‘Pangako’ leads’ portrayals are works in progress

DANIEL Padilla bulked up for his first young adult role
with partner Kathryn Bernardo.

When it was first announced that the 2015 remake of the hit teleserye “Pangako sa ’Yo,” would top-bill Jodi Sta. Maria as the über-vengeful Amor Powers (originally played by Eula Valdes), and that Angelica Panganiban would portray her rival, Claudia Buenavista (after Jean Garcia), we admired the new production’s casters for their daring—but feared that their choice could turn out to be too extremely unconventional and audacious.

After all, Jodi had just come from another hit series, “Be Careful With My Heart,” where she was the very soul of sweetness and light! Would she have it in her to play the by-now-iconic super-virago in the drama series, who’s the very soul-lessness of hate, anger and retribution—to the max?

As for Angelica, she too has been given a tough thespic row to hoe, because she’s playing the mother of a young man, no longer a callow adolescent or teen, portrayed by Daniel Padilla, who’s aged and bulked up more now—when she’s still in her late 20s? Yes, she’s proven herself to be a versatile actress, but there are limits—or are there?

Daunting

JODI Sta. Maria’s light physical frame and thin voice are limitations that need to be worked on.

So, as the new “Pangako” show took its sweet time fluffing and plumping up its back story, we waited antsily for “the proof of the pudding” in Jodi and Angelica’s approaching thespic tests, as the “maturing” Amor and Claudia. Would they be up to the daunting challenge?

The situation wasn’t made easier by “somebody’s” ill-advised move a couple of weeks ago to “push up” viewers’ anticipation for and excitement over the new production—by replaying the original Amor’s performance of the key scene in which the “victimized” young woman was transformed from “sweet” to “vengeful.” Eula really went to town with all the hissing hate she could muster.

Worst of all, when the seething and screaming scene was restaged in the new version, with Jodi stepping into Amor’s tight shoe, it was again unwisely decided to play it exactly like the original, with Jodi doing her livid best to “rise to the occasion!”

It would have been much better if the “comparison” approach had not been resorted to, because comparisons are, if not automatically odious, usually most unfair to the new performer.

Well, it’s too late to do anything about that now, but we can more productively talk about Jodi’s other scenes as the maturing Amor to date:

ANGELICA Panganiban is styled to look matronly, but is still too young.

Jaded cynicism

First, we should credit her appearance and projection, from sweet and gauche to sophisticated, wealthy, powerful and fully focused on rage and retribution. But, effective “externals” alone aren’t enough to make up for the actress’ relative lack of emotional heft and hubris—and her light physical frame and relatively thin voice are other limitations that also need to be worked on while there’s still time.

As for Angelica as a maturing woman and Daniel’s mother, she’s styled to look more matronly, but is still too young to believably pull off the ruse—despite her best efforts to add “texture” and “jaded cynicism” to her portrayal.

Despite these hedging notes, we hope that Jodi and Angelica can still get their “maturing” acts together before the series peaks—because it’ll be a real viewing treat to see them rise up to “extreme” expectations—with full, believable thespic force and fury!