In an online press conference, the GMA Network production team confirmed that Sanya Lopez was their only choice to take on the role of Yaya Melody for the upcoming teleserye, First Yaya.
Senior program manager Ali Nokom-Dedicatoria said that when Marian Rivera opted out of the role for personal reasons, they looked through the roster of GMA Network artists available for the role and unanimously picked Sanya.
“Nung nagbackout si Marian due to personal reasons, dahil di sya pwede sa locked-in tapings. Chineck namin yung roster namin ng mga artist. Tapos unanimous yung pick namin na si Sanya will be bagay for the role,” said Ali.
She also said that the GMA Network went with the gut feeling and based her selection on her past shows. She also clarified that she was their only choice to take on the role.
“We went with our gut feeling, at saka yung mga past shows nya na she did really well. And Unanimous ang decision ng GMA7 na si Sanya ay fit for the role. Wala kaming ano ha, wala kaming second choice for her,” said Ali.
Director LA Madridejos also added that the team unanimously decided that Sanya is their only choice for the role, and cited her personality and reliability to the audience.
“Nakita namin yung progression. Kung paano nagrerespond si Sanya sa challenges na binibigay sa kanya at ina-acknowledge to nung mga audience na naging fans nya. Nakita namin yun. And naisip namin na bagay na bagay sa character nya sa personality nya si Yaya Melody. Lahat kami nagkasundo na walang second choice, si Sanya dapat ang maging first Yaya,” said Director LA.
Sanya started her career in 2012. She also starred in multiple GMA7 productions such as Encantadia (2016-2017), Haplos, and Cain at Abel.
