"I think this one is grittier. Mas marami pang elements," direk Andoy candidly told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) in a recent conversation inside ABS-CBN's compound.
During the interview, the entire creative team was still patching up some of the show's minor details. Direk Andoy, however, was generous enough to share with us Ligaw's gist.
"Ito ay tungkol sa isang babae na isang horse whisperer at ang journey niya ay hinahanap niya ang mga nawawala niyang kapatid. Gusto niyang buuin ang pamilya na nawala sa kanya," he summarized.
Aside from the story itself, the amiable director excitedly stressed that Ligaw's setting can be considered a milestone of sorts in Philippine television. Just like what they did in Prinsesa ng Banyera, this latest telenovela aims to highlight the environment as an integral part in the shaping of the characters personality.
"Parang ngayon lang kasi magkakaron na ang milieu ay ‘yong karerahan," direk Andoy pondered.
"‘Di ba alam natin ‘yon merong Sta. Ana na horse racing pero ‘yon yung background walang istorya sa mga nangyayari, ito ‘yon. ‘Yong mga ipapakita namin this time, kung sa Prinsesa ng Banyera nagpakita kami ng buhay sa isang fish port ito naman ay buhay sa isang malapit sa pinaggaganapan ng horse racing."
INTERESTING NEW ACTORS. Direk Andoy made no bones in admitting that he was, in a way, part of the selection process for Ligaw's final cast.
"Handpicked," he smiled before adding, "interesting mix of new actors, young actors. Interesting. Very interesting."
Like any good director, Andoy confided that he wanted a mixture of veteran and young actors for balance and challenge.
" I want to handle everyone. ‘Coz even the young actors I can learn from them. With the senior actors naman, I learn so much from them. Ito ay give and take, I [teach] my new actors and I also learn from them. Baka kasi hindi na pala uso ‘yong ganyan ay eto na pala plus mas more exciting to work with the younger generation kasi they're full of energy, full of new surprises and new ideas."
Now that Prinsesa ng Banyera is about to close, we asked direk Andoy about the rumor that he and young actress Kristine Hermosa had a fallout reportedly brought by Kristine's "pasaway" ways and lack of discipline.
"Okay naman," he replied tersely on his current relationship with Kristine.
"I've moved on. I'm doing this project now. I'm excited with this. Okay na ‘yon," he added, obviously trying his best to downplay the issue.
Prinsesa ng Banyera, of course, managed to fare well particularly in the nationwide survey race. Given the success of the soon to be defunct afternoon soap, is he willing to work with Kristine again in the future?
Sporting a half grin, direk Andoy simply answered, "Oo naman. Trabaho ‘yon eh. Basta ako, hanggang trabaho lang ako."