MANILA, Philippines?ABS-CBN is giving its new leading lady, Maricar Reyes, the big build-up by way of two ?introducing? roles: As the female lead of the new limited series on Sundays, ?Gaano Kita Kamahal,? and in some telecasts of the hit ?inspirational? teleserye, ?May Bukas Pa.?

Potential

The fact that ABS-CBN is investing so much in its new leading lady despite the ?controversies? in which she?s been involved speaks volumes about the potential that her mother studio sees in her. If she?s worth ?defending? in this wise, she must really have ?something,? right?

For proof positive, let?s look into her current drama, ?Gaano Kita Kamahal,? which had its first telecast last Sunday: In the limited series, Maricar plays an otherwise circumspect young lady who, much against her better instincts, falls for a young man (Sid Lucero) who turns out to be married (to Jody Santamaria).

At first, Maricar successfully wards off his determined advances, but he eventually breaks down her resolve and she agrees to ?share? him with his similarly hapless wife. At the end of last Sunday?s telecast, the conflicted leading lady was still unhappy as all heck, even as the aggrieved wife?s suspicions increased?the better to whet viewers? curiosity about the accelerating complications to be detailed in tomorrow?s continuing ?chapter.?

Good news

So, how does Maricar fare in her first lead portrayal? The good news is that ABS-CBN?s faith in her has been justified by her believable and empathetic portrayal. She?s a no-frills actress who?s able to draw viewers into her character?s heart of hearts without having to cry herself a river of showy emotions.

On the debit side, her portrayal of the chaste young woman who has a passionate affair with a married man lacks passion. We don?t mean to say that she has to heat up the small screen with excessive unction, but she still needs to face up to the fact that the liaison is an affair, not a light flirtation, and that her character?s feelings are turned on by her macho lover?s seductive charms.

Costar Sid Lucero has no problem heating up the screen with his swarthy looks and forthright manner. But, he has a hard time making his character sympathetic.

At first, he tries to do this by explaining to his illicit love that his ardor for his wife has cooled because she?s too demanding and expects him to be more successful than he is.

After a while, however, his earnest explanations come off as mere alibis and rationalizations, and it becomes clear to viewers that he?s just the sort of man who wants to have it all, no matter who gets hurt.

Responsibility

He says he loves his wife and son, but lies through his teeth to avoid facing up to his responsibility to them. As for his mistress, he ruins her life just because he ?loves? her.

Granted, it isn?t easy to make a heel come off as less than despicable. As written, however, Lucero?s character appears to have been conceptualized as a complex man, with both good and bad impulses clashing within him. Lucero?s portrayal has yet to vivify this conflict to a substantial degree, so he?s got to work much harder if he wants to triumph over the role?s difficult challenge.