A different kind of BFF story

MANILA, Philippines - “She is not some child’s imaginary friend. She is a ghost,” says program manager Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria of the other child character in the Kapuso original drama series titled My BFF. That cheerful “invisible” friend named Chelsea will be played by Jillian Ward, while the introvert normal child Rachel is Mona Louise Rey.

The pre-primetime soap explores that men, regardless of age, are bound to forge friendships and challenged to make them time-tested. Among the “friendly” labels one knows such as acquaintance and loved one, it’s BFF (Best Friend Forever) which will serve as the thrust of the latest GMA 7 family drama. My BFF premieres today.  

“This is more true-to-life (in a way) and people can relate to,” adds Nokom-Dedicatoria, although the series has hints of comedy and fantasy. “For example, My Love from the Star. It’s drama but there’s a plus one in it. That’s fantasy and it’s in the person of the alien character. However, there still remains the aspiration of people to find love.”

In the case of My BFF, the characters are in search of belongingness and acceptance. It also tries to define what family means at present.  

“It’s the time where all family members are at home,” says Nokom-Dedicatoria of My BFF timeslot, which is set before 24 Oras. “The kids want that there’s fantasy in the family drama. (Aside from that,) majority of Filipinos believe in ghosts. The audience still looks for family entertainment with drama and fantasy. The first week will be tear-jerking and heart-warming.”

Touching the audience’s heart is Kapuso kid talents Jillian and Mona Louise, who are friends in real life and find time to play on the set. The two are excited about the project because Jillian’s Chelsea is somewhat like Casper the friendly ghost to Mona’s Rachel, who has a third eye. This extraordinary friendship between a child and a ghost has not been often told on the small screen.   

The televiewers can also look forward to the balik tambalan of Janno Gibbs and Manilyn Reynes. They worked as showbiz wannabes in the now-defunct That’s Entertainment and made movies as love team. Both had their own share of recording and acting career.

“I was happy because it’s been a long time since we worked together,” says Manilyn. “This is our first time to work on a soap.”

“I’m very excited,” adds Janno. “We mostly did movies together before and we never did a regular TV show then.”

My BFF will also bring kilig moments, especially to those who followed Manilyn and Janno’s on- and off-screen romance. In the series, they are a couple, experiencing marital problems while raising a family. “Maganda ang kwento ng palabas na ito,” shares Manilyn. “My character Lyn has gone through a lot in life. She has so many issues.”

According to Nokom-Dedicatoria, Manilyn’s Lyn couldn’t handle her emotions and she lets her anger and jealousy get the best of her. “There’s maling hinala (wrong hunch or suspicion). There’s trust issue (between the couple) and there’s friendship issue (between the other characters).”

Since Janno and Manilyn have their own respective families now, everyone is toying the idea of asking their partners (Janno’s wife Bing Loyzaga and Manilyn’s husband Aljon Jimenez) to guest on the show. And the two are onboard with the idea.

Asked about the changing entertainment preference of Kapuso viewers, Nokom-Dedicatoria replies, “They sometimes prefer straight drama or drama with a mix of fantasy.” My BFF seems to have it all — the right mix of drama to touch one’s heart and fantasy to tickle one’s imagination.