Today, Good Friday, at 7 p.m., GMA 7 telecasts a powerful, celebrity–studded Holy Week special titled "Sa Ngalan ng Anak." The dramatic made–for–TV–movie features some of the most awarded names in TV and filmmaking. Coney Reyes, veteran TV producer and actress, is supervising producer of the two–hour primetime drama directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes, written by Raquel Villavicencio, with musical score by Arnel de Pano.
It’s "who’s who" roster of performers includes Victor Neri, Dennis Trillo, Romnick Sarmienta, Robert Arevalo, Alicia Alonzo, Tirso Cruz lll, Ricky Davao, Chanda Romero, Emma Yuhico, Nancy Castiglione, Erich Gonzales, Melissa Mendez, Lorenzo Mara and Coney Reyes.
The special is a Lenten production of The Christian Broadcasting Network Asia (CBN Asia).
The story revolves around a Filipino family whose "secret sins" or "skeleton in the closet" stay hidden for years. But those events have a deep and serious impact on four successive generations of the clan until the family "scandals’ are uncovered, and the members discover the key to facing the "ghoss" of the past, forgiving and redirecting the future.
"Maraming mapupukaw" (Many will be awakened), says director Maryo J. delos Reyes who add he was "excited" to "execute and polish" the scenes in the short time given so that the message came across well. "Many family members will be able to identify and deal with the hurts and problems they have kept inside for so long." Maryo, a former seminarian, deliberately made time to do the telecine despite his busy schedule. "I always ask the Lord to use me. And so when the opportunity comes, I find the time."
Dennis Trillo represents the youngest generation in the clan who discovers the family "secret." But he narrowly escapes repeating the past, and manages to give his own family and a brand new start. "Life is a cycle," he explains of the telecine’s theme of sowing and reaping. "If you do good, you can receive good for yourself and your children (and vice versa)." Dennis partly attributes his own career success to his dad who is "loving, loyal, straight and vice free." "That’s why I (want to do my best to live a good life). I don’t want to break the generational blessing due my children."
Chanda Romero plays the wife of a compulsive gambler (Ricky Davao). She said doing the telecine reminded her of the "good old days" of Philippine movies. "Excited na excited ako. I found myself working with so many good, multi–awarded performers all at one time. It’s a rare experience. The script was also special, punong–puno and malaman (very substantial). And Coney is such a darling to work with, one of the best, and like a mother to you on the set." Chanda recalled that Coney gave her first comeback acting job in 2001 after a freak accident disabled her left leg. "My leg would swell every three hours. But Coney kept praying for me and encouraging me to keep coming back and fight. It strengthened my faith. Ang laking tulong. (It was a great help). And I got better. I lterally got back on my feet."
In fact the message of the telecine, chosen by Coney, if for every hurting, shattered Filipino family to come back and fight to be whole. "Strengthening and healing the Filipino family is they key to restoring our nation. And there’s a little known but vital key to start it," she observes. For that purpose, she put together a high–calibre cast, chose a director with an "international flair" and a scriptwriter who could put into one powerful story the very real life problems of so many Filipino families. In fact Coney got so many top names together so quickly because many of those involved made the project their Holy Week offering, making time, accepting cuts in their usual fees, and giving their very best "as unto the Lord."
"The most important reason I accepted the role was because it’s rare for a TV production to have a lesson to impart," says Victor Neri whose surprise entry into the story helps unravel the "family curse" and bring unexpected healing to the clan during an emotionally gripping family reunion. "Our entertainment industry is saturated with exploitative fare. But every actor, director and media man has a responsibility. We have power and influence. We can have a (great) positive impact on society, on our country."
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