SRO Cinemaserye airs anew the riveting story of love, acceptance and forgiveness in the episode that embraces one's sexuality in Rowena Joy beginning tonight, January 14.
Viewers will find themselves drawn once more as Iza Calzado gives a stellar performance as Rowena Joy (RJ), a transgender who faces bouts of denunciation and apprehension in terms of his sexual orientation.
Despite being raised under the care of an iron-fisted father, RJ (played by Paolo Ballesteros), grows up gay and longs to become a woman. When he finally musters the courage to tell the truth to his father, he is thrown out and banished from the family.
He finds solace in the company of his friends, Mama Frannie and Jessie. With no other way to survive on his own, RJ flies to Japan to try his luck and find a stable job.
On his return to the country, RJ undergoes a total sexual transformation and changes his name to Rowena Joy (played by Ms Iza Calzado). This new identity boosts Rowena Joy's self-esteem and liberates her from the ghosts of her past.
Not until she crosses paths with Gino, her longtime best friend and secret love. Sparks instantly fly between the two and soon, Gino and Rowena Joy are in love with each other.
However, Rowena Joy dreads the idea of revealing the truth to Gino for fear of being abandoned and reviled by the man she loves.
How will Rowena Joy handle the pressure of societal prejudices? Will she find peace in her heart and free herself from all the pains and miseries of finally "coming out"? Will Gino and Rowena Joy's love affair have a happy ending?
This episode is helmed by director Soxie Topacio together with a pool of seasoned scriptwriters headed by Jun Lana. Rounding up the cast are BB Gandanghari, TJ Trinidad, John Apacible, Shamaine Centinera, Rez Cortez, Lawrence Gutierrez, Joseph Paras, Sherrie, Prince Stefan, and Renz Michael Valerio.
Catch SRO Cinemaserye presentsRowena Joy once more beginning tonight, January 14, right after Queen Seon Deok on GMA-7.