A phenomenal love team turned into a one-hit wonder. Is this the correct description of the once-much-talked-about BarDa loveteam of Barbie Forteza and David Licauco?
Forteza and Licauco’s tandem was born from the hit Kapuso historical-portal fantasy series ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra.’ Because of their impressive onscreen chemistry as the lead characters Fidel and Klay, MCAI fans shipped them as the loveteam FiLay.
Their popularity paved the way for GMA Network to introduce them as their newest cherished tandem, BarDa, positioning them in the most coveted slot in the primetime bloc via the 90s action movie adaptation, ‘Maging Sino Ka Man (MSKM),’ which replaced the triumphant live-action adaptation of ‘Voltes V: Legacy.’
Yet, it appears that their initial on-screen success didn’t translate into continued triumph, especially in TV ratings.
Despite the triumph of ‘Voltes V: Legacy’ and their proven track record in MCAI, BarDa failed to replicate the same success. The premiere of MSKM on September 11, 2023, demonstrated disappointing ratings in contrast to its rival ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo (FPJBQ).‘ MSKM’s pilot ratings at 11.4 percent fell notably lower than FPJBQ’s 15.9 percent.
Even compared to the pilot of its predecessor, VVL, which scored 14.6 percent, 4 percent higher than FPJBQ’s 10.6 percent, it was markedly lower. Additionally, it fell short of its own MCAI’s pilot rating of 15.1 percent.
Since then, MSKM has consistently lagged behind FPJBQ and, remarkably, became the first Kapuso series in the primetime bloc’s first slot to drop from the top 5 daily programs, sliding to the 6th position on October 5 with a rating of 10.3 percent.
Its ratings plummeted even further on October 6, hitting its lowest recorded rating at 9.5 percent.
While the series exhibited an upward trend in ratings during its final two weeks, reaching the number 3 to number 4 spots in the ratings chart with an average rating of 11 percent, it remained significantly lower compared to its competition.
This leads to our speculation that perhaps GMA Network prematurely launched the loveteam based solely on their success in MCAI, which owed its achievements not only to FiLay’s chemistry but also to the show’s storytelling, production quality, and the ensemble’s acting.
Barda fans have a reason to celebrate as reports suggest that a new teleserye project is in the pipeline for the beloved tandem. This development comes in addition to the movie they worked on, initially submitted for MMFF 2023 consideration but unfortunately did not make the cut.
The duo, known for their successful stint in ‘MCAI,’ is now said to be offered a teleserye with a theme similar to the hit series that catapulted them to fame. Titled ‘Pulang Araw,’ the upcoming series is generating excitement among fans.
The theme, which carries a historical backdrop, is anticipated to bring a fresh narrative and showcase the chemistry that fans have come to love from Barda. The new project is expected to unfold next year, and followers are eager to witness the duo’s magic once again on the small screen.
