Following the finale of Hoy Love You Season 1, one of its stars Brenna Garcia and two of the newest additions to its Season Two, Ritz Azul and Hasna Cabral, graced the latest episode of ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Kapamilya Chat to talk about their memorable experiences in doing the sitcom, as well as the learnings they imbibed from their seasoned colleagues.
Since we’re already in the “Ber months”, the host commenced the episode by asking them how they usually celebrate Christmas. Brenna and her family always get together at home, the same with Ritz and her family who eventually started travelling in 2018 during the holidays. Hasna, meanwhile, used to always go on a trip with her two children and give gifts to the less fortunate. Both Ritz and Hasna were able to try street caroling when they were still kids, while Brenna didn’t have the chance since she’s already working at an early age.
Moving on to Hoy Love You, the three gorgeous ladies have nothing but gratitude for the consistent warm reception and support of the viewers, which made it possible for the show to have a second season. While Brenna has been a part of the series ever since the beginning as she portrays JR, the loving and easygoing boyish daughter of Jules (Joross Gamboa), Hasna and Ritz only both joined the series in the second season, wherein they’re about to amuse us as best friends Kitty and Mica.
As newcomers, Ritz and Hasna enthusiastically recounted their unforgettable first day on the set. Being a showbiz neophyte, it was easy for the Pinoy Big Brother Otso alumna to be pranked by the production’s resident jokester Joross, who told her to pay her respects to Dominic Ochoa by doing the mano. She heeded to it, which made everyone erupt to boisterous laughter.
Although she was initially nervous as well, it was easy for Ritz to be at ease on the set since she already worked with Joross and Pepe Herrera in past projects. Having both done drama and comedy in her 10 years in showbiz, the actress disclosed that she finds it more difficult to make people laugh than cry as it really requires perfect timing.
With regards to their experiences in working for Season Two, Brenna explained that she’s now able to take a grasp of her character JR compared to the past season and of comedy in sitcoms, with the help of her senior co-stars.
“Hindi ako gano’n kagaling magpatawa pa, so humihingi po ako ng advices from Kuya Joross and Ate Rox kung paano po ako makakapag-deliver nang maayos at naa-apply ko naman sa season 2. So, nakakatuwa lang po na kahit papaano, nakasabay na po ako sa mga banat nila, nakakapag-react na ako,” the Goin’ Bulilit alumna imparted, who added that because of how effortlessly humorous her co-stars are, she oftentimes finds it hard to control her laughter and forgets that she’s part of the cast.
Meanwhile, Hasna enthused how wonderful it is to work with everyone on the set, especially perennial on-screen tandem JoRox, who taught her a lot about the craft through their pieces of advice and example. The same goes for Ritz, who gushed over the unmistakable chemistry of the two even off-cam and appreciates the words of wisdom they received from both of them – may it be about work or life in general.
Aside from the fun, memorable experiences in doing the show, it also taught them valuable lessons in life that they have truly taken by heart.
For Brenna, it reminded her of the divine greatness of God. “Natutunan ko na lahat ng bagay, kay God galing. Mapa-pamilya man ‘yan o kaibigan, lahat ‘yan nilagay ni God sa buhay mo kasi gusto Niya na may mapulot ka sa kanila o matulungan mo sila bilang instrumento ka Niya. So, kapag pinanood n’yo ang Hoy Love You Season 1 at Hoy Love You Season 2, ‘di lang kayo matatawa, marami rin kayong matututunan. At siyempre, mararamdaman n’yo rin ang pagmamahal na naramdaman namin habang ginagawa namin ito.”
On the other hand, Hasna hopes that its relatable narrative could make the viewers realize that there’s always hope, every misunderstanding can be fixed with open communication, and that we can have a family not only by blood, but also by choice.
Ritz, meanwhile, emphasized how people from all ages and status in life, particularly those who are married or in a relationship, could pick up a lot from the series. “Bagay na bagay ‘yong title ng show sa value na gustong ipalabas ng Hoy Love You. Kasi nakita ko rito sa Hoy Love You na ang center talaga is ‘love’. Kapag may love ka, di ba blended family nga ang story nito, kapag totoo ‘yong love mo, maa-accept mo kung sino man ‘yong mahal mo. Magkakaroon ka ng acceptance, ng trust at respect sa mga tao. ‘Yon ‘yong pinaka-value na nakuha ko rito sa Hoy Love You 2.”
The host wrapped up the amusing and insightful interview by having the three ladies play two fun games. First was the “Bukingan Challenge”, wherein they had to name the Hoy Love You cast member that best corresponds to the descriptions he mentioned, namely, “pinakamatakaw”, “pinakaantukin”, “pinaka-nakakapangilabot”, “pinakamabilis matawa”, “pinaka-joker”, and “pinaka mami-miss.” Then the other one was the “Sing the Acronym Challenge,” wherein they had to guess and sing a bit of the Christmas song, which title matches the acronym that he would dictate.
Missing the Hoy Love You family? You may binge-watch the whole Season 1 of Hoy Love You and catch fresh episodes of Hoy Love You Two every Saturday at 8PM on iWantTFC! It is directed by Theodore Boborol and written by Ronald Allan Habon.