Multi-awarded director Chito Roño admitted he missed directing TV series so he agreed to helm ABS-CBN's upcoming afternoon soap opera Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal?
Direk Chito's last TV show was the fantasy-adventure series Spirits in 2004. He also helped in doing the prologue of the TV adaptation of Mars Ravelo's Komiks presents Lastikman (2007).
"Unang-una, na-miss ko ang TV, ang last ko na ginawa 'yong Spiritspa yata. Nag-tape ako for Lastikman pero parang prologue lang. Na-encourage ako kasi, di ba, nanalo sa [2009 New York Festivals, Silver World Medal in Action/Adventure category]," he told the members of the press who visited the set of Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal at Marikina Riverbanks last week.
Although he's currently busy finishing his first full length musical film Emir, Direk Chito said he found a way to squeeze into his schedule the tapings of this teleserye.
He related, "Well, ongoing kasi ang aking musical. Ang hirap palang gumawa ng musical kasi kailangan gawin mo muna 'yong music. So during that time na ginagawa namin ang music, nagkaroon ng opening na gumawa ng maikli lang naman na TV series, hindi naman ito 'yong 26 weeks or more. Minimum lang siya ng one season, tapos na ang kwento."
DIFFERENT SOAP OPERA. However, unlike his last TV series, Direk Chito had a special request about the TV show that was offered to him by ABS-CBN.
He narrated, "Sabi ko, 'Sige,' kasi type ko talagang balikan ang TV. Sabi ko, 'Pwede sampalan na lang, iyakan?' Walang mga chroma, walang mga kung anu-anong effect, pahihirapan ko na ang sarili ko. Although, I really enjoy effects kasi alam ko na 'yan talaga ang trend ng mga movies, e."
Although he wanted a drama series, Direk Chito said that he would try not to overdo it with Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal?
He related his plans for the show, "Actaully, ang ginawa ko dito, sobra melodramatic ang istorya. Alam mo naman ang soap, parang melodramatic na ganyan. So, ako naman, ina-anchor down ko. Alam mong love triangle 'yan, like it has been told a million times. At least my actors are trying to work na ma-anchor ang mga pinaggagawa nila."
Direk Chito added, "I want it, especially my first part 'yong flashback, ginawa ko siyang halos totoo. Sabi ko nga, 'Gawin nating mas totoo.' Kasi medyo ano na ang drama natin, dito gawin nating totoo ang pagmamahal ng ina sa anak-nakikita mo talaga siyang nagdadaan sa mga putik-putik. I mean, huwag na nating i-glamorize para maamoy mo 'yong mundong pinanggalingan nila."
He emphasized that Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal? will not be based on director Laurice Guillen's movie in 1989, which starred Zsa Zsa Padilla, Christopher de Leon, and Joel Torre. ABS-CBN just bought the title rights from its producer Seiko Films.
Direk Chito also hinted, "Maraming new characters ang nawala sa movie. 'Yon ang isang pagbabago from the movie before, ang dami-rami ng new characters na original na for this soap."
NEW GENERATION OF ACTORS. Direk Chito was also quite excited with the actors he'd be working with in this afternoon series.
Although he previously worked with Rayver Cruz in Spirits, he still considered working with him, together with Bangs Garcia and Sid Lucero, as a novel experience.
"I'm quite challenged that I'd be working for the first time with Sid and Bangs. Si Mickey [Ferriols] nagamit ko na before even the young kids like si Makisig [Morales], nagamit ko na before. Pero this is all soap, di ba? Parang it's all new to me working with this people kasi soap na soap."
He also mentioned, "Marami kaming pinagpilian na artista, lalo na sa TV. Alam mo naman sa ABS-CBN maraming magagaling na talents, pipiliin mo ang nababagay o naiiba sa character na usually ginagampanan nila."
Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal? also features Sid's mother in real life, returning actress Bing Pimentel, and Emilio Garcia as the parents of Troy (Rayver's character); and Mickey Ferriols as the mother of Carmela (Bangs's character). Other actors completing the cast are Debraliz Valasote, Beverly Salviejo, Nikki Valdez, Paw Diaz, Bettina Carlos, Makisig Morales, Martin Rosario, Ella Cruz, and Joshua Dionisio.
Magkano Ang Iyong Dangal? will start airing on January 25, 2010 on ABS-CBN's Hapon-tastic block.