‘Transition’ series off to a good start

“HAWAK-KAMAY” cast (from left): Iza Calzado, Andrea Brillantes, Zaijian Jaranilla, Piolo Pascual, Xyriel Manabat, Yesha Camile and Nikki Gil

The first telecast of “Hawak-Kamay” on July 21 was an upbeat viewing experience for us, because the new series started its storytelling in the present tense, unlike many other local drama series, which just love to “start at the very beginning” (as the song goes)—two, even three, generations in the past to sluggishly establish the roots of the central conflicts that finally come to a head today!

Thank goodness, no such “delaying tactics” are evident in “Hawak-Kamay,” except for a few briskly executed flashbacks, so we’re immediately connected to the key plot line about an emotionally troubled musician (Piolo Pascual), whose career hasn’t gotten anywhere, and his agreeing to play surrogate dad to three orphans (Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat and new child performer Yesha Camile).

Win-win situation

We figure that, in the course of the “inspiring” show’s storytelling, Piolo’s shiftless character will find himself as he helps the three foundlings “fill in the blanks” in their sad, young lives—a “win-win” situation all around!

If the initial telecast is any indication, viewers are in good hands. We get this feeling due to the briskness with which the story is being made to unfold, and from the child actors’ focused and felt portrayals.

Piolo’s drunken scene early on the show was too predictably played (hic!), but other than that, he did well.

It’s also interesting to see that, despite his already awkward transition to “tweenhood,” Zaijian is still effectively vulnerable here as the kids’ kuya figure, and Xyriel is at her best.

As for the little new kid on the teleserye block, Yesha Camile, she’s a find—a cute little girl who acts naturally and wins our hearts without even trying, as most child performers in these parts do. Let’s hope that she won’t go porma and pa-cute on us even as her exposure in this teleserye makes her more popular in the weeks or months to come.

“Hawak-Kamay” can also be seen as a “transition” series for Piolo, who’s in his late 30s and needs to figure out his growth curve as a performer once he reaches the big 4-0.

The fact that he’s remained popular is a tribute to his quiet charisma, but there’s no denying the fact his generally “underrated” portrayals through the years have established a less than dynamic and exciting screen image for him.

A sequence in the series’ first telecast showed him being punched by a toughie— and he didn’t hit back. That low-smolder and pacifist reaction is “very Piolo”—but we wish that, in future telecasts, the actor will come up with more unexpectedly gutsy reactions.

His “streetwise” character in “Hawak-Kamay” would definitely allow him to break loose in this regard, and many believable motivations can be thought up to push the “loser” to fight back—if only for the sake of his defenseless wards. Let’s hope that Piolo takes advantage of this opportunity to reveal another, rawer side to his performing persona, so he can surprise us all—himself included!