TV5 makes it more fun in Misibis Bay

The whole world now knows that “It’s more fun in the Philippines”  thanks to the iconic tourism campaign that has utilized all forms of media to promote the best of the Philippines and the fun-loving Filipino people. From viral social media memes to the ubiquitous side-door ads in London taxicabs, to posters on the glass panels in Toronto, Canada, to stores selling Asian/Filipino foods around the globe, the country invites the world to experience the fun and be awed by our wondrous islands with its myriad of attractions and crowds of cheerful faces.

The campaign succeeded in getting the message across the world, and the world has responded with some 4.3 million tourists visiting the country in 2012, a nine-percent increase from tourism generated in 2011 based on Department of Tourism (DOT) data. What’s more encouraging is the greater number of Filipinos who have learned to appreciate the unique beauty of the Philippines and are now ever so enthusiastic to explore the countless wonders of their own country.

It is in this spirit that TV5 has expanded its production reach to showcase the country’s most exciting and enticing tourism destinations. The network started with the reality show Boracay Bodies, which aired over the summer and featured the world-renowned island of Boracay in all its white-sand-and-crystal-clear-water glory. Fresh from the success of Boracay Bodies, the Kapatid network once again highlights a must-see tourist destination, this time with the Bicol Region’s pristine resort paradise of Misibis Bay as the main setting. The new show, which goes by the same title as the name of the tourist location it promotes, will be a 30-day primetime drama series featuring a casting ensemble of the industry’s highly-acclaimed actors and a new breed of talents set to make a mark as this generation’s finest artists.

Premiering tonight, TV5’s Misibis Bay is dubbed as a sexy drama that is bound to make primetime viewing sizzle not just with its actors’ steamy and daring scenes but also with its gripping story of love, betrayal and revenge. The drama series gives the biggest break to TV5’s primetime princess Ritz Azul, who takes on the challenging lead role of the naïve-turned-sultry character Maita Ramirez, a hapless young lass who is desperate to escape her miserable life but only gets herself entangled in the deceitful world of the rich when she marries an older businessman (played by the Philippines’ premier drama king Christopher de Leon).

Completing Misibis Bay’s stellar cast are Star Awards and FAMAS Lifetime Achievement awardee Boots Anson-Roa and Ms. Body Beautiful Vivian Velez, along with hunk model-actor Daniel Matsunaga, Artista Academy grand winner Vin Abrenica, Victor Silayan, Megan Young, Andrea del Rosario, Lucky Mercado, Malak So Shdifat and Luke Jickain.

“Ritz Azul is one of our homegrown talents, one of our princesses. Undoubtedly, she deserves this break because she is focused on making it big (in the industry). TV5 is, therefore, dedicated to bringing out the best in her,” shared TV5 business unit manager Marge Natividad. â€œAt the age of 19, this has been a challenging moment for Ritz in her career as her role demands her to be more daring. A self-confessed probinsyana and manang, she has also learned more about herself as she imbibes the character of Maita. Every steamy scene was delicately handled by our director, Monti Parungao, and he makes sure that Ritz is taken care of in the blocking and in how she should act out specific scenes. We’re very conscious of how MTRCB will review this series and we make sure that we will be in a category where we can cater to our target audience. Every scene is done in good taste, giving a new dimension to what a sexy drama series should be.”

Natividad also disclosed that the idea of doing a drama series promoting Misibis Bay indeed came in the wake of the airing of the reality show Boracay Bodies. “Paul Garcia, the marketing supervisor of Misibis Bay, called Helga Krapf (one of the contestants of Boracay Bodies) and asked if we could explore a possible partnership with them. We discussed this with our creative team, which is headed by Elmer Gatchalian, and they came up with a concept that is tailored fit for the location. We presented it and got management’s approval to start doing the project. Originally, it was meant to be a weekly mini-series that would air for six weeks but during our brainstorming session, Mr. Perci Intalan, our head of creative and entertainment production, was convinced that it deserves to air daily on primetime.  It’s actually management’s decision that we air Misibis Bay for only 30 days so as to maintain a fast-paced story that would keep viewers from missing any episode.”

Through Misibis Bay the drama series, TV5 aims to promote the amazing Bicol landscape as a premier resort destination. It is to be noted that Bicol’s Misibis Bay recently garnered worldwide international publicity when Hollywood star Zach Efron visited the resort-paradise as one of the highlights of his trip to the Philippines. Well, the villa where Efron stayed in Misibis Bay is the very same villa used as Ritz and Christopher’s honeymoon room in the TV5 drama series.

This is just one of the many things to look forward to when Misibis Bay airs on TV5’s primetime starting tonight. By watching the series, you not only get hooked on the compelling drama and competent portrayal of the industry’s finest actors, you also get mesmerized by the awe-inspiring sceneries and pristine beauty of Misibis Bay that would make you want to visit the luxurious tropical paradise sometime soon. The show not only emphasizes how much more fun it is in Misibis Bay, it also confirms that the best of the country’s breathtaking sceneries and natural wonders can be seen on TV5.