Some thespic comebacks are meant to be for keeps
A strong comeback to TV acting was made last month by former teen star Romnick Sarmenta, who was given an attention-calling role as Daniel Padilla’s father in the new fantasy drama-action series, “La Luna Sangre.”
Even when he was a young fave, Romnick had proven himself to be a good actor in many Seiko Films production.
So, when he stopped acting in adulthood, it felt like a waste of talent that should have been further developed and allowed to mature.
Therefore, when he registered so strongly in “La Luna Sangre,” we felt gratified.
Sadly, however, it turned out that the character he played wasn’t supposed to be around for very long, only in Daniel Padilla’s childhood years.
So, he died all too soon, and we “mourned” not just the character’s abrupt departure, but also the actor’s abridged comeback.
But, not to worry: Late last month, we enjoyed another portrayal by Romnick again, this time on Brillante Ma Mendoza’s monthly drama special, “Anak,” on TV5. This time around, the now mature actor essayed a lead role, so there was much more to his performance for viewers to savor.
Even better, Romnick costarred in the drama special with his longtime “reel and real life” partner, Harlene Bautista, a worthy actress in her own right.
It was a real pleasure seeing both of them performing so well and copacetically together, and we hope to see them in other projects again soon.
The “Anak” drama was made even more choice by Mendoza’s “driving-force” involvement in it as producer-director.
His focused and felt handling enhanced his lead players’ portrayals and made them even more acutely pertinent and insightful .
Insight really was the name of the special’s thespic and thematic game and viewing experience, because the drama went to the heart of many couples’ elemental need to have children, so they can discover and express a deeper kind of love.
Romnick and Harlene played a childless couple who were told by friends that they could be helped “miraculously” by praying to the fertility and fecundity-enhancing Virgin of Obando.
Overcoming his initial reticence, Romnick’s character finally agreed to dance for the Virgin’s intercession. And, what do you know? Harlene did get pregnant, and they were both overjoyed!
However, due to medical problems in maturity, Harlene had a very difficult pregnancy, so there were times when even her life was in danger.
Still, they both prayed and persisted, until they were indeed blessed with the baby they’d been yearning for.
The special’s seamless directing and its leads’ felt portrayals made it a truly rewarding viewing experience. Viewers fully empathized with the couple’s harrowing difficulties.
In addition, the drama’s thematic point about the elemental human need to have children to love and cherish was vividly vivified.
We’ll be watching Mendoza’s next TV5 drama special this month, and hope to see Romnick and Harlene acting together or separately on TV again, real soon. Some thespic comebacks are meant to be for keeps!
