MANILA, Philippines — Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo assured fans of the hit Wattpad series The Rain In España, authored by Gwy Saludes, that they will do their best in portraying the lead characters as Kalix and Luna, respectively, in the TV adaptation. It will be directed by Theodore Capistrano Boborol (Finally Found Someone, Vince and Kath and James and Just The Way You Are) and aired on Viva TV.
Marco acknowledged during the cast reveal media conference held recently that “there will always be people who would agree and disagree who was cast and (were) the talents.”
“On my part, I just wanna let you know that I really studied the book. I really loved it… I will do my best. And I’m sure we (with Heaven) will both will,” he declared when asked for a comment on the netizens’ reactions to their being cast as leads in the series.
The casting decision didn’t come only from the bosses of Viva but also from the writer herself, Marco added. He asked the fans to support the decision of Gwy, “Let’s all help each other in this. Trust us and trust the writer itself.”
Even Heaven promised viewers that they “can do it.” “While on my way here (media conference), nakita ko na yung live and how some of the people reacted, like (it’s) not really good, let’s just say that. Siyempre nalungkot pero parang ako, ‘This is going to be a challenge.’ Ang tingin ko sa challenge, gusto kong ipakita na… I can do it. We can do it. The cast can do it.”
“I said to myself, bakit ako kakabahan nandito naman yung director namin na napakagaling. Gwy is here who’s super hands-on,” said Heaven who added that she and her castmates even did workshops together for the adaptation.
“Binigay talaga namin lahat… (What I feel is) more like excitement, maganda siya actually… We can do this, guys. It’s gonna be awesome,” she added.
Prior to this team-up, the two were former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB): Lucky 7 housemates, who became “close” while inside the yellow house in 2016.
They were teased by members of the media because of their sweet banter when answering questions during the presscon.
Marco was “shocked” when he first learned that Heaven was going to be his co-lead. ‘Direk Ted knows I was like, ‘Direk Ted, Heaven? Are you sure?’”
Heaven interjected, “Bakit kakaiba yan?’” Marco replied, “No, no, no, I was like I was really happy when I heard. ‘Coz it’s always kinda hard working with someone (new onscreen partner), working on that chemistry (and) working on that comfortability. But when I know it was you, I know it’s gonna be easy.”
The actress asked, “Why?” Marco said, “I don’t know.”
When queried if they became an official couple inside the PBB house, Heaven turned to the actor, “Naging tayo ba (laughs)?”
“We can just confirm that there was a lot of emotions but anything official, but yeah… unless you took it differently. Did you? No, no, we didn’t get together but definitely (there) was a lot going on,” clarified Marco.
“Wala po talaga,” reaffirmed Heaven.
While talking further about the extent of the “emotions” they were referring to, Heaven took a deep sigh and said, “Siguro hindi kami nahirapan sa film (and) I think that says a lot. When we saw each other after six years, that felt like home. So, close to my heart si Marco. We also talked after PBB and we said to each other that we are going to take care of each other.”
“We made a promise actually,” revealed Marco. “As soon as we saw each other, (I was like) I was gonna take it slow and by slow, I mean if you don’t see somebody for six years, you have your space. But there was no space (between us). There was no need for space. It was just like six years never happened and that was really the good thing.
“As soon as we saw each other, I think the very first week, we met up often, we hung out, we just made a promise to each other that if we’re gonna keep working together, to really take care of each other this time and make it right,” he added.
“There’s a saying na ‘pag nagkasama kayo ng isang babae sa isang bahay, makikilala mo na rin siya. And I feel like even it’s with other people, I saw the real her (and) not the ones that other people talked about,” he told The STAR.
Both wished that their love team would last long.
“Let’s just not drop names, but with all the love teams I’ve had, honestly, I’m really happy with this one ‘coz it’s not hard, no stress, just happy. One boo, no ex. It’s a saying,” shared Marco.
The cast members also include Aubrey Caraan (Sam), Francis Magundayao (Miguel), Gab Lagman (Sevi), Bea Binene (Via), Frost Sandoval (Leo), Gabby Padilla (Amethyst), Nicole Omillo (Kierra), Krissha Viaje (Yanna) and Andre Yllana (Adonis). The creative producer of the 10-part romantic-comedy series, set to be released next year, is Chynna Ortaleza and the music director is her husband Kean Cipriano.