As part of its celebration of 60 Years of Pinoy Soap Opera, ABS-CBN offers Filipino audiences another original story that will give a glimpse of the typical life of a "first family."
Tanging Yaman, the newest early primetime teleserye, will show the struggles of President Juan Policarpio's (played by Rowell Santiago) family in achieving true happiness in life. This is a timely, relevant story for Filipino viewers since a presidential election will be held by May this year.
To make each episode more realistic, directors Manny Palo and Lino Cayetano said that their group conducted thorough research before they started taping.
Direk Manny relates, "Ginagawa pa lang po 'yong script, 'yong researcher na 'to, siya ang nangangalap ng mga material na magagamit namin bago mag-taping. So, pinag-aaralan namin dito kung ano ang nangyayari sa Malacañang—kung ano ang mga protocol na dapat na sinusunod ng presidente. Talagang napakahirap kasi alam ng tao kung ano 'yong hitsura ng Malacañang, kung ano ang ginagawa ng Presidente, kasi nakikita sa news."
The result of this research was important because it gave them an idea of which rules they can change about being a president.
Direk Lino explains, "Medyo heavy ang naging research namin especially sa simula, before we started, para rin alam namin kung ano ang mga elementong puwedeng ibahin, ano 'yong mga protocol na hindi puwedeng galawin.
"Siyempre, may ibang bagay na because of the show, siguro 'yong kilos at emosyon, minsan nagbabago bawat presidente. Minsan nagbabago bawat presidente. Nasanay lang tayo ngayon kasi matagal na si President [Macapagal-Arroyo]. Every President brings something new and something different to Malacañang. So by doing research, binigyan din kami ng flexibility kung hanggang saan kami puwede."
KEEPING IT REAL. The production staff was also very careful with regard to the technical aspects of the story. For example, they chose locations that are similar to the places where a president is usually seen.
Direk Manny admitted having a hard time in finding locations.
"Nahirapan kami sa paghahanap ng location, kasi gusto namin mas makatotohanan. Ayaw naming ipakita ang mga eksena 'tapos pagtatawanan lang kami kasi hindi totoo o malayo sa mga nakikita ng mga tao.
"Siguro kapag napanood ninyo sa Lunes [January 11], malalaman na lang ninyo kung ano 'yong mga location na ginamit namin, kung ano ang mga procedures na ginamit namin kapag, halimbawa, si Rowell [Santiago] ay naging presidente na."
Direk Manny, director of the now defunct hit TV series Iisa Pa Lamang, also mentions other scenes that were difficult for them to do.
"Maraming mahihirap na eksena kasi, di ba, ang mga kampanya, e, malalaki 'yan. Presidential campaign ang pinakita namin.... Although, nagsimula 'to sa pagiging mayor at saka senator, hanggang sa lumaki nang lumaki."
Tanging Yaman features the successful love triangle of Katorse—Enchong Dee, Erich Gonzales, and Ejay Falcon—and one of the love teams of Kambal sa Uma: Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks. This will also be the first teleserye of returning actor Rowell Santiago.
Also joining the cast are former Tayong Dalawa actresses Agot Isidro and Mylene Dizon, Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson, Nonie Buencamino, Leo Martinez, and budding actor Ron Morales.
Watch them all in Tanging Yaman, which airs from Monday to Friday on ABS-CBN starting January 11 after Precious Hearts Romances.