Gwy Saludes Author of University Series "The Rain in España"

A couple years ago, I was scrolling on fandom Twitter posts when I suddenly found one that seemed to be a story. I went on opened the consecutive Tweets and saw how people have been reading it, getting obsessed, but no one knew back then that it was a 12 year old girl who wrote these things. Now, we finally got to meet the person who started it all. She's Gwy Saludes, a very talented writer and artist under OC Records.

Clad in a preppy shirt, this young lady is now 22 and taking up Legal Management at Ateneo de Manila University. Gwy says "It's about campus life, starting from a Twitter series which I likened to big 4 universities. When "Along Espana" became popular, I wanted to do a longer version of it hence the University series. Even then, there were a lot of people who took interest in it and wanted to know about the culture being in these schools. "The Rain in España" was made when I was already in college. It was all about my experiences, my friends and people around me during that time. It was in Wattpad when I started these all, but really blew up when I wrote book 3. I have 6 books in this series which includes "The Rain in España", "Safe Skies, Archer", then "Chasing in the Wild!", "Avenues of the Diamond", "Golden Scenery of Tomorrow", and "Our Yesterday's Escape". 

When asked about having her work become a series on television, she says "I'm very happy but at the same time, there is pressure because I know, there's a lot of people who are waiting for it especially the ones who read the books. I know they have a lot of expectations, I need to surpass this one when it gets shown when it gets adapted for TV. I act as a consultant for the show, I'm also very involved with the casting. I need to read and check the script, they listen to me if I wanted things to be changed since this is very collaborative." 

"The adaptation though does not include everybody else's thought bubble. We are a team and we need to meet in the middle for any decision. From auditions, to script reading, we really saw Marco and Heaven fit the role. The plot is very close to the book, you need to look at the value of friendship, love, academics, balancing it. Even if you don't read the book, you'll get to understand the story. It's up to you if you get hooked in the books, I've went twice while they were making the film."

Here's the rest of our chat with her over lunch a few days ago:

You may now stream "The Rain in España" on Viva One or watch it every Sundays on TV5 at 4PM. She also said that the next book might be coming real soon so if you haven't subscribed yet, you better do! Download the app on Google Play today!

THE RAIN IN ESPANA to be Shown on TV5

I've seen much talk about this on Twitter and an online novel platform a few months ago. When they were already rolling and announcement of the cast was already done, I am glad how they chose Marco Gallo for the role of Kalix and Heaven Peraleho for the role of Luna. This is first and foremost, a love story. Telling that story from the book to the screen is going to be a hard one and it needs to come across the same way if they want to succeed.

The show will premiere on May 14 at 4PM (and Sundays thereafter) on TV5 and their other platforms, and will have 10 episodes to make sure it translates to the audience how hard it is to balance school, family, love and wished career these days. Things will certainly be complicated once the part of infidelity will be shown, so make sure you watch out what caused it and how it would turn out in the show.

Rain in España has shown a lot of promise in Viva One so having this be on free to air and digital TV will have an entirely new audience to please. Writer Gwy Saludes (who looks so young btw!) is also involved as a creative consultant, so it'll be good to see how it would strictly follow the story line, and perhaps, the success that comes with that. This is also directed by Theodore Boborol who's got several successful movies on his belt, so we do expect this to be told excellently like his other projects.  

Aside from the two stars, the show also includes Gab Lagman, Bea Binene, Krissha Viaje, Nicole Omillo, Aubrey Caraan, Gabby Padilla, Andre Yllana, Frost Sandoval and Francis Magundayao. For more about this project, head on to TV5's social channels and see why people are raving the Rain in Espana.

100 Toys to Heaven

Guys, play this first! :)

You and I have been watching this series for quite some time now. In fact, today marks the last day of 100 days to heaven. Your favorite Ana Manalastas story will cease to exist in primetime television. I have seen people cry, laugh and get excited on their family's adventures. I spent a lot of time following where the story will end up and I'm quite sad that it is ending.

You probably also have seen that they have been asking for toy donations these past few weeks in an activity titled 100 Toys to Heaven. I witnessed a couple of days ago this gift giving activity and I'm so excited to share this experience with you. Take a look!

100 TOYS TO HEAVEN!

This day's recipients were from my old school =) , Kamuning Elementary School

Then Ms Coney Reyes arrived. It's my first time to see her this close!

The kids were so excited to receive their toys! ☺

Xyril Manabat also was there to see the kids! She's good in the series eh?!

Ms Coney Reyes says Xyril is so sweet, she always gives her something before taping an episode, and on this last day she gave her a home made card! Quite pretty!

Now that just made my heart melt.... I love seeing kids this happy!

Let's watch the last episode of 100 days to heaven later guys! Tune in to ABS CBN!

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