Some of the titles that I could reckon with are—the Vilma Santos-the late Dindo Fernando-Hilda Koronel starrer, the 1980 Danny Zialcita film ‘Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?’; then the Maricel Soriano film, which was directed by Maryo J. De Los Reyes titled ‘Saan Darating ang Umaga?’ in 1983; and lastly another Danny Zialcita flick ‘Bakit Manipis ang Ulap?’ in 1985 with Janice de Belen in the starring role.
The three movies had titles that were witty and did stimulate the minds of its moviegoers to think which is which and what’s the connection of the story.
Bea Alonzo assumes a dual role as Atty. Emmanuelle Gaspar-Romero and Rose Buenavista-Salvador. Its story revolves around two different women—a feisty attorney and a kind-hearted heiress of a huge chocolate company, who will be accused of a crime she did not commit as the story progresses. Alonzo is someone I consider the-next-Hilda Koronel-in-the-making. She fits the bill, exactly as it is created for her.
In three episodes on its first week, I’ve seen nothing bad about the show—it’s fast-paced and not boring; every scene is worth savoring. When I say it’s fast-paced, it doesn’t mean; leaving the important details to make the story forward, especially in establishing all the characters’ background.
However, there was just one scene that probably earned some violent reactions from those chocolate experts and those who are in culinary arts—the scene where Paulo Avelino as Patrick Salvador, the chocolatier whom Rose fell in love with and hired eventually to be part of her chocolate shop—was half-naked in making the chocolates named under ‘From the Kitchen of Lola Pat’ (played by Anita Linda). This part, I agree with the reactions that it’s unhygienic. But when I saw the full episode, I think the scene can be excused since it was set in the home of Patrick rather than in a commercial factory.
Despite that scene, I still don’t find it un-appealing since I remember guys half-naked, sweating all over as they mix ground pork and beef for sausages found in local wet markets (I should know, I have seen these guys since my mom used to own a meat stall back in Cebu) and buyers still get to patronize such, no matter what. At times, we just easily react without even trying to look back in some real scenes in everyday life. That scene where Paulo was seen half-naked was to establish how ‘hot’ he is and for Rose to find Patrick as tempting and irresistible at the same time.
Paulo Avelino: A Perfect fit for a Filipino Romantic Novel-kind of a Hero.
It is obvious that this series directed by Jerome C. Pobocan and Trina N. Dayrit is geared toward a more ‘mature’ kind of audience and also for those who read romance novels that were popularized by Jude Deveraux and Janelle Taylor, the two authors I have read and loved in the past.
Even if Avelino doesn’t have to strip-off and show-off his sculptured built and abs—his stares, his smiles, and facial expressions are enough to make him sexy all at the same time. He’s being the Rock Star Chocolatier is something that most female and male gay viewers would go gaga over the show. Let’s face it—it is the purpose of him doing that scene.
Paulo just knows how to seduce not just Bea, but even his audience. The way he delivers his lines were like ‘please-stop-it- I- can’t- take-it-anymore-I’m-giving-in-any-moment’ is the expected reactions of its avid viewers. His way of enticing Rose to appreciate chocolates through the five senses was quite convincing and who could ever resist the presence of Avelino? That being said, if the creative team from GMA-7’s ‘Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real’ claimed that Dingdong Dantes’s role as Anthony was tailored-made for him then I assume that Paulo’s role as Patrick is also custom-fit for him. Even if he only dons a sando on the boobtube—it’s enough to sell him.
Avelino knows how to modulate his voice to make it sound sexy, plus, he’s daring, confident, and attractive in all manner of speaking. This is where the character of Anthony should work harder.
Maricar Reyes: The Perfect Kontrabida as Sasha Bayle-Salvador.
Another interesting element in this series is having the lovely Maricar Reyes playing the villainess as Sasha Bayle, who was the former girlfriend of Patrick.
Of all the roles she did, this one truly defines her as a ‘character actress’. If the character of Patrick was made for Paulo, then Sasha is really Maricar’s. She owned the role. None of today’s actresses can tackle such demanding role as the scheming adopted sister of Rose Buenavista-Salvador.
Every move she makes, it’s either the televiewers would love or hate her. If one hates her, then it’s because of effective portrayal of the role. I see her as the local Angelina Jolie. She doesn’t need to push the envelope further, but she is also the next-Eula Valdez-in-the-making.
The Cast is well-assembled.
ABS-CBN Channel 2 never failed in this department. Playing Emmanuelle’s husband is the equally talented actor Albert Martinez as Leo Romero, Dina Bonnevie as Laura Bayle-Buenavista, Tonton Gutierrez as Carlos Syquia, Susan Roces as Ruth Gaspar, Anita Linda as Lola Patchi, and Eddie Garcia as Magno Ruiz.
By far, for the three episodes, except for Eddie Garcia, all of the cast members delivered well what were required of them. Garcia hasn’t appeared only on the fourth day, which I can’t say anything about for now. But knowing him—there isn’t any role he can’t convincingly breathe into. I am sure he will be outstanding with his character.
Then, its supporting cast members—Francis Magundayao as Sebastian Syquia, Michelle Vito as Violet Buenavista, Miguel Vergara as Francisco Miguel ‘Kit’ Romero, and Malou Crisologo were simply stunning in their appearances.
‘Sana Bukas pa ang Kahapon’ has great promise of replacing the top-rater ‘The Legal Wife’. Though its attack is the romance novel type, it is effective indeed since it explores the intended target market and let them assume the role of the heroine and that is Rose and Emmanuelle. Rose in this case, see herself as an ‘average’ type of woman in appearance, but mind you, the hero which is Patrick sees her incredibly attractive in some ways. Though part of the plot is that he resist the idea of getting involved with her, but she’s just too much and he that he readily decides that she’s ‘the one.’
Given all the elements and the interesting ‘twists’ and ‘turns’ of this series, then it’s not just the witty title that may intrigue its future following, but because of the formula it has adopted and painted in the imagination of its viewers—this new series is a runaway winner in the ratings game, again.
The series replaced ‘The Legal Wife’ timeslot everyday Mondays through Fridays at 9:05pm.
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2 Comments
Galing ni bea alonzo sa acting performance,best actress
I really love the series very much because it teaches me a lot about true love.thanks