The hunt is on for Asian Treasures

After bidding Captain Barbell goodbye last Friday, fans on Monday said hello to Asian Treasures, a new GMA series starring Robin Padilla and Angel Locsin. It is Robin’s Padilla’s first TV series on GMA, and Angel Locsin’s third teamup with a different leading man. Together, they’ll kick ass all over Asia with their own brand of martial arts. Padilla talks about how the project began. “Kasi matagal na panahon na akong hindi gumawa ng pelikula na inilalarawan ang ating kasayasayan. Ngunit sa malungkot na pangyayari, hindi po kumikita (ang ganitong mga pelikula). Eh ngayon po, sa talino at pagsasama ng mga talento sa GMA, nakagawa sila ng isang proyekto na naglalahad ng kasayasayan ngunit hindi nagsesermon. "Ito ay ang sinasabing napagsama nila sa salitang Ingles ang ‘fiction’ at ‘yung katotohanan na makapagbibigay ng kasiyahan o entertainment sa tao para hindi naman sila makatulog sa harap ng telebisyon.” Padilla was in Thailand, for martial arts training when GMA’s Reggie Acuña-Magno presented the project to him. “Sabi ko, aba eksakto ito! Nandito ako, tapos ganyan! Kaya nagkatuluyan,” Padilla says. He has been all praises for the Angel, whom he calls “Reyna ng Fantaserye." "Talaga namang saksakan po siya ng tapang," he says. "At umaapaw ang kagandahan.” Locsin portrays Gabriela, a feisty, aggressive, and streetsmart girl with a past that she does not know of. Because of constant threats on her life, her family hires a bodyguard, Elias (Robin Padilla) to keep her company. Gabriela’s feminist instincts are strongly against this, but she does not have any choice but to deal with Elias. Their constant bickering adds to the engaging dialogues and fight scenes, especially with Binoe’s comedic bantering. Joining the duo are Marvin Agustin, Diana Zubiri, Eddie Garcia, Julie Gamboa, Ronaldo Valdez, Caridad Sanchez, and Jaime Fabregas, among others. Something to watch out for is Agustin’s role, which is a far cry from his characters in the past. This time, he’ll be the bad guy. “Nandiyan din ang mga totoong martial artists - nandito ‘yung ating mga champion ng URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championship), si PJ, ‘yung wrestler. Tapos ‘yung World Champion ng Wushu, si Jerome. Kumpleto po to. Wala nang hahanapin pa,” Padilla says. Various kinds of martial arts incorporated into the adventure series is what makes Asian Treasures unique. Locsin was even trained by the RP Team in Muay Thai, with the help of Padila, who is also chairman of the Muay Thai Association of the Philippines. Although a lot of people have been saying that Asian Treasures is an imitation of blockbusters such as Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones, and National Treasure, Padilla and Locsin just laugh it off. “Ay, eh di parating natin kay Indiana Jones, gusto niya, suntukan na lang kami,” Padilla says with a laugh. “Gusto nila, suntukan sila ni Angel, di ba? Hindi po tayo nanggagaya. Nagkataon lamang po na ‘yung ating ginagawang proyekto ay may kinalaman din sa kayamanan. Kasi ‘yung Indiana Jones at Tomb Raider ay may kinalaman sa paghahanap ng kayaman. Pero kung ang paguusapan ay action, ‘yung acting, ay hindi po ako kailanman papayag na mas maganda sa ating ang dayuhan. Magaling lang sila sa effects. Pero sa atin pong palakasan, eh hindi po ako papayag.” Padilla obviously hasn’t lost his comedic charm: “Kahit nga po si Spiderman e matagal ko nang hinahamon yan eh.” Locsin agrees: “Magkaiba kami (ni Lara Croft). Ang pinagkapareho lang namin, palaban kami at galit sa lalaki. Pero ang pinakagusto ko sa story ng Asian Treasures, may sundot kami sa history. Hindi naman sinasabi na maglelecture kami sa history, di ba? Pero para sa mga manonood nito, magiging interesado sila ulit sa history. ‘Totoo ba ‘yun? Nangyari ba ‘yun talaga?’ ‘Yung parang magkakaroon sila ng (mga tanong), tapos magre-research sila, magtatanong sila sa mga parents nila or teachers.” Asian Treasures began airing on Monday, January 15, right after 24 Oras. - iGMA.TV