Carmina Villaroel grateful for faithful marriage to Zoren Legaspi

Carmina Villaroel said she came away from watching the pilot episode of her upcoming psychological drama “The Loyalty Game” feeling even more grateful for her marriage to Zoren Legaspi.

Villaroel made the remark during the talkback session following the series’ advance screening hosted by Prime Video and ABS-CBN Studios on June 29 at a mall in Quezon City.

“For me, after watching the first episode, I was so thankful na wala akong gan’ung feeling kung ano ‘yung feeling ni Ana sa asawa niya,” she said, referring to Janine Gutierrez’s character.

Inspired by the viral “loyalty test” phenomenon on social media, “The Loyalty Game” explores the consequences of betrayal and deception.

Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, the series follows Ana (Gutierrez), who hires a loyalty tester to uncover the truth about her husband, Ben (Jericho Rosales). What begins as a search for answers soon spirals into a dangerous psychological game of secrets and manipulation.

READ: Carmina Villarroel says somebody out to ruin her, family

Villaroel, who plays Imelda, Ana’s mother, noted that the story hits differently because the married couple in the series had already been together for several years.

“Habang pinapanood ko iniisip ko si Zoren. Siguro naman hindi siya ganito, ’di ba? I was just so grateful and thankful because hindi ko na-experience ’yung ganito,” she shared.

Legaspi attended the advance screening alongside their children, Mavy and Cassy, to support Villaroel.

While she hopes other women can experience the same sense of security in their relationships, Villaroel acknowledged that “not all relationships are the same.”

The seasoned actress also weighed in on the show’s “loyalty tester” premise, admitting she only recently learned that such a job exists.

“Let’s not judge. Let’s be kind to one another. It pays to be kind. Hindi natin alam kung ano ’yung pinagdadaanan nila,” she said.

Meanwhile, during the discussion, other cast members also shared their insights on what they hoped women would feel after watching the 14-episode series.

Gutierrez emphasized the importance of trusting one’s instincts, especially in relationships where manipulation and gaslighting may occur.

“I think as a woman, sometimes you’ll be gaslighted. So it’s really important to develop trust in yourself and trust in your intuition,” she said.

“There will come a point in your life where you’ll encounter people who will doubt your thinking. Because of your love, it’s very important to trust your gut and find a love that feels safe,” she added.

Yen Santos, who previously dated actor Paolo Contis, encouraged viewers not to lose hope despite a heartbreak.

“Para sa mga babae, sana hindi kayo mapagod magmahal kahit na paulit-ulit na kayong nasaktan. Maniniwala pa rin kayo na darating at darating ’yung taong para sa inyo. At ’pag dumating ‘yon, don’t lose yourself in love,” she said.

Elisse Joson, meanwhile, who recently announced her separation from actor McCoy de Leon, said she hopes viewers find comfort in seeing that they are not alone in facing life and love struggles.

“I hope that with this show, you’ll be able to feel that you are not alone because other people also feel for you and are experiencing somewhat the same things as you,” she said.

“I hope that you’ll feel the comfort. Other than the scenes that hurt your feelings, that are scary, and all the fear, the comfort that we are all somehow going through the same things together,” added Joson.

“The Loyalty Game” premieres exclusively on Prime Video Philippines on July 3. /ra