Wenn: What matters is the show, not the timeslot

MANILA, Philippines - Director Wenn Deramas is about to make televiewers forget about taking siesta or the habit of taking an after-lunch nap as he pitched for his latest TV directorial fantasy-themed series Galema: Anak Ni Zuma to be in the afternoon timeslot.

“I remember when I was presenting this project to the management, I told them that this will keep televiewers wide awake in the afternoon,” says direk Wenn after the presscon for Galema as he brushes off the idea of taking the primetime slot instead. “Besides, it’s no big deal whether they put it in the afternoon or primetime, ang sa akin lang gigisingin ko sila sa pamamagitan ng Galema. I know that they will enjoy this as much as I did during my younger years.”

Without revealing his exact age, Wenn reminisces on his childhood years, particularly those times when he initially felt an undying fascination for stories injected with fantasy. No wonder, he made many a fantasy-themed project appealing to all. His past TV directorial stints like Marina, Kampanerang Kuba, Dyosa and Wako-Wako all turned out well.

He, too, remembers how Zuma, the human snake, caught his interest and got him hooked in front of the silver screen. “I was probably two (years old) when I first saw Zuma,” quips direk Wenn. “Now that I’m 28,” adding in a deadpan manner, “and I have the capacity to tell it to you (via the TV series), then I will do it and all the stories I’ve enjoyed during my younger years.”

Kidding aside, the director shares that it was in 2005 when he first thought of bringing Galema: Anak ni Zuma to the boob tube. But some things happened in between. And it is only now that the TV adaptation of the Jim Fernandez novel serialized in Aliwan komiks has finally come into fruition.

Galema, no doubt, brings back direk Wenn to fantasy-themed shows. “I’ve been doing comedy in movies so kumbaga pahinga lang muna sa pag-gawa ng comedy and besides, when it comes to TV (projects), I am given the opportunity to choose a project that I prefer to do. So after the super heavy drama Kahit Puso’y Masugatan which ran for seven months, I personally brought to ABS the concept about Zuma.”

According to the director, he, too, personally talked to Jim and his family to get the rights to the classic novel. Also to Ben Yalung who directed the movie Anak Ni Zuma. Direk Wenn deems it best to do Galema, the sequel of Zuma, because “when you buy Zuma dalawa yun na magkahiwalay but when you get the rights for Galema bitbit mo si Zuma so on TV, you will see first where Zuma came from and his love story kung paano nabuo si Galema.”

Galema: Anak Ni Zuma is an extraordinary tale about family and love. It will revolve around the life of a good-hearted young lady named Galema (Andi Eigenmann) who was born with twin snakes attached to her neck, a curse that she inherited from her beastly father Zuma.

According to direk Wenn, auditions were held for the Zuma role. UST cager and ramp model Derick Hubalde won the part. “His height (6’3”) and toned physique made him for the role.”

How about for Galema? Direk Wenn says that among the many Kapamilya artists, it is only Andi who possesses all the qualities fit for the role.

Asked what did he find extraordinary in Andi, direk Wenn replies, “Andi was only seven when I first met her on the set with her mom Jaclyn (Jose). Then, I was her first director on TV so I know her capacity as an artist. Galema is not an easy role, e si Andi kahit ano ang ipagawa mo kaya n’ya as proven in her past drama shows. Aside from acting, pasok din ang ganda n’ya.”

The director also defends Andi against her bashers noting that Andi is a good person. “Si Andi anak-anak ko na yan and besides, I can easily discern  the person’s character. Andi admits that her life is not perfect. Meron s’yang mga desisyon na minsan di tama but it doesn’t mean that she’s a bad person.

“All of us are looking for love and happiness in this world so we cannot say that a person is not good if we know nothing about him. So, for me, I know Andi well and I know she’s a good person.”

Just like Andi’s character, direk Wenn stresses that Galema is also misunderstood. “Yung imperfection ni Galema ang cause ng pag-layo ng tao without knowing that she has a good heart. You really can’t judge a person by her looks or talent alone.”

Galema: Anak Ni Zuma premieres today. It also stars Meg Imperial, Matteo Guidicelli, Sunshine Cruz, Sheryl Cruz, Carlos Morales, Divina Valencia and Lito Legaspi.