Behind Topel Lee's reputation as a horror film director is a hopeless romantic just waiting for the right project to come.
He found that chance in Dear Friend's latest offering titled Almost A Love Story starring Rhian Ramos and TJ Trinidad. It will air its pilot episode on GMA-7 this Sunday, January 31.
"Na-experience ko din 'yong ganito, older 'yong guy and younger 'yong girl," said Lee with a smile, referring to the May-December affair plot of the series.
This TV series is a reunion of sorts for TJ and Rhian following the success of previous projects The Promise, Zorro and their most recent show, Stairway to Heaven.
"Okay 'yong chemistry nilang dalawa," said Topel of his lead stars. "Si Rhian kasi kaya niya lahat, kahit sinong leading man kaya niyang dalhin. And siya [Rhian] kasi, she can be young tapos puwede rin siyang matanda."
Childish and mature—Rhian had to portray both traits to clearly illustrate the transition of her character from that of a young inexperienced campus girl to a determined career woman haunted by a past love.
"Ang hirap patandain ni Rhian kasi mukha siyang bata," revealed the director, whose previous works include Dilim (2005), Imahe Nasyon (2006), Ouija (2007), My Kuya's Wedding (2007), Sundo (2009) and segments for the Shake, Rattle and Roll installments.
Completing the cast are Arci Munoz, Paolo Avelino, Stef Presscott, Cris Villanueva, Joanne Quintas, Jimwel Stevens, Melissa Mendez, Jace Flores, and Dex Quindoza.
HEART OVER AGE. "Almost A Love Story" tells the story of Hannah (Rhian) and Rommel (TJ), two persons who have contrasting characteristics brought mainly by their eight-year age gap.
Hannah is a fun-loving go-getter type of girl who instantly struck a connection with Rommel's happy-go-lucky persona. The friendship between the two eventually develops into something more serious, even though Hannah was just 15 while Rommel was already 24.
Fate, however, intervened and the two lovers went their separate ways to pursue their individual dreams. Hannah then meets Luigi (Paolo Avelino) and they have a romantic relationship until they finished college. Things became even more serious when Luigi asked for Hannah's hand for marriage.
After six years, Hannah, now a fine lady at 21, works as a bank manager. But just when things are starting to look up, Rommel suddenly comes back to steal Hannah's heart once more.
Will Hannah give up her engagement with Luigi and give Rommel another chance? How will their respective parents and partners accept their love affair? Can they weather the various storms that come their way? Will Hannah and Rommel's romance be for keeps?
Catch the first part of Dear Friend's "Almost A Love Story" this Sunday, January 31, right after S.O.P. Fully Charged on GMA-7.