Make way for Jericho, the new Panday on TV

Carlo J. Caparas, "the father of Panday," says that had Fernando Poe Jr. been alive, he would have given Jericho Rosales "two thumbs up." He recalls that a few years back, Jericho said he’d love to do Panday, which Da King immortalized on the big screen four times. But then the young actor felt awed, intimidated following in the footsteps of the country’s greatest actor.

Carlo told FPJ about it and the Da King gave Jericho an enthusiastic approval. "The father of Panday" tag came from no less than the widow of FPJ, Susan Roces, said at the trade launch of Panday, which airs on ABS-CBN starting next month. Carlo and his wife, Donna Villa, met Mrs. Poe at the event attended by the stars and staff of Panday and she called the superstar novelist "the father of Panday," flattering the Caparas couple no end.

Present at the trade launch were Jericho and his Panday leading lady Heart Evangelista, Victor Neri; Phillip Salvador; Panday directors Toto Natividad and Rechie del Carmen; and ABS-CBN executives led by Charo Santos and Cito Alejandro.

Carlo and Donna also joined the presscon of Panday, where its trailer was shown. Very impressive, indeed. Carlo congratulated Toto and Rechie, saying Jericho came out very well as the new Panday on television. "FPJ would have given him two thumbs up."

Direk Rechie gave the credit to Toto, who said he directed 70 to 80 percent of Panday, including the spectacular trailer which also impressed the entertainment media.

Donna said, "I’m glad that the young and innovative people of the network took care of everything. They did a wonderful job."

When ABS-CBN was negotiating with her and Carlo, she was asked if she was interested in line producing Panday. Donna declined as she was busy with other TV projects. "Kung ako ang line producer titipirin ko si Carlo," she laughed. To which Carlo agreed.

Carlo is consultant of the Panday TV series, giving his inputs as to the story and characters. So far, he is mighty pleased with what he has seen.

Of the many komiks novels Carlo has penned since the ’70s, Panday remains the most popular and lasting. He thanks FPJ for giving it a larger-than-life, a legendary quality. Panday as portrayed by Da King is the embodiment of all that is noble and courageous in a Filipino, in a man. There will never be another FPJ.

Donna said that FPJ made other stories written by Carlo, including Totoy Bato, Ang Maestro, Daang Hari and Sambahin ang Ngalan Mo.

She doesn’t want to call Panday a teleserye. "It’s a sineserye, parang pelikula."

Toto agreed, "Mas magastos, mas mahirap, at mas malaki ang Panday kesa lahat ng pelikulang nagawa ko." He shot in Ilocos and Bohol. He plans to go to either Banaue or Mindanao, preferably the latter, "Para covered ang Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao. Buong Pilipinas."

In the teleserye, rather sineserye, Phillip Salvador has a guest role as Flavio (the FPJ character), who gives the magical Panday sword to Jericho (Tristan). The love interest is Heart Evangelista (Eden) and the main contravida is Victor Neri (Lizardo).

Toto and Carlo agreed that of the current young actors, only Jericho Rosales could play the legendary and heroic Panday. He’s got the looks and the stance, not to say acting ability.

If Jericho plays his cards well, Carlo believes the actor will be doing the role for a decade or so as he’s still young, only in his mid-20s. After the sineserye, perhaps a movie will be next.

Carlo and Donna have two kids, CJ who’s 15 and Peach, who’s a few years younger. Carlo envisions CJ as a future Panday. But Donna said that it seems CJ isn’t interested in an acting career. He wants to be a lawyer.

But then who knows? In the meantime, make way for Jericho as he gives life to Panday on the small screen, following in the giant footsteps of Da King.

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