Legal drama ‘Ipaglaban Mo’ returns this Saturday

Making a comeback on television is famed lawyer Jose Sison, together with his son Jopet Sison to once again empower Filipinos with the knowledge of their legal rights and obligations as the hit legal drama anthology “Ipaglaban Mo” finally returns to ABS-CBN beginning Saturday, June 7.

“Ipaglaban Mo” was one of the top-rating and longest-running programs on TV back in the 90s. Aside from legal advice, the audience loved the program for its compelling dramatization of real-life events. The show was such a hit that the line “Kapag may katwiran, ipaglaban mo” became a popular phrase even until now. “Ipaglaban Mo” was last seen in ABS-CBN in 1998. It even spawned two movie versions, with no less than award-winning Marilou Diaz-Abaya as director.

Lawyer Sison is confident that the viewers will again embrace its newest run. “Hopefully it will become a hit once more so that a lot more of our countrymen will be educated,” he wrote in his column in The Philippine Star.

Every story to be shown in “Ipaglaban Mo” weekly has gone through meticulous supervision by today’s respected directors, which include Congressman Lino Cayetano, Eric Quizon, Ricky Rivero, Rechie del Carmen, Erick Salud and Manny Palo who directed the pilot episode.

For its premiere offering titled “Hindi Ko Sinasadya Yaya,” the show tackles children’s rights and age of discernment through the story of the seven-year-old “RJ” (Izzy Canillo), who accidentally shot dead his nanny “Yaya Miling” (Shamaine Buencamino).

“Micmic” (Michelle Vito), Yaya Miling’s only child, sought justice for her mother, but how can she win her legal battle if the accused was a minor and the crime was an accident? Also joining the cast are Lara Quigaman, James Blanco and Dionne Monsanto.

We had an interview with Congressman Lino Cayetano at the presscon for “Ipaglaban Mo” last May 30 and the director-turned-politician said he was very thankful to ABS-CBN for giving him the chance to stage a TV comeback via the legal drama anthology. His last show on the Kapamilya network was 2012’s “Aryanna” and he admitted missing his work behind the camera.

After his last show, Direk Lino prepared for his foray into politics. He became inactive in showbiz after he won the May elections last year and said he felt good to direct once again. He was able to follow the said program during its glory days and is proud that ABS-CBN tapped him to be a part of its director’s pool. He directed the episode titled “Kailan Mo Ako Mapapatawad” which stars Valerie Concepcion. It is a story of a mother who would do anything for the sake of her child, which led her arrest for being a drug courier to support her son.

“It’s a very touching story which I was able to relate to because I am also a parent myself,” said Direk Lino whose wife gave birth to their firstborn last year.

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Cinemalaya and Golden Screen Awards best actor winner Edgar Allan Guzman (for the indie film “Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me”) doesn’t have a contract with Star Cinema but he is very thankful to the film arm of ABS-CBN because he gets offers to do movies with them. After appearing in a John Lloyd-Angel Locsin starrer last year, Edgar is now in the cast of the comedy “My Illegal Wife” which features Pokwang and Zanjoe Marudo in the lead roles, under the direction of box-office director Tony Y. Reyes. The movie is produced by Skylight Films, the sister company of Star Cinema. In the movie, he plays one of the good friends of Zanjoe.

Edgar is under contract with TV5 but it has been more than a year since his last appearance in a teleserye (“Never Ever Say Goodbye” with Superstar Nora Aunor). A lot of new teleseryes have been coming out in the Kapatid network but sad to say, Edgar has not been given a new acting assignment. His only show in TV5 at the moment is the gag show “Loko Moko Unli.”

“I have been waiting patiently for a project. I’ve been told by my manager Sir Noel (Ferrer) that there is a project forthcoming but I just have to wait. But it has been more than a year,” said Edgar with a worried look on his face when we got to talk to him at the presscon of “My Illegal Wife” on Monday.

Edgar says he just wants to work and he knows he has to be focused on his career, although some people have this impression that his having a girlfriend is more of a distraction than an inspiration. Some rumors surfaced that he is giving his love life priority over work, which the actor denied.

“I have never been remiss in my job as an actor. Whatever commitment it is that I have, I report to it dutifully and do my job diligently. Hindi ako nagpapabaya sa trabaho ko,” said Edgar to defend himself.

When we asked him why he backed out as contestant in “Celebrity Dance Showdown,” he said he is not a good dancer when it comes to cha cha. “Since it is a contest, I know I would lose because I am not really good at dancing cha cha so bakit pa ako sasali? I explained my side to Sir Noel and he understood me naman. I am just being honest and being true to myself. But when it comes to acting, I know that I can deliver,” he added.

Edgar is hoping that before his contract with TV5 expires this year, he’d finally get a new show to keep himself busy. While he has some issues with his manager with regards to the way he has approached his career of late, he says he has taken the initiative in reaching out to his manager to make amends.

“I know my career should be my priority. I know that I have been stubborn in the past but I have learned my lesson. Besides, marami pa akong gustong ma-accomplish in my career. Plus, I want to buy my family a house. I won’t be able to realize that dream of mine if I won’t focus on my career. But I sure hope that TV5 gives me a show to prove my worth,” Edgar said seriously.