MANILA, Philippines - Every few years or so, new love teams are launched by TV-film producers: Susan-Romeo, Nora-Tirso, Vilma-Edgar, Sharon-Gabby, Jolina-Marvin, Judy Ann-Piolo, Angel-Richard?the list of hit romantic tandems grows sequentially longer as show biz fads and trends evolve.
This season is no exception. The new love teams that have been launched of late include:
Marian-Dingdong
Playing Marimar and Sergio, respectively, in the hit local version of Thalia?s original TV series, Marian and Dingdong have helped make GMA-7?s version a hit in its own right.
The recently concluded show?s unprecedented success has done wonders for its two stars? careers, and has prompted requests from fans for GMA-7 to showcase the love team again in a new project.
Only too happy to oblige, the network has announced that Marian-Dingdong will once again top-bill the latest TV dramatization of ?Dyesebel.? Will the new show do as well as ?Marimar?? The jury?s still out on that one, of course, but we can bet that GMA-7 will do its darndest to make ratings lightning strike twice in a row for its now bankable new love team.
The interesting thing is, fans have embraced the Marian-Dingdong tandem despite the fact that, ?in real life,? the actor?s main squeeze is singer Karylle.
Well, it?s by no means the first time that love teams have played it romantic only on the silver screen. For instance, Luis Gonzales romanced Gloria Romero in many a film, but she ended up with Juancho Gutierrez.
Even more interestingly, Marian has another love team partner in the movies?Richard Gutierrez. And, their tandem has scored a direct hit at the box office with their very first movie, ?My Best Friend?s GirlFriend.?
We can expect, therefore, that, just as GMA has a follow-up TV project for Marian-Dingdong, GMA Films will in time also star Marian-Richard again in another movie?the better to make hay while the show biz shines on their new big-screen love team.
These TV-film success make Marian Rivera the new star to beat this season. Let?s hope that she can develop her performing skills enough to make sure that, as her projects get bigger and more demanding, she?ll be up to the challenge.
Angel-Piolo
Another new combination that?s been launched on TV is the Angel Locsin-Piolo Pascual tandem on ABS-CBN?s ?Lobo? teleserye. This particular move is ?loaded,? because Angel comes from GMA, where she was Richard?s hit love team partner for years. In other words, the new TV team has to click big with viewers?otherwise, it?s ?lose face? time for everyone concerned.
So, how is the new tandem shaping up? First of all, the considerable age difference between Angel and Piolo could be a minus factor in terms of audience acceptance.
Second, during the early weeks of ?Lobo,? Angel?s character was made too ?kikay? to look comfortable on the TV screen. It was occasionally fun, but all too often, it looked artificially zany.
In addition, the dramatically gifted Piolo was limited by his character?s morose persona, which generally prevented him from fully plumbing his considerable resources as a performer.
So, the jury?s still out on how the Angel-Piolo tandem and their TV show are faring with viewers. Now, if February-March ratings are released soon and ?Lobo? turns out to be rating in the high 20s or even 30s, it would definitely be a different story.
Sarah Joaquin
The family of the late teacher and theater director, Sarah K. Joaquin, will launch her memoirs on March 19 at 6 p.m. at the Filipinas Heritage Library, Makati Ave., Makati City.
Joaquin taught and was drama director at FEU for many years, a founding member of the Barangay Theater Guild, and a member of the original cast of the acclaimed play, ?Portrait of the Artist as Filipino,? written by her brother-in-law, Nick Joaquin.
Her memoirs, ?Of Laughter and Tears,? covers her student years, her career as teacher and educator, her marriage to jazz pianist and Clover Theater band leader Ping Joaquin, and her retirement years in Virgina, USA. Tony Joaquin will welcome Sarah?s friends and associates. Call 892-1801.
