iDOL, ABS-CBN's latest "musikaserye" offering, will soon enthrall televiewers starting September 6, 2010. It topbills Sarah Geronimo, Sam Milby, Coco Martin, veteran actors and actresses as well as promising young stars.
Prior to its pilot episode, a TV special titled The Making of Idol was aired on the Kapamilya Network last night, August 28. Asian Idol Christian Bautista and singer-actress Nikki Gil hosted the TV special that featured the cast and crew behind this upcoming TV musicale show.
For starters, Christian Bautista interviewed lead actress Sarah Geronimo. "Sa tingin mo Sarah, bakit idol ka ng kabataan?"
Sarah responded by saying, "Well siguro masasabi ko na siguro na yung music ang nagpapalapit sa akin sa kanila. Kung marami talaga sa kabataan ngayon ang mahilig sa musika at maraming aspiring singers."
Next question centered on the characters of Billy, Jean and Sarah. "Alam mo kasi di na lalayo si Billie, si Jean at saka myself," admitted Sarah. "Kasi we share the same dreams and siyempre, the love ko for my family na pwede kong i-sakripisyo lahat alang-alang sa pamilya ko. Kung yun ang qualities ni Billy na nagpa Jean siya para sa pamilya niya sa safety ng pamilya niya."
Christian further asked, "Sino ba ang mas guwapo kay Coco at kay Sam?"
"Pareho silang guwapo," said Sarah with a giggle.
Christian: "Characteristic na gumagwapo sila." In response, Sarah revealed: "Si Coco, first time kong makasama sa workshop, nawala na yung wall. May connection na agad bilang co-actor. On Sam, "Even before we started doing the show, nakita ko na kaagang ang pagiging sincere ...Every time he smiles, he means it. Iba ang aura niya. Napakagenerous sa lahat ng katrabaho niya."
Christian: "Sa puso ni Sarah, may something na mangyayari? "To which Sarah replied with laughter.
For the next interview, Nikki Gil grilled Coco Martin regarding his character named Lando.
Coco shared, "Si Lando ang character ko dito. May anim akong kapatid na binubuhay ko at sa bawat kapatid ko, mayroon akong bawat isang trabaho para sa kanila. Gwardiya ako dito, pedicab driver, janitor, electrician, mang-iigib."
Since Coco is best known as a dramatic actor, he was asked how he made the transition to become a singer-actor in this musikaserye. "Sinusubok-subok ko dahan-dahan," he admitted.
Nikki further asked "What is the difference between Lando and Coco"? "Eto si Lando ngayon, e, medyo nahihirapan ako. Medyo madali sa akin kasi may mga kapatid akong inaalagaan, nakakarelate ako. Pero dito sa character bilang may pagkamakulit, masayahin, medyo bibo ako dito, medyo iba ito sa lahat ng nagawa ko. Medyo challenging sa akin ang ganoon..." was Coco's honest reply.
How is it working with Sarah and Sam?
Coco: "Noong umpisa, nahihiya ako. Kumbaga ngayon ko lang na makakatrabaho ang mga mainstream actor s and actresses. Nakakatuwa at nakakagulat sila. Sila pa yung mabait sa akin...."Pag nagkakaeksena kami, nagbibigayan kami. Nagpapalitan kami ng kuro-kuro at kaalaman sa trabaho namin. Dahan-dahan, nagkakaroon kami ng bonding...."
The six siblings of Lando in the show are portrayed by Philip, the "brusko at astig" na brother; Nikki who is descrined as kikay at mataray; Francis who is fond of eating; Rachel "ang batang sakitin; Mica Ella as "mabait at matulungin;" and Renzy as the nerdy brother.
Nikki Gil then interviewed Sarah's leading man in the show, Sam Milby.
Sam plays Vince, who is the best friend of Billy. Sam says, "Best friend ni Billy. Noong bata pa, they grew up together, sang together, been doing contests together."
Sam also described his working relationship with Sarah. 'Nahihiya ako sa kanya....I just really admire her. She's the biggest thing now. She's really grounded."
On working with Coco, Sam admitted that he felt a bit intimidated while working with the intense actor. "It's a good intimidation kasi I can learn a lot from him. Parang it'll push me to be better."
How is it working with these new talents?
Sam: "I'm very close to my band. ...Its very funny coz first time lahat sila. If you hear their singing voices individually, grabe."
Sam's band Da Vince Code band is composed by James, Michael, DJ, Micah and Kyle. Veteran actress Malou de Guzman plays Sharona, the talent manager of Da Vince Code band.
Apart from the Da Vince Code band, watch out for teen stars Emmanuelle as Diana and the cast of the One Harmony" glee club composed of Lizette, Van, Monica and Carmela.
Completing the 1dol cast members are Robert Seña, Jessa Zaragoza, K Brosas, Agot Isidro and Neil Ryan Sese, Marissa Sanchez, and Tippy Dos Santos. Zsa Zsa Padilla is cast in the show as Sam's noveau rich mother. This also marks the acting debut of Pilipinas Got Talent grand winner Jovit Baldivino.
The TV special also featured key members of the production team led by directors Ruel Bayani and Jojo Saguin, Creative Manager Dido Camaro, Choreographer Joan Laygo, Stylist Bang Pineda and Musical Director Jimmy Antiporda. According to the directors, 1dol is a "modern updated, upbeat TV musical...light comedy and light romance."