After his recently concluded fantasy-drama series Ilumina, Director Mark Reyes wanted to work on a feel-good project with family values.
There's no better time to combine those two elements in one television program than this Yuletide season.
"We need something like this. Something that is light and masaya panoorin pero may values na itinuturo, which is very fitting on Christmas," said Direk Mark, referring to GMA-7's new Christmas series titled Jillian: Namamasko Po! (CLICK HERE to view photos of the cast members)
Picking the person to play the lead role was not a difficult task for the Kapuso Network. After the success of her afternoon series titled Trudis Liit, adorable child star Jillian Ward returns to warm the hearts of Filipino primetime viewers.
Jillian: Namamasko Po! is GMA-7's holiday gift to its loyal viewers.
Joining Jillian for the project is the actress dubbed by GMA-7 as the "Queen of Television Drama," Claudine Barretto.
Wendell Ramos, whom Direk Mark described as a "revelation," shows impressing acting chops.
Michael V, a mainstay of the comedy gag show Bubble Gang and the star of reality-sitcom Pepito Manaloto, shifts to drama for this project. The versatile Bitoy (Michael V's nickname) portrays Santa Claus for the primetime series.
Joining the cast members are Chynna Ortaleza, Mosang, Kiko Rustia, and Daniella Amable.
Some of the Kapuso Network's biggest names will also appear as guests in the series, led by Marian Rivera and Carla Abellana.
MAGICAL DOLL. In Namamasko Po!, Jillian (Jillian Ward)—the magical doll and Santa's (Michael V) right hand—accidentally ends up with a terminally ill young girl named Dolly (Daniella Amable).
Dolly soon discovers Jillian's ability to talk, dance and sing. The young girl eventually treats Jillian like a true sister, which at first irritates the mischievous doll. Jillian soon finds herself enjoying the company of Dolly and her loving family.
One night before going to bed, Dolly asks Jillian to take care of her parents Lynette (Claudine Barretto) and Nelson (Wendell Ramos). Dolly dies the next day, leaving her parents sad and disappointed.
Determined to fulfill her promise, Jillian returns to Santa Claus and asks to become human so she could take care of Dolly's parents. For that happen, however, Jillian needs to embody human values necessary for day-to-day living.
Jillian must learn to adjust and live like a normal human being to make her wish come true.
Catch the premiere of Jillian: Namamasko Po! this Monday, November 29, after Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown on GMA-7.