Review: Tayong Dalawa (2009)

Image via Wikipedia.

One of ABS CBN's most successful primetime drama broadcast in 2009, Tayong Dalawa follows the story of two men who share the same name, the same father, and the same woman of interest; starring Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca who take on the role of "David Garcia Jr." 

David "JR" Garcia Jr. (Gerald Anderson) has had it rough even when he was young, while David "Dave" Garcia Jr. (Jake Cuenca) enjoyed everything in a silver platter. These two Davids with fates intertwined since birth finally crosses paths after entering the Philippine Military Academy. They become the best of friends and had bonds very well established. However, they soon find out that they are actually half brothers who share the same father. To make matters worst, they even fall in love with the same woman in the guise of Audrey King (Kim Chiu). Can these two Davids continue on in a world that's supposed to be built for only one?

Image via ABS-CBN.

So, ABS' best primetime offering this year (or so I think) has already ended. Up until the last episode, Tayong Dalawa continued to be an engaging watch that you'd want to go over and discuss with friends. I for one had instances of talking about the drama with several people like December whom I met at MOKO—sharing insights about the show as it runs, and speculating about what might happen next as it ends. Yes, it was that good. It even had a good cast that ought to be remembered—especially Coco Martin. This guy is something worth keeping an eye on. Oh, and I loved Gina Pareño as Lola Gets too.

However, as an old saying goes, nothing in this world remains perfect. While I thoroughly enjoyed the drama in its entirety I wasn't as impressed with its last episodes. Seriously, show? You kill Audrey? -_- I may not like Kim (yet) very very much acting-wise (though I absolutely loved her in PBB), but do you really have to resort to killing her, just as she becomes happy? What's the point?

Audrey's death was unfair and ruined what was supposed to be going well for the show (at least for me). But that aside, Tayong Dalawa will still remain as one of the top-billed drama ABS has ever had.

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TAGS: Pinoy Soap Reviews   Edit

Review: LaLola (2008)

Images via Pep PH.

Meet Lazaro "Lalo" Lobregat (Wendell Ramos), President and heir to Distelliria Lobregat, one of the country's most successful brewing company. Having both looks and money, he is a womanizer and a heartbreaker who neglects the feelings of women for his own cool image. However, after his ex-girlfriend Ada (Jewel Mische) killed herself because of him, Lalo finds himself in an inexplicable predicament—he's turned into a woman in just a night! Add to that the ever so effeminate changes he is experiencing and a handsome officemate in the guise of Facundo (JC de Vera), will Lalo ever find his way back into being a man? Or will he forever take the identity of Lola as a woman?

Adapted from an Argentine TV series by the same name, LaLola is a Philippine fantasy/romantic comedy starring JC de Vera and Rhian Ramos for the titular role. Penned by Jun Lana, it was produced and distributed by GMA and was aired by the network in its primetime block from October 2008 to February 2009.

Image via Wikipedia.

None of my family nor friends have seen the original LaLola, so there wasn't anything we could compare the remake with. Thus, watching the drama was like watching something that you take in as new and fresh, something different and unique. Which might not be a bad thing at all since you don't get to bash the remake and see the entirety of its flaws opposite the original source material. GMA's LaLola had actually been a light and funny watch, a breath of fresh air from all those heavy dramas circling around money and power, or those fantasy dramas filling primetime just to keep up with the trend. Although LaLola has an element of fantasy in it, it was a good thing that the show as a whole didn't deal on it as much as it dealt with emotions and gender stereotypes as well as other very worldly situations.

Rhian Ramos' titular role for the drama was her biggest break to date, and while I used to see her as nothing but a pretty face, this drama otherwise proved that Rhian can act, and act well at that. I even went as far as thinking that LaLola was actually a Rhian/Keempee drama in terms of delivery (despite of my love JC being in it), as their portrayal was more compelling whereas JC's, although he did well, fell quite short as far as comedy is concerned. 

That aside, LaLola is a pretty funny and engaging watch that I haven't really expected to enjoy this much. Way to go Jun Lana! =)

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TAGS: JC De Vera, JC De Vera Dramas, Pinoy Soap Reviews   Edit

Review: Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (2008)

What does it take for you to realize that everything is all too much? Heartaches? Bruises? Life? And when realization finally hits you, what are you going to do?

Image via Pinoy Exchange.

A remake of the 1989 hit movie starring Sharon Cuneta which is based from Gilda Olvidado's best-selling novel of the same name, Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (I Will Rise and Crush You; Sweet Revenge) was one of GMA's latest offering in the primetime department earlier this year. It stars the youngest of the network's stars for its leads, with Yasmien Kurdi playing Salve opposite JC de Vera who's playing Derek/Rod.

The story revolves around Salve's life, a typical barrio lass deprived of education and proper affection who falls in love with Alfred (Marvin Agustin), a man whom she thought was right for her. Unknown to Salve, what Alfred was really after wasn't her but an inheritance she doesn't know about. Determined to keep her riches a secret from her and rise to the top as a popular and powerful man, he left Salve for Via (Angelika dela Cruz), a politician's daughter who connived with him in making an attempt to Salve's life. Left devastated and heartbroken, Salve then meets Derek/Rod, who, with the help of Evita (Salve's real mother and Derek's surrogate parent played by Dina Bonnevie), promises to help her fight back and get even with the people who ruined her life.

Image via Pep PH.

A few common things that one is likely to notice about Philippine soaps include these: money, power, politics. In every show there is in Philippine TV, a rich-guy-poor-girl (or vice versa) set-up is almost always present. A power hungry evil villain is almost always there as well, just as politics is almost always a recurring theme. Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita is no exception from the norm, in that it is a heavy drama that deals with all three... and the lengths each characters could go through in order to get what they want most.

And so when I first heard about Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, I wasn't thrilled. I'm pretty fed up of almost the same storylines in television, and acting-wise I don't like Yasmien Kurdi. While Dina Bonnevie and Angelika dela Cruz are far better actresses in their game, casting younger talents as leads made the show looked sort of meh. But I've never been happy to be wrong, because JC de Vera proved his worth as a lead, and at the same time, proved that Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita was actually worth the watch. Derek/Rod was somehow a challenging role to portray and JC was able to deliver it quite well. And yes, though I really didn't like Yasmien Kurdi, I absolutely fell in love with their pairing. 

And it wasn't just their pairing that I fell in love with, because I absolutely fell in love with JC as well.

I seldom love Filipino actors as much (or as easy) as this, and while I've seen many actors and actresses pull their A game in both movies and dramas, there isn't a specific actor that I decide to follow for the rest of my viewing life. And though JC de Vera fell in the 'to follow' category as easy as that, he is one talent I'd still be sure to keep an eye on.

So yeah. Thank you, drama, for delivering something that has been worth my while. And thank you, drama, for introducing me to a talent as awesome and handsome as JC.

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TAGS: JC De Vera, JC De Vera Dramas, Pinoy Soap Reviews   Edit