Straight from the heart

MANILA, Philippines - According to ABS-CBN business unit head Deo Endrinal, Tayong Dalawa, the compelling drama that intertwines the lives of two David Garcias (Jake Cuenca and Gerald Anderson) is far from over. The story is heightened and lengthened not because of its 35.3 percent rating but because there’s a lot of room to explore in the characters’ lives.

“The story has the ability to expand,” says director Ruel Bayani. “It is rich and complex. The characters are richly textured. During its presscon in Teatrino, we told everybody Tayong Dalawa is going to be a long show whether it will be successful or not.”

The following the Primetime Bida series is enjoying hinges a lot on the storytelling. Direk Ruel shares they are able to come up with a structure that makes televiewers think the story is nearing its end when it has just started.

“It’s a testament to how a story is sustaining the people’s interest and putting them at the edge of their seat,” the director adds.

If many think Audrey (Kim Chiu) will end up with JR (Gerald), they should think again. The think-tank behind the show will “exhaust all the possibilities that the ending is not predictable.” It will always be a roller coaster ride for the characters as they confront new twists and turns.

Will the crying and fighting end? Direk Ruel doesn’t want to give any hint. Tayong Dalawa, however, will remain a contemporary/modern drama — a cut-above-the-edge soap kissing goodbye to the days of Esperanza.

What also endears the show to viewers is its natural, unscripted dialogues (like the conversation between Cherry Pie Picache and Gina Pareño). They sound like they come straight from real life.

For the past five months it has been on air, Tayong Dalawa has caught the attention of the younger audience. It has also received snail mails from the average Juan dela Cruz and e-mails from those who live in posh subdivisions.

Direk Ruel says the characters are not caricature or two dimensional. They can be bida and kontrabida in the story. Thus, the televiewers can feel for them and understand where they are coming from. That’s why the public either sides with Gerald or Jake. Jake is also part of the upcoming Star Cinema’s Villa Estrella. We will see him as Alex, one of the visitors who will unravel the mysteries of the villa’s dark, murky water.

What’s his reaction that some people express interest in reformatting Tayong Dalawa in their countries?

“It’s an achievement that they wish to buy the show and let their actors portray Tayong Dalawa characters,” replies Ruel. “It only shows that we are world class and can come up with something the global audience can watch because of its universal themes (e.g. family, love and friendship).”

At the end of the day, Tayong Dalawa’s success is still attributed to the collaborative efforts among stars, creative people and production staff. It has a credible cast with the right attitude — no ego tripping.

Tayong Dalawa has surpassed all the physically and emotionally draining scenes because of the cast’s energy, says direk Ruel.