15 p.m.