Walang Hanggan vs Legacy: And the first round goes to...

When TV5 launched its Glamorosa teleserye with big-name stars of yesterday walking the red carpet at the Meralco penthouse, that augured well for the return of glamour and good old discipline and passion for the craft in the acting arena. Recently, the two major players on television, ABS-CBN and GMA 7, held same day press launches and same day airings as if to be sending a message loud and clear that the competition is really between the two of them and may the best one win.

As we watched Walang Hanggan on ABS-CBN Channel 2 Monday night and Legacy on GMA 7, we expected that what would follow would be the opening week ratings coming from both networks. We wonder if the teleserye that opened some minutes earlier would be at an advantage? Or would the serye that is a half hour longer rate better? We wonder if those charged with coming out with ratings take into consideration that there are indeed viewers who shuttle from one to the other or even maintain two TV sets side by side and actually view both shows.

Walang Hanggan clearly has the advantage of a bigger cast introduced at the media launch, all of whom have been very visible since on every program on ABS throughout the day promoting the series. The undying love story from three generations is what gives scope and grandeur to the teleserye. During Monday’s opening episode, two generations were quickly introduced, their relationships to one another, and possible encounters in the future.

Imagine having two queens of Philippine Cinema, Susan Roces and Helen Gamboa, playing sisters no less, both involved with the same man (Eddie Gutierrez). One is likely to give in (Susan) and suffer in silence. Helen is the ambitious one, to whom money and stature in society is most important, is married to Eddie who clearly sides with Susan in matters of conflict. Playboy Richard Gomez is the son who has willingly played suitor to Rita Avila for the money she will bring into mama’s wine business. Until he meets Dawn Zulueta, wage earner for their family, falls in love with her and rejects Rita’s offer of love and financial assistance, proposes marriage to Dawn, which aunt Susan has happily aided and abetted, with dad Eddie advising him to follow his heart. But a careless P50-bet with friends during a drinking session is unearthed to destroy this all too perfect love affair. Dawn throws away the infinity ring Richard had given her and the episode ends.  

The once real and reel loveteam of Dawn and Richard was thought to be a love story made in heaven. We were present at its making, and its breaking, having been manager to Dawn at that time. We shared her giggles, laughter and tears. Even as both went separate ways to build their own families with spouses welcoming the past loves with warmth and affection, Richard and Dawn continued to represent the consummate loveteam difficult to replace.

Their love story began on the set of Carlitos Siguion Reyna’s Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, and blossomed there. The 1991 movie based on Emily Bronte’s romantic drama Wuthering Heights of star-crossed lovers caught the public’s attention, as well as the School of Inattention’s meticulous Oggs Cruz who gave it a thumbs up. Oggs wrote, “It is an impeccably shot film… It is a fantasy that clearly exploits a nation’s infatuation for larger-than-life struggles, of the downtrodden eventually reversing his fortunes, of victimizers getting their eventual punishment, and of love against all odds. Bronte’s classic work, stripped away of the complexity of its multi-generational narrative, perfectly suits this requirement. Siguion-Reyna shies away from portraying the subtleties of love and instead depicts it in its full grandeur and opulence.”

The cast of GMA 7’s Legacy (from left) Ryza Cenon, Geoff Eigenmann, Alessandra de Rossi, Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe, Cherie Gil, Jackielou Blanco and Maritoni Fernandez

We have an inkling that Star Cinema might have considered a remake of Hihintayin, perhaps with a happier ending like that of William Wyler’s film version of Wuthering Heights where the ending shows the lovers in happier times traipsing along the hills of Batanes where the film was set. But Carlitos refused to sell the film rights which he confirmed to us. Perhaps, Carlitos knew that Hihintayin had a bright future as a remake. If he had been present at the media launch of Walang Hanggan, he would have been all the more convinced. More so now that the opening episode with the Dawn and Richard’s love story is firmly in place.

Ironically, objections to the epic romance have been in the somewhat awkward pairing of Coco Martin, veteran of many indies, films and multiple awards, and the 16-year-old Julia Montes as the young couple for whom this huge build-up is expected to benefit. We have heard names like Erich Gonzales and Maja Salvador suggested by many, but both are still busy with running teleseryes. Their directors Jerry Lopez Sineneng and Trina Dayrit will clearly need to work double time on their young leads to come up to expectation.

We expect much from Melissa Ricks, Joem Bascon, Paulo Avelino and especially Joel Torre. But at the moment, Spanky Manikan runs away with the support intro as Dawn’s drunkard of a father who loves his family to death but just can’t do anything right.  

Over at GMA 7, three sisters played by Heart Evangelista, Lovi Poe and Alessandra de Rossi fight over the inheritance left by their dad Eddie Garcia. Their leading men are Geoff Eigenmann, Sid Lucero, and Mike Tan. Propping up this main cast is that all-important roster of great support in Eddie Garcia, Liza Lorena, Jackielou Blanco, Cherie Gil, Maritoni Fernandez, Solenn Heussaff, Mark Bautista, Ryza Cenon, Sam Pinto and Charize Solomon. Making cameo appearances are Dennis Trillo, Bianca King, Carla Abellana and Chynna Ortaleza.

The first episode begins 25 years ago with dad Eddie still alive but already contemplating the future of his three daughters. Meantime, a subplot has Dennis married to Chynna Ortaleza but in love with Bianca. Wife catches husband in bed with mistress.What does this provoking episode lead to? More on our next Live Feed.. 

Television’s bigger drama

The teleseryes might be hogging the limelight last Jan. 16, but for the broadcast media a bigger drama was the first day of the impeachment hearing of Chief Justice Renato Corona for culpable violation of the Constitution, betrayal of public trust and graft and corruption. As early as 4 a.m., we tune into Aksyon TV on TV5 to witness television crews setting up outdoor and indoor cameras in designated locations.

We watch the proceedings that started promptly before 2 p.m. and ended by 4 p.m. presided over by Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile. Unlike other sessions characterized by disorder, this first of its kind trial had allocated a thousand IDs to local and foreign media, where only 40 are allowed inside the session hall. The rest watched proceedings in three media rooms. Private individuals queued up for 175 tickets issued daily. Although no one expects a line by 5 a.m. as experienced on variety and competitive formats, Malacañang has stated its hope the masa will watch, listen to both sides and make their own judgments on the case. It is also helpful to tune in to Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez daily on DZMM Teleradyo as they help analyze proceedings and translate these into layman’s terms.

Hero of the hour was Enrile, ready and prepared to do his job. Those expecting to stay till 8 p.m. were happily surprised. In addition, sobriety was the rule of the day (read “boredom” to some). There was no grandstanding on the floor. It was the antithesis of Erap’s impeachment circus although we confess to having missed the presence of wildfire Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago and indefatigable beauty Loren Legarda. Minority leader Vicente Sotto III stated that March 23 completion of the trial was expected based on the first day proceedings.

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