Behind The Scenes on GMA's Yagit

We probably didn't know much of these kids a few months ago but look at them now. We've followed them since the auditions and the final screening, but it seems that they've all got the hang of it. They're real deal Kapuso stars now and with the success of GMA's Yagit, their stars are even shining brighter than ever. Stars Jemuell Ventinilla, Judie Dela Cruz, Zymic Jaranilla and Chlaui Malayao was a joy to be with during our visit. They were a little tired of course and we woke them up from a short nap before this interview. They gladly answered some of our questions.

Jemuell wants his character to improve more and he'll have more scenes in the next few months. He wishes to see more of Tomtom's helpfulness and being a good boy. He's not really looking for more because he's got a lot of scenes. He wants people to share more with the less fortunate, more so with people who have all the luxuries in life. If possible he wants to join Bubble Gang or an action film in the future.  Jemuell is also going to regular school so he needs all the help he can get, he knows how hard it is so he's trying his best.

Zymic had his Mom in the series die during a fire, and that meant him being with the other kids more. He also wants more exposure like the other kids, actually, he wants to find another mother for him in the coming days, maybe he'll get Ding to be more interesting. He wants to also get to work with his brother in the future if he's permitted to do so (he's the brother of Zaijan). He also wants kids to pray more and learn from the kids in the show. Zymic also wants to have more time for school because he's a little late when it comes to that, he also has a few special tests because of the nature of his work. 

Chlaui takes it easy, she only wants to have the people in the life of Elisa become good. She doesn't fear them in real life but in the story she's always kidnapped or threatened and she hopes everything becomes better with her Mom and Dad. She wants kids to emulate how to respect elders and be god fearing. Judie's character Jocelyn is still a little bossy but she always is the one who corrects most of them when it comes to good manners, a thing she wants all kids should learn even in a very young age. She would also want to play a superhero if she had the chance to have another project. This is her dream she says and if she's having a hard time, it's the lack of sleep that she's more worried about. 

Yasmien was a delight to talk to. She says that the series have been running for 7 months already. She's extremely happy that they've been requested to last that long, possibly extended. She says "Whatever the success of our show is, it's made me extremely happy, it's the success of all. It would reflect on me, the cast, the network and the people behind it who have been working really hard to make this series. Our efforts, it's all made us realize that we're doing something good especially when we hear that the people like our show, and they appreciate it. That part is priceless. You know, the good thing with kids on a show is that they lighten the mood of the set. We all laugh, we tease each other, we joke around a lot like what you've seen earlier. It's not like when there are only adults on set that we always takes things very seriously. In these instances, I feel like we're the ones that turn into kids for most of it and they don't mature, we're the ones who get to become kids with them. That's what is important, we feel all the people we work with, our set is very light. Rating the kids, I'd give the a 10, although they have a lot of things to learn about showbusiness, they're really doing their best and they come prepared when they go to the set. 

I'd rather not have my kid in show business, because I might want to expose her with the lack of sleep. Maybe commercials would do, where she can take a break when she wants to and less hours. Endorsements have contracts so it's easier. It's the first time she's met my Dad, my husband too. It was a nice experience to be there, to meet my cousins who are in the same age as her. They even taught her a little arabic and it was a totally different experience to be with my family. It's a very happy feeling for them to meet, I couldn't put it into words, I'd cry even just thinking about me, my husband and Ayesha there."

This guy is Kevin Santos. He plays the husband of LJ Reyes' character in the show. He's also the father of the kids who live in the shanties. He's also gotten in and out of prison, he's even got realistic wounds when we visited the set. He says "I'm really super happy because we're going to have a lot of kids to enjoy this. Working with the kids was very fun and you couldn't even consider them newbies now because they work like veterans when they're in the set. They're all my favorites but I do see Chlaui really doing good because of the small things she does, and she's extremely cute at her age. You always say "awwww" so many times even if the scene was simple. I've got a lot of favorite scenes here also, especially when I had to choke a lady, punch a hole in the wall, also the ones with Dolores because I feel she's really like a sister in the series. LJ on the other hand is Super OK! She delivers all the lines well and even our Director is impressed. Direk Gina knows what and how we feel so she does let us do a lot of things when we suggest how to attack the role. It's so light to work in this set because our director makes it a point to be that way." 

