Lovi Poe (left) and Benjamin Alves
It’s going to be a “locked-in” Valentine’s Day for the cast of GMA Public Affairs new series “Owe My Love.” And while some of them will be spending the day away without their partners, they believe that this year’s occasion is still bound to be fun and memorable.
“After all, it’s not how you spend it, but who you spend it with,” Lovi said in a virtual conference for the said romantic-comedy series. “Last year was beautiful, because I was with my special someone (Monty Blencowe). But this year’s will be memorable as well, because we will be with the whole team.”
There are other ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day. And technology, she pointed out, is there to help them connect with people outside.
“We will be away from our family and loved ones, so why not just celebrate with friends? You can do virtual meetings, too,” said Lovi, who will be taping with her costars in Bulacan until March. “I can’t ask for anything more here.”
The good news, however, is that Feb. 14 will be a day off. And the cast—which includes Benjamin Alves, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Leo Martinez, Winwyn Marquez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Kiray, Nova Villa and Ruby Rodriguez—are planning to have lunch together.
“Ms Ai promised to cook for us—she has a really good pasta recipe. Kiray always has ayuda delivered, so we never go hungry on the set. It’s going to be great. Love is never lacking here,” Benjamin said. “All of us left people outside, but I’m happy here—we feel like we’re already family. It doesn’t matter if it’s Valentine’s Day.”
Besides, Ben has already foreseen this happening, so he made the most out of his time with his girlfriend, model and influencer Chelsea Robato, before the taping.
“Bumawi ako before our locked-in taping. We went on a vacation last month in Boracay for a couple of days … like a New Year’s and Valentine’s celebration in one. After that, I had to quarantine and then have swab tests in preparation for work,” Benjamin said. “And she has been supportive. After our taping, maybe we can celebrate my birthday (March 31).”
Lovi, on the other hand, spent the holidays in Los Angeles, California, where her British boyfriend is based.
“I felt like that was good enough,” she said.
“Owe My Love,” which airs weeknights on GMA 7 starting Feb. 15, follows the lives of characters Sensen (Lovi) and Dr. Migs (Benjamin), and how debt and love for family brought them together.
Lighthearted
Sensen is a nursing school undergrad who quits her studies and takes on several jobs to keep her family’s finances afloat. Migs is a heart surgeon and a television financial adviser whose father, Lolo Badong (Leo) is suffering from middle-stage dementia.
After a series of unfortunate events, Sensen—who had to pay off her father’s gambling losses and her sick sibling’s hospital bills—found herself indebted to Dr. Migs, who offers a proposition: Sensen takes care of his father as payment. The issue, however, is that Lolo Badong thinks Sensen and Dr. Migs are married, forcing them to pretend that they’re a real couple.
“Ben and I have done horror and drama before, so this one’s very different. The series is lighthearted. Despite the challenges in the characters’ lives, they still try their best to be happy … I can relate to my character, who’s always there for her family through thick and thin. She’s like many of us—we do everything for our families,” she said.
Benjamin echoed Lovi’s sentiments, saying that doing a romantic comedy is a breath of fresh air for both of them.
“I’m glad because the viewers will get to see a different side to us … our more fun, comedic side,” said Benjamin, who has worked with Lovi on the films “Sana Dati” and “Guni-Guni.”
“The show is quite timely because it teaches us financial literacy, which is important, now more than ever … It’s about how we stick together as a family to brave the challenges,” he added.