TV5 first local network to work with HK Disney

“THE MAGIC in You” stars (from left) Mark Neumann, Shaira Mae dela Cruz, Nicole Estrada pose with Minnie Mouse. photo: ARNIEL SERATO

HONG KONG—“This a first for the country,” said Mac Alejandre, director of TV5’s “Wattpad Presents.” Many Filipino productions have come here to Disneyland, but no one got to shoot a TV series.” Alejandre was here for a week to work on the network’s newest show.

ACTORS (from left) Nicole, Shaira and Mark with Wilma Galvante (standing) and Disney’s Shellie May

The series, “The Magic in You,” starts airing April 13. It features TV5’s top love team, Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae dela Cruz.

“It feels good to shoot abroad without hiding from park authorities. We are even allowed to stop the rides if we need to. If an area is too dark for some of the scenes, Disney management turns on the lights for us,” Alejandre told the Inquirer over dinner at Enchanted Garden Restaurant inside the Disney compound on Lantau Island.

Chief content officer Wilma Galvante said Disneyland management contacted TV5 about the project, which is part of the theme park’s yearlong 10th anniversary celebration.

“The network has a long relationship with Hong Kong Disneyland. We even brought the 16 contestants of our reality show ‘Artista Academy’ here in 2012,” said Galvante. “They wanted to drum up the celebration and we proposed to do some shows for them. They liked ‘Wattpad’ and thought it would be good if we shot a series here.” The magazine show “Happy Wife Happy Life” will follow suit.

The story

PINOYS (from left) Yayo Aguila , Shaira, Mark and Nicole PHOTOS BY ARNIEL SERATO

“The Magic in You” is about an ordinary, hardworking girl named Princess Marie (Dela Cruz) who comes to Hong Kong to find work, to help provide for her ailing father. Her dream is shattered when she realizes that she has fallen victim to an illegal recruiter.

“The irony is that [this episode] happens in Disneyland, supposedly the happiest place on earth,” said Alejandre. “While Princess is crying over her misfortune, a guy (Neumann as Basti) captures her on video and uploads it on YouTube. Only hours later, Princess’ best friend Sam (Nicole Estrada) sees the video and locates her. She convinces Princess to stay and look for a real job. Princess begins a relationship with Basti.”

Some conditions

BEHIND the scenes with crew members

Galvante said Disney management gave a few conditions prior to shooting. “Minor ones—for instance, the Disney mascots should just be in the background and the actors (characters) can’t converse with them. It should also be established that the setting is Disneyland but that it shouldn’t be a hard sell.”

Business unit head Camille Montano added that Disney management paid for the weeklong stay of the whole cast and crew. This was also the arrangement when Montano flew in two months ago for an ocular inspection with Dela Cruz and Neumann, who shot the teaser and music video.

“Disney people were very involved because this is their first time to tie up with a Philippine production. They asked for a copy of the script, which we translated to English. They gave suggestions for improvement, and set the shoot dates,” Montano said. She couldn’t say, however, if HK Disneyland had previously worked with other Asian TV networks.

Montano said Neumann and Dela Cruz were perfect for the lead roles. “They look good together. We had been pushing for their love team for months. When we were here two months ago, young girls were asking for snapshots with Mark, and they didn’t even know he was an actor.”

Personal experiences

Dela Cruz said stories featured on “Wattpad Presents” are culled from the writers’ personal experiences. “We’re honored to be giving life to these characters,” said Neumann.

SHAIRA and Mark are joined by a fellow Disneyland visitor.

Dela Cruz, who was among the Top 6 finalists of the reality talent search “Artista Academy,” said she was happy with the projects coming her way. “Because of ‘Wattpad,’ our fan base has grown bigger and we were able to reach the regions. We’re happy that TV5 trusts us.”

Neumann found working abroad “more tiring” than working in Manila. “I can do nothing but sleep when we get back to the hotel. Still, we have not slept enough. Yesterday, I felt a little dizzy while shooting. On the bright side, it’s a lot colder here in Hong Kong than in Manila.”

The “new atmosphere and new experiences” made the trip worthwhile for Estrada. “On our first day, we visited a temple outside Disneyland. We also got to shoot with the beach and mountains as backdrop.”

Yayo Aguila, who plays a guardian in the series, said of her character, “Manang Helen is always ready to give words of encouragement. She tries as much as she can to help Princess overcome her depression.”

Aguila said she was happy to work on another project with TV5. Her last show with the network was “My Driver Sweet Lover,” in 2010.

Special place

A SCENE with Neumann was shot on a boat.

Alejandre said: “More than the beautiful location, I think it’s what Disneyland stands for that makes it special. The happiest place on earth!”

He said the series will feature several rides “that viewers will be able to connect to a lot of happy memories of their childhood.”

Alejandre added: “Notice that no matter how exhausting it is to walk around the theme park, people are smiling, if not altogether giddy. Every little detail you see here pushes that experience—of the ultimate happy place.”

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