Romnick, Elijah topbill comeback ‘MMK’ episode on Sofronio Vasquez
MANILA, Philippines — After nearly three years off the air, the country’s longest-running drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK),” hosted by Charo Santos-Concio, is officially back. It premiered on iWantTFC on April 24 and will start showing on A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live and Kapamilya Channel today.
For its pilot episode, the limited series tells the life story of “The Voice USA” 2024 champion Sofronio Vasquez III. Elijah Canlas plays the role of the singer, while Romnick Sarmenta portrays his father.
Interestingly, it’s a full-circle moment for both actors to be part of the returning “MMK’s” opening salvo.
“I remember stuff and it’s one of those that stood out — maybe because I also enjoyed the script immensely and I loved Tito Robert,” said Romnick, referring to the late veteran actor Robert Arevalo, who played his father in the very first “MMK” episode more than three decades ago.
“In fact, he was my ninong in my previous marriage. There are some people you become very fond of and get close to, that you want them to be part of your personal life. So doing that with Ninong Robert at that time was just a gift.”
Elijah, on the other hand, shared that the last acting project he did just before the pandemic was supposed to be for the show.
“The last thing I shot before the pandemic was an ‘MMK’ episode. Hindi rin natuloy, but it was about the Taal eruptions. We did one day of filming then the lockdown happened. So now, to be given the chance to be in the pilot of ‘MMK,’ super na-enjoy ko talaga.”
Starring in the episode that kicks off the revived “MMK” — a program that carries so much history with Filipino viewers — naturally comes with pressure.
“It’s always, always naman, when you’re told it’s the pilot episode, nandun yung kaba. Because if it doesn’t work, it’s also your fault. ‘Di ba, hindi maganda yung ginawa mo?” Romnick said.
According to him, he and others who had been part of the show had quietly hoped for its comeback when it was cancelled late 2022 following the non-renewal of the Kapamilya network’s broadcast franchise.
“Actually, magpapakapal ako ng mukha at sasagutin ko yung tanong mo kay Miss Charo (Santos). We were the ones who manifested it (the return), kaming mga gumawa ng ‘MMK,’ yun lagi naming sinasabi, ‘Sayang ‘yun.’
“Because we felt it was a way of honoring the stories of our televiewers. Because it’s their stories. Paminsan-minsan, gumagawa kami ng istorya tungkol sa mga kilalang tao, pero madalas, buhay nila yung kinukuwento nila.”
Romnick continued, “As an artist, I’ve always felt there are so many great stories out there because so many people are living them. Kailangan silang marinig, kailangan silang makita. With every episode, you learn something.
“And that’s the value of the show — the lessons you get, the advice of Miss Charo, right? It allows people to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Sayang kung mawawala yung ganoong klaseng programa.
“Hindi nga ako matapos ng pasasalamat sa Diyos kasi ganun, ‘di ba?’ I mean, siguro kung magyayabang ako, pwede kong sabihin nag-pilot ako ng dalawang beses for ‘MMK.’ But it’s an honor, a privilege and a blessing.”
Elijah also admitted to feeling the pressure. “‘MMK’ is part of the zeitgeist of this country, of our cultural identity. It’s so iconic that when I was told I was going to do this, I prepared right away,” he revealed.
“First time ko rin gumanap ng isang taong buhay pa, because the other roles I’ve done were historical figures. At least now, I had a reference. I got to interview Sofronio, learn more about him and his story. We hope we’ve given it justice.”
His biggest concern? The singing parts. Elijah is a recording artist who mainly dabbles in hip-hop, but singing Sofronio’s signature songs posed a much bigger challenge.
“Actually, that was my first question when I accepted it. I asked if it’s OK that I can’t sing like him. I can sing, but not like that. They said it’s OK. When I read the script, there were two songs there, which I had to sing, buti na lang they were within my range,” he said.
Preparation also meant understanding Sofronio’s personality behind the scenes. “It was just getting to know his temperament as a person, without the camera. All I could do was research the appearances he had. Yung Kumu live niya during the pandemic, ang hirap hanapin, pero kasama rin sa kwento yun.”
Luckily, Sofronio was some hands-on in helping Elijah get into character. “Salamat sa production; there’s a Bisaya song and I’m not Bisaya, so they asked Sofronio to record it himself and he became my vocal coach,” said Elijah.
It was also heartwarming for the young actor to find out that he was Sofronio’s top pick to essay him on screen.
Elijah recalled his reaction when he first learned about it from his mom. “Nakakakilig naman! And when his handler said that he really wanted me to do it, na-pressure talaga ako. Because I can’t sing the way he sings. But of course, there’s more to his story than his singing. That’s what we explored in the episode.”
- Latest
- Trending
