Producer-director speaks up against criticisms on Liza Soberano's voice acting in 'Trese'

Producer and director Jay Oliva addressed criticisms on Liza Soberano's voice acting as Alexandra Trese on the Netflix anime series "Trese."

On Twitter, Tuesday, Oliva said he spoke to "Trese" creator Budjette Tan about how he "envisioned the character" when casting the role of Alexandra.

According to the director, Tan said Trese is like Batman or Bruce Wayne. 

"She's cold and unemotional at times because of all the things she's experienced in life," Oliva said.

"I've cast a lot of Batman/Bruce Wayne's in my career so I know a thing or two about tortured souls who persevere to do right and defend those who cannot defend themselves," he added.

Oliva said both Shay Mitchell who did the English dub and Soberano who did the Tagalog dub for Trese "brought unique performances that was better than [he] could have imagined."

"So whether you like one more than the other or if you like them both think the thing to celebrate the most is that we have brought Filipino mythology and lore to the world and world is responding by how much they love it!" he said.

"Thank you Philippines, your support made this happen."

Oliva also commended other voice actors in other languages.

"On a side note, the other language actors who play Alexandra are pretty dang awesome too!" he said. "Watching it in the other languages I actually forgot I worked on the show and it felt so new and fresh! Netflix dubbing team did an incredible job!"

Meanwhile, professional voice actress Inka Magnaye defended Soberano's performance as "Trese" but she also expressed hope that voice actors can be given the opportunity to show their mettle in future animated projects.

"Trese," the first Philippine anime on Netflix, premiered on June 11. It took the top spot of Netflix Philippines chart on the weekend it premiered.

—Jannielyn Bigtas/MGP, GMA News