Boots reboots ‘Lola Basyang’

RODRIGO. This well-loved granny is into social media.

“Ang Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang” was a radio favorite in the ’50s, starring Luz Fernandez as the beloved storyteller. Sampaguita Pictures later adapted it into a movie, with Rosa Mia in the title role. This was later revived by Regal Films in a movie starring Chichay.

Perci Intalan and Jun Lana are now producing it for TV5, with Boots Anson-Rodrigo as the modern Lola B.com. At the TV series’ launch held at Sampaguita Gardens recently, the veteran actress revealed the changes in her character: “She doesn’t wear eyeglasses, because she has had her cataract fixed. She’s now a blogger and has e-mail, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts!”

Before the project was offered to Boots, the actress took a month-long course in Computer Science at the Ateneo, where she used to teach Mass Communication subjects. Now, she shares her producers’ desire to cultivate Filipino values and instill them into selfie-using modern technology.

Directed by Intalan, the pilot episode starred Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Maria Makiling, followed by stories about the magic flute (featuring Vin Abrenica, on July 18), “Rosa Mystika” and “Ang Prinsepeng Mapaghanap,” with child actor Yogo Singh as a spoiled brat.