Ms. Roselle Monteverde and Mother Lily Monteverde. Image: Regal Entertainment, Inc.
If ever there is such a thing as a “forbidden door” in showbiz, let me be the first one to use that term and quote it, of course, because it came from me who made that analysis, realization, and discovered it happening. Although, this might be the very first time that this term has been used in this sense, manner and reason. For me, the “opening of the forbidden door” is being able to openly, publicly and legitimately co-exist with another major entertainment company within its own world.
And, nowhere in recent memory in showbiz has this breakthrough been more apparent than Regal renewing, strengthening and solidifying its working relationship with GMA Network that has existed for decades, but not quite in this manner wherein you have two high-rating Regal-produced programs in “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” and “Regal Studio Presents” all appearing in one network, which is, of course, GMA Network.
Indeed, when we are at our most down, the future seems bleak and uncertain because of the pandemic, and that, indeed, the joining of forces of two major entertainment companies can only become possible. Now, this is where viewers at home can borrow a line from the song of the legendary singer, Billy Ocean, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” This is evident in the renewed working relationship between Regal Entertainment, Inc. headed by “The Living Legend” Mother Lily Monteverde, Ms. Roselle Monteverde, Mr. Dondon Monteverde, Joey Javier Reyes, etc. and GMA Network headed by Atty. Felipe Gozon and Atty. Annette Gozon, etc.. It makes complete sense. Why so? Since most of the time, we are at home, unless you have to go out for obvious reasons and you report to an office job, for everyone else, watching television is still the number one avenue to get your entertainment. There are other reasons, as well, but this is not a thesis paper.
Emphasis on the depth of talent
The influx of Regal Babies, freelance talents, GMA Network Artist Center Talents and GMA Network Kapuso Actors is almost unfathomable, that this much talent — young, upcoming, raw, freelancers, established, veteran and legendary actors — can happen. Indeed, as I have said many times ago, to describe this awesome time, we are experiencing this now in showbiz because Regal Entertainment, Inc. and GMA Network are operating together again. This never ceases to amaze me, still to this day, since it was formally announced a few months ago.
That proverbial “forbidden door” was not only opened, but it was sure kicked out of its screws and hinges, and because of this almost dreamlike feat for viewers at home, the possibilities, combinations, and numerous ways to have the respective talent rosters of both media giants are almost endless. In return, that makes it unpredictable to a degree, which only raises the excitement level of viewers at home in what to expect, and more importantly, who to see. This rings especially true in the multi-genre self-contained episodic series called “Regal Studio Presents.”
To quote what I have said numerous times in describing “Regal Studio Presents,” it is a mixed bag because you never know what you will get. But one thing for sure is you are in for quality entertainment that can only be delivered by Regal Entertainment, Inc. Now, this time, more than ever, millions of Filipino people can see, are reminded, and are firmly convinced behind the machinery of Regal, that it really works and it is pushing the boundaries more than ever as to what exactly viewers at home can expect, because that bar of the standard has been raised exponentially, timely if you ask me, and deservingly. So, it’s meant to happen at this point. Why so? For the entertainment industry to continue to survive, and not only showbiz because that can be an altogether different world of its own; but the entertainment industry also had to evolve and this is one way of doing it, for sure, they did it!
Image: Regal Entertainment, Inc. and GMA Network
A continuing legacy
Regarding “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune,” this is the equivalent of “Dynasty” in the Philippines; for those who can remember that legendary prime time television soap opera from the 1980s, starring the equally legendary prime time soap opera actor, Joan Collins, you will know why I made that comparison. Now, to be clear, the primetime television adaptation of the Mano Po series of movies is not a direct continuation of the seven movies or even a derivative of it. But it exists within its world.
As we have seen in the episodes that have aired, a lot of the ideas, concepts, philosophies and strengths of the “Mano Po” series of movies can be found in this television adaptation. And it has delivered as a constant high-rating program in its primetime slot nightly, on weeknights of GMA Network. This trademarked intellectual property of Regal Entertainment, Inc., which first found its enduring popularity as a series of seven movies from Regal more than 20 years ago, has found its niche, its audience, its appeal, and most of all, its home in GMA Network, in its brand-new GMA Telebabad time slot of 8:50 p.m., that begun on Feb. 7, 2022. A perfect partnership for the two major entertainment companies.
“Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” is a showcase of everything from the production, storylines, acting, etc. It is also heavy, diverse and generational regarding star power in its smart casting choices.
Truly, for me, the standout stars of the program are none other than the following: Barbie Forteza, Casie Banks, Rob Gomez, Dustin Yu, Sunshine Cruz, David Licauco, Ms. Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, and the legendary Ms. Boots Anson-Roa. They are the eight anchors to this show and all play a big role in its becoming a big hit on GMA Network. They all have their respective strengths, personality traits and qualities as actors, that have perfectly complimented each other and have brought out the best of each other, as seen in the scenes that any of the eight in any combination are seen in.
The “forbidden door” is now gone, hopefully for good via the two Regal-themed programs on GMA Network “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” and “Regal Studio Presents.” Worlds have merged, universes have crossed, realities have blurred, and what once seemed impossible is now a fact. This is a perfect example of what happens when everyone comes together. There are no more boundaries, restrictions, and limitations as to what happens, and the winner here is every single person watching at home. They are you, me, and everyone else at home right at this very moment.
Now, let us all hope that the “forbidden door” will never be shut again because as I have said numerous times in the previously held “Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune” digicon, “We need this!” JB
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