On Monday, June 6, The Broken Marriage Vow‘s directors, Andoy Ranay and Connie Macatuno, wanted Filipinos to remember that Filipinos have the capabilities to amass an audience across the globe.
In the final media conference of the Filipino adaptation of the hit British series Doctor Foster, Macatuno revealed that ABS-CBN envisioned it to be a show that could cater not only to the Filipino audience but also globally.
“I think ano, siguro ito ‘yung unang—base sa mga comments na naibigay sa’kin or feedback na naibigay sa’kin, siguro ito ang unang serye na naging very Filipino ang approach niya but in a global context,” she said.
The director added, “Except ito, may mindful effort na maging global ang approach niya. Kumbaga nagpapakilala ka sa ibang bansa na, ‘Eto kami bilang Pilipino.’
“Ang parte siguro ng joy ko rito is hindi lang ‘yung buong Pilipinas ang nagsaya tungkol sa kanya or nag-connect sa kanya kundi lahat ng Pilipino sa buong mundo na inaabutan ng TFC.”
She received positive feedback from viewers, stating that The Broken Marriage Vow made Filipinos abroad “proud.” Their show has been the most viewed on iWantTFC and Viu.
“So iyon ang para sa akin na ngingiti ako. Hindi siya madaling gawin pero ito ‘yung end result. Sana ma-reawaken. Kumbaga lahat tayo, ang pag-iisip natin [ay] [ang] magpakilala bilang Pilipino, globally.”
Ranay pointed out that their show has “elevated” the standards in the Filipino entertainment industry.
“I believe doon sa pagtaas ng standard natin, and to compete globally as Filipino filmmakers, parang…sa’kin mas iyon eh.
“Kumbaga kung dati, ang inaabangan ng mga manunuod na Pilipino mga nagsasampalan, dito wala kang nakitang nagsampalan, nagsubunutan na confrontation.
“Walang mga ganoon eh. But as a filmmaker, gumagawa ng mga teleserye, naiangat na natin at this point kung paano tayo nagkekuwento ng [isang] teleserye via global brand that is Doctor Foster.”
It will also put pressure on the show that will replace theirs, he said.
“Kasi kailangan parang [dapat] mas maganda na dito, o parang hindi na tayo p’wedeng bumalik sa dati for us to compete globally and also [to] be recognized as well sa digital platform all over the world. Para hindi lang tayo sa buong Pilipinas lang. Marami pa tayong audience na kailangang ma-reach, maabot,” explained Ranay.
Getting to the exciting part.
Ranay revealed that telling the unique story of The Broken Marriage Vow was the most exciting part. He stressed that the Filipino adaptation followed the original version’s story arc but “with a Filipino twist.”
“The most exciting part talaga ay ‘yung pagkekwento—pagkwento mo bilang isang Pinoy filmmaker. Dahil adaptation ito, ayaw mo siyang gayahin, ayaw mong gayahin ang mga version na napanuod mo. Because hindi talaga p’wedeng maging ganoon eh. Kasi iba ang kultura nila, iba ‘yung nuances ng mga artista.”
Also, the cast led by Jodi Sta. Maria, Sue Ramirez, Zanjoe Marudo, and Zaijian Jaranilla were perfect. Direk Andoy shared how their talents contributed to the show by coming to the set prepared.
“Hindi kami nahirapan, ako hindi ako nahirapan to direct them. Because they know to begin with kung ano ‘yung mga characters nila, kung ano ‘yung mga scenes na gagawin nila.”
He added, “It was so difficult for us as filmmakers na i-workshop pa sila or sabihin pa sa kanila kung ano ang mga susunod na scenes to guide them. Sila mismo mayroon silang mga ambag para mapaganda ang ginagawa naming project. Very collaborative.”
For Macatuno, having the pieces fit was the most exciting part. She admitted going into 200-400 Powerpoint slides during the pre-production phase.
But as they arrived at the location in Baguio, the director discovered that “everything was perfect.”
“Alam mo ‘yung character, mabuhay. Tapos iyong location mo biglang mag-fit in. Kasi dati pictures lang iyan eh.”
She also saw how their vision materialized as they began taping the show.
“Sa’kin ‘yung pinaka-exciting is makita ko, three-dimensionally, ‘yung konsepto, or ‘yung vision, na dati nasa utak lang, ngayon nakikita mo na siya nangyayari.”
Furthermore, from the crew up to the cast, Macatuno saw how each and everyone “bloomed.”
“Kung ilan man kami doon sa set na iyon, simula utility hanggang dulo. Kasi lahat iyan, para magawa mo iyong vision na ‘yon in a short period of time, kasi nga pandemic, kailangan mayroong teamwork.”
In the meantime, The Broken Marriage Vow reaches its final three weeks with David (Marudo) navigating his feelings towards Dr. Jill (Sta. Maria) and Lexi (Ramirez).
The show airs weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Jeepney TV, A2Z Channel 11, and TV5. It is also available on iWantTFC and Viu.
