After three months of not seeing them on-air due to the community quarantine implemented by the government in light of the COVID-19 crisis, we were finally able to see the Love Thy Woman stars again on our television screens as the Kapamilya Channel started broadcasting its pre-taped episodes last Monday, June 15.
And a few hours after their much-awaited comeback, the stellar cast of the well-loved afternoon soap opera poured their hearts and thoughts out in answering to the queries of some of the press people during the live media conference streamed on the official YouTube channel of ABS-CBN Entertainment.
Since we’re still in the midst of a pandemic, many are certainly curious on how the artists have braced themselves as they go back in action soon and how the management has prepared them for the “new normal” when it comes to this kind of production.
“We have not resumed taping yet for Love Thy Woman, but as early as now, we’re already in self-isolation, we’re already preparing for what we’re going to tape again. Lahat kami talagang naghahanda ngayon palang. We’re already memorizing our lines for the script, we’re already preparing our outfits, Ruffa Gutierrez, who plays the scheming Amanda del Mundo, divulged