"Para kang karindiryang bukas sa lahat ng gustong kumain," says a feisty Fina (Vilma Santos) to Ditas (Dina Bonnevie) in the '80s film Palimos ng Pag-ibig. The film, directed by Eddie Garcia, also starred Edu Manzano and Cherie Gil.
Two decades later, ABS-CBN buys the rights to make the hit movie into a teleserye billed as Sineserye Presents: Palimos ng Pag-ibig. The soap opera brings Kristine Hermosa and Diether Ocampo, along with Rica Peralejo, back to primetime TV.
"Eto straight drama, pure drama. Ang laki ng expectations sa amin," says Andoy Ranay, who co-directs the soap with Wenn Deramas.
Direk Wenn agrees, "Para i-remake mo ito, sobra ‘yong pressure. Sobra ‘yong challenge. Kung hindi mo ito kayang lampasan, at least man lang mapantayan mo ‘yong nagawa nung pelikula."
Rica plays the role of Fina, a rich doctor. Before her wedding to Rodel, played by Diether, she finds out that she is barren and decides to keep this as a secret. Rodel wants nothing in the world but to be a father.
Conflict arises when Rodel finds out that his wife cannot give him children. He seeks the services of a babymaker, Ditas—played by Kristine. Ditas does not only conceive a baby for Rodel but engages in a relationship with him as well.
"Siyempre nakakakaba kasi ang mga roles na papalitan namin sina Dina Bonnevie," says Kristine.
Direk Wenn points out that they made the story more in-depth and added more characters.
He explains, "Mas mabuting sabihin na hinimay namin ‘yong background. Hinimay namin in such a way na, ano ang pinaggalingan ng isang babymaker? Paano siya naging babymaker?
"Kunyari ‘yong role naman ni Fina, ‘yong na pinortray ni Ate Vi, kung mapapansin niyo kasi parang selos lang siya ng selos sa pelikula. Binigyan namin siya ng dahilan kung anong pinagdadaanan niya rin, at mas lalo na ‘yong kay Rodel. Paano pumatol sa babymaker gayong mahal na mahal niya ang asawa niya?
"Base sa ginawa naming paghihimay ng mga characters, umabot kami ng six weeks nang hindi siya lumaylay o kahit na ano."
Palimos ng Pag-ibig starts airing on March 5, after Pangako Sa 'Yo.