I've never interviewed this guy before, because the last time I saw him in person I think was ages ago. He was a kid back then in the other channel and he's done countless movies and shows since then. He's matured really nicely, landing very nice antagonist characters which he does enjoy too. During out interview he says "I play the role of Rex and I've worked with Director Gina Alajar a long time ago in Villa Quintana. She's the type that will get your acting skills sharpened because she'll never stop teaching. Rex is very evil, he'll probably die soon. Right now he's still in the process of kidnapping Elisa again. The kids are fun, I've been there, I worked really young and experienced that. Oldies like us sometimes bully the kids, but these kids are playing and still so good. Elisa should have been a little afraid of me but I still felt very caring with her in real life. I bet my character is going to die someday because he's not a good one. I'm probably going to start soon with another soap and I might go back here if this gets extended. I've already died here but was still able to go back alive. Yasmien is really good here, and I've seen her before during Starstruck and she matured right before my eyes. My other show might start today and show perhaps May with Marian, Glaiza, Luis, Al Tantay, and me. Most probably I'll be evil again but it's not an action flick. I'm going to be Marian's suitor. I enjoy doing it, I don't believe in typecasting, I believe I'm doing justice. I do Bubble Gang every Friday and Magpakailanman sometimes so that makes it a little bearable. I hope I could do something good after that series, I'm really looking forward to it!"

James Blanco plays the role of Victor Guison. He's the biological father of Elisa and the old boyfriend of Dolores. He's a bit of a Mama's boy and couldn't really decide for himself. James was happy to hear Yagit is very successful. It's like he's not really working, but there are a lot of twists not just on the story of Victor and Elisa, or the relationship of Victor and Dolores. Sometimes he feels his character is so weak, he doesn't have power to love or decide on his own. It's always the rich kid which he plays. This is the second time she has worked with Bettina and he sees she has really matured. It's easy to work with her, and they don't have any qualms. They feel like they're husband and wife without hesitation when its needed in the scene. She'll give you what you need in every scene. Among the kids, he says Chlauie also improved a lot than when they started and he mentions there's a lot of things that she has polished even at a young age. She's also very professional because she comes to the set ready just like the rest of them.

James says "Direk Gina is very cool and makes the set very happy. It's her motto. She keeps it that way even if she's so upset, it only happens on that instant and when we have another thing to do it ends there. The kids also can absorb, they have coaches and can do scenes quite easy because they practice a lot. I hope my character becomes firm soon, I hope he gets some more depth. I hope to have more projects soon, I want it one at a time so I can focus. I don't want to leave characters behind so I want it that way. I'll miss this show if it ends because our bonds are tight, we're like long time friends because we eat and celebrate things even if there's no occasion. If you get problems here, you'll only have that with yourself because you won't see any set like this I can say. I hope my character matures, I hope he can decide for himself and with the few months we're doing this I hope he can make all the right decisions as he's not really getting any younger. He's also got a child to take care of and that should at least count, to have some place to start."

Yagit still shows on the same time slot, that's on GMA Afternoon Primetime.

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Fujifilm's Launch Of The X-A2 and New Endorser Tim Yap

We had the chance to see the launch of the newest camera from Fuji a couple of days ago. In attendance were executives from Fujifilm Philippines Inc. headed by its President Takashi Sasaki (in full Samurai form). They are here to launch the new FUJIFILM X-A2. It's Fuji's best and latest camera  that has got an interchangeable lens, a 175' tilting LCD, automatic eye detection focus that would make this the perfect selfie camera. It's also got a direct Instax Share Printing feature that would be able to get your photos printed in seconds!

The X-A2 also has Auto Macro Autofocus and Multi Targeted Autofocus. If you are taking portraits, or subjects on matrix mode, you have that taken cared of easily. The tilting LCD was really meant to make it easy for users to see subjects even on odd angles. All of which will be seen in X Series image quality, a mark that only Fujifilm has.

The camera also has the ability to have interchangeable lenses, if the shoe fits, you can use different lengths which will give users the ability to shoot in different conditions and distances. It's even powered with a flash so intelligent, that it controls light output according to set individual scenes. So if you've got something against the light, it won't be a problem with the Fujifilm X-A2. Now that's something I'd want to experience soon. I didn't have the chance to use it during the event because people were just too busy with it!

We even had a few contests in between to win fun prizes such as instax cameras of different models. It even includes one that has wifi built in so you can print and send photos directly to your gadgets too.

Looks like their direction is into getting connected. The chance to tell your story through photography and making it easy for each individual user to share the media faster through different devices is not just becoming a fad, but more of a necessity. It definitely makes life easy.

Oh and it was the opportune time to also welcome to the Fujifilm family their newest endorser. It's Eventologist cum Talkshow host Tim Yap. He also had to do the compulsory X sign that's unique to the Philippine endorsers. Now, there's more cameras that would fit your lifestyle if it comes from Fujifilm Philippines. You may check them out in Fujifilm stores and partner resellers nationwide! Now I wonder how I'd be able to test one... so I could tell if it's time to crossover from the darkside. :)

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Maja Salvador, Paulo Avelino and Jericho Rosales for Bridges of Love

This has been constantly shown on trailers since last week and now it's the most eagerly awaited teleserye from ABSCBN. With talented artists like Maja Salvador, Paulo Avelino and Jericho Rosales billeted on this series, you won't run out of reasons why you should watch it. During the blog con in ABSCBN, the cast was delighted to introduce something new to the table. Their creatives made this in line with other successful shows in the past so if this becomes a hit, we wouldn't really be surprised. They insisted though that you should watch the first episodes because it will establish the characters and you would know where they would come from. Aside from their good looks, I think the stories would probably be their main selling point.

The directors are Dado C. Lumibao, Richard V. Somes and Will Fredo. They've got different units but converge right before they start shooting so they could talk about changes if there's any. This is to avoid conflicts with the story line. They also watch each other's shoot so if they see any particular styles the other director implements on their shoot, the others would just follow suit. They would not hold back though if they want to do something creative. It was a great thing to know that they sync up first so there would be continuity in the story. They also work on minor details after the day's shoot if they need to. They also work with the writers Benjamin Lingan, G3 San Diego, and Henry King Quitain if there would be changes in the story, they're pretty much open with that.

The reason why they entitled this with Bridges in the beginning has something to do with the brothers dream. They wanted to one day, be able to put up bridges themselves because they wanted to be Engineers or Architects in the future. It was a bit symbolic, where relationships get torn down, both with Maja Salvador, and the two brothers. They wrote this story and the cast wasn't really the first choice, but now the writers realized that these individuals are actually the best choice to portray the roles. Director Richard Sommes was also very excited just hearing the cast. He was eagerly waiting and read the script, he found it very interesting and it struck him that it's going to be this deep and interesting. The only thing he asked was how the production wanted them to attack it. The other directors saw the pilot and they immediately grabbed the opportunity because they've all worked in the past. The treatment of the writers was also very different so it's something that they could experiment with, the directors said.

Maja initially wanted to initially research and watch real shows in clubs. When she was being made up, her make up artist suddenly blurted out that she worked there too in the past. The guys on the other hand have probably gone to Airforce One where they are shooting some of the scenes in. Seeing the locations already took Maja's interest and she adds you should watch out for the hero in the series. He'll make the character of Maja understand why she has hope, you'll find out later when they show it in place of The Legal Wife that ended last week.

Paulo Avelino said Jericho played the role very believable and he felt that Echo definitely felt so much of a brother during the scenes. He knows he had to collaborate with their characters and they need to work with people in front and behind the camera to make this one of the best series in television. He wants to be consistent from start to end, because he finds this a very big challenge in any role he does. Jericho on the other hand says Maja made this very easy for him because she knows how to add on to the lines if they miss one or two things. He also knows his co stars need to communicate since this ensemble is a different mix. Maja also accepted this role to challenge herself and says she wants to give justice to thee persona of the character, which to her is a big achievement. Maja initially had fears also about hearing who she was going to work with and knows these guys are very much established, but she's going to bank on the times they've worked together and pull off things from that.

The relationships is also going to be different says the writers. It's going to overlap with each of the characters, in totally different ways. It's like a painting and they're going to make their own specific brilliance and make harmony while they all discover themselves, yes with each other. 

The dance of Maja is one scene that would be unforgettable. It's where she'll actually be starting her story, a very principled woman even if she's in that stature. Although she's in that situation, her values and principles are still intact. 

Please make sure you tune in to ABSCBN on the same time slot as The Legal Wife. They'll be bringing in a different piece of rivalry, brotherly love, romance, situational drama and the raw acting prowess of Maja, Paulo and Jericho all in one show. You know you'll get hooked with Bridges of Love. 

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