"Sex and violence combined."
That's how director Toto
Natividad described ABS-CBN's new action-adventure series, Palos, which
will premiere on primetime television on January 28.
Top-billing the series is the
tandem of Cesar Montano and young heartthrob Jake Cuenca. Both actors confessed
that for a TV series, they were shell-shocked by all the preparations and
demands required of them right from the beginning.
EXTENSIVE TRAINING. Palos tells the tale of two top-notch agents of two different generations who turn out to be related by blood. "Kuwento ito ng mag-ama," revealed Cesar about the plot during the January 15 press conference held at ABS-CBN's 9501 restaurant in Quezon City.
In the story, Fabio (Cesar)—a
courageous and streetsmart agent—is being hunted by his own son, Giancarlo
(played by Jake), who wrongfully assumes that his estranged father was the one
who murdered his mother.
Consumed by anger and the need to
avenge his mother's senseless death, Giancarlo sets out to become the best agent
with a personal mission to slay Fabio.
"'Yon ang nagiging motivation sa
kanya para magsigasig para malagpasan ‘yong kagalingan at skill ng ama niya na
original Palos," said Cesar of Jake's character.
Portraying caliber agents had a
hefty toll on both Cesar and Jake. To make their portrayal acting more
effective and believable, both stars underwent extensive physical training in
Macau under the guidance of Jackie Chan and Jet Li's personal instructors, Andy
Yan and Ace Wang. Lester Ledesma also lends his expertise so the fight
sequences of Cesar and Jake will be truly breathtaking.
Aside from featuring fast-paced
fight scenes, Palos also boasts special 3D effects and special
digital features mirroring foreign sci-fi films that are expected to hold the
audience in awe.
"Mas modernized. Kumbaga set in
the present po ‘to, set in 2008," explained Jake with obvious pride. "'Yong mga
baril, ‘yong mga gamit na ginagamit namin, mga bago na po."
SIZZLING BABES. Of course, an action series would not be complete without the presence of sexy and beautiful women raising the temperature of the equally hot men.
In Palos, Valerie "Bangs"
Garcia, Roxanne Guinoo, Carla Humphries, Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson, Wendy Valdez,
child star Julia Barretto, and Be Bench winner Regine Angeles were all included
in the cast to provide a feminine touch to the action-packed show. If those local
beauties are not enough to keep the male populace excited, the show also features some Brazilian beauties for maximum heat.
"Mas maraming kissing scene sa
‘kin si Jake na ginawa, e," laughed Cesar before adding, "lugi nga kami
dito."
However, Cesar and Jake stressed
that aside from lending their sexy presence, the lady characters of Palos
will prove to be very essential as the story rolls along.
Palos is a story of love,
vengeance and passion, all rolled into one. Directing the action-adventure
series is the triumvirate of Trina Dayrit, Erik Salud and Toto Natividad.
Completing the cast of Palos are Jay-R Siaboc, Gloria Romero, Vandolph,
Redford White, Dennis Padilla, and Ron Maloles. Bernard Bonnin—the original
Palos several years back—also has a special role in the series as the
influential ex-general of Neptune agency.
Watch the explosive premiere of Palos on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida starting
Monday, January 28.