New tasks and plot twists weigh down ‘Hawak-Kamay’

PASCUAL. Too mature to go the breathless, “longing-longing” route.

Of late, the “Hawak-Kamay” teleserye has been weighed down by new plot developments and tasks, which impede its otherwise focused storytelling.

First, too many new talents have been added to the cast, from “The Voice Kids” and other talent tilts. Is the show being made a launching pad for ABS-CBN’s new starlets?  A little of that is OK, but too many is just plain—too much.

Adding to the problem is the fact that some of the starlets are relatively raw and untested actors, so their performances are awkward, and bring down the series’ thespic level.

As viewers, we object to professional-level series being made a “training ground” for raw talents, forcing us to endure their learning process. Let them learn away from the cameras and our public purview, please.

Improbable

Other adumbrations further result in “Hawak-Kamay’s” currently unfocused state: Nikki Gil’s character has been made to come back from abroad as an improbable overnight singing sensation, and she’s been given a boyfriend in the person of Ahron Villaflor, who looks like he’s being primed to emerge as a villain.

Since Piolo Pascual’s character used to be Nikki’s beloved, the two guys have clashed, and will come to blows again—that’s par for the teleserye course.

But, what isn’t right is that the series’ “older” “couple to be,” Piolo and Iza Calzado, are also being made to act all gooey and breathless, like the Nikki-Ahron teamup—and, what’s worse, even the “tween” Zaijian-Andrea “crush” relationship!

Shots of all of these loving couples of all ages breathlessly “looking-looking,” “pining-pining” or “wishing-wishing” in a long montage—that’s simply unbearable!

It’s also terribly unfair to Iza, who shouldn’t have to compete with Nikki—a triangular juxtaposition and obligation that makes the older actress look rather silly—and pulls down her stature. Piolo is also too old to be made to do all of this silly “longing-longing” stuff—people, please grow up!

What about Zaijian-Andrea and the show’s new “crush quotient?” At first, we were willing to give it a chance, since it was being introduced subtly and gently. Last Sept. 3, however, there was simply too much of it, and it came off as too icky and sticky—not a good way to go, if the show wants to avoid worrying parents and educators.

Yes, Piolo’s character does advise Zaijian that he’s too young, so he should focus on other things. —Therefore, the show should follow its own lead character’s advice and—lighten up!

It’s good, though, that the series is tackling the topical and “trending” problem of bullying in schools, with Xyriel Manabat’s character being razzed and dissed by some young viragos. However, the little villains’ onslaughts are too predictably presented, so the good move has “cliché” written all over it. Come up with a less kneejerk treatment, please!

Also offputting is the fact that new cast member Lyca Gairanod was recently made to act like Xyriel’s little “fairy” friend, and much too implausibly helped her solve her huge problem—which trivialized the situation. Let’s be real, can we?