ABS-CBN Studios’ highly anticipated powerhouse teleserye this 2024, “Lavender Fields,” is finally arriving on primetime this coming September 2!
But before we get to completely meet and join the titular character, played by the Silent Superstar Jodi Sta. Maria, in her journey, let us take a peek at the painstaking process that the cast members, directors, and Dreamscape Entertainment staff and crew went through in making the series via this video! At the same time, OPM stalwarts Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, and Jonathan Manalo also discuss their collaboration for its official theme song titled “Maskara.”
In this “The Making” video, we were treated to more snippets of the scenes that we should watch out for once the series premieres.
Creative Manager Joel Mercado provides the premise of the series, saying, “Ang ‘Lavender Fields’ ay tungkol sa isang babaeng ibinigay ang buong puso niya para sa pag-ibig. Pero ang naging kapalit, pagkawasak ng buhay niya. Kaya ibibigay niya rin ang buong puso niya para makabangon at makaganti.”
Its top-caliber directors, Emmanuel Q. Palo and Jojo Saguin, meanwhile, explain what they like most about making the show. For Direk Manny, it’s how the creators explore the other dimensions of the characters that we usually see in other narratives, particularly their dark sides. Direk Jojo, on her part, highlighted the battle between the characters of Jodi and Janine Gutierrez, who both have their first-ever foray into action scenes. She also mentioned Jericho Rosales’ portrayal of a gray character that quite veers away from the usual leading man roles he used to depict.
The powerhouse ensemble of “Lavender Fields” also talks about their respective characters, with Jodi taking on the lead. From being the kindhearted and sweet Jasmine Flores, she eventually became the fierce and relentless titular character who was forced into hiding and taking matters into her own hands after the justice system failed her. Just when we assume that it’s going to be another revenge story, the Asian Academy Creative Awards 2022 Best Actress awardee claims that it’s definitely not.
“It’s not your typical revenge story. Just when you thought na ito na ang mangyayari, but wait, hindi pa rin talaga. It’s a tale of love. There’s a lot of duality going on, and redemption,” she conveys.
Her onscreen rival, Asia’s Rising Star Janine Gutierrez, describes her feisty character, Iris Buenavidez, as a scorned wife who’s totally hurt after her husband leaves her and struggles to take back what she thinks has been taken away from her.
After shying away from the spotlight for quite some time, Jericho has nothing but gratitude for being given another opportunity to be back on screen anew. According to the Asian Drama King, he’s having the best time playing Tyrone de Vera, a.k.a. Arthur Pelaez, as he really likes playing his mysterious character who lives a double life.
They are joined by some of the most seasoned and veteran actors in the country, such as Philippine drama icons Albert Martinez as Zandro, a devious investigator; Edu Manzano as Vitto, a ruthless businessman yet caring dad to his unica hija, Iris; Jolina Magdangal as Lily, the loyal and protective best friend of Iris; and Maricel Soriano as Aster Fields, an affluent woman who will look after Jasmine and help her in her vengeful pursuits.
At the same time, four promising young artists from today’s generation are also going to showcase their acting prowess. Jana Agoncillo will endear us as Mira, the grounded and loving granddaughter of Aster; Marc Santiago as Gio Albano, an intelligent and nice young man; Miguel Vergara as John Paul “JP” Madrigal, the school bully; and Krystal Mejes as Myrtle Hidalgo, the ambitious and selfish kontrabida to Mira.
Aside from the powerhouse cast and brilliant director, Lavender Fields also boasts its moving OST titled “Maskara,” which is composed and performed by OPM legendary couple Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez and produced by ABS-CBN Music AVP/Creative Director Jonathan Manalo.
“The essence of the song is to say, ‘tanggalin mo na ang maskara mo, mamahalin kita kahit sino ka man at matututunan mo ring mahalin ang sarili mo,” Ogie relates.
Asia’s Songbird also shares that she had a wonderful experience working with her husband again and that they dedicate this song to those people who are hiding their authentic selves as their way of protecting themselves from anything or anyone they think can harm them. Meanwhile, Jonathan Manalo feels that a lot of people can relate to the song since each one of us has probably gone through episodes in our lives when we have a hard time choosing whether to show or hide our true selves.
Want to be among the lucky ones to see it first? Well, Netflix subscribers have the chance to see it first on the streaming platform on August 30, 72 hours ahead of its TV airing, while everyone can see it on iWantTFC 48 hours in advance starting August 31.
And beginning September 2, our primetime viewing will get more exciting as Lavender Fields premieres simultaneously on free TV, cable, and online via A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live. You better not miss it, Kapamilya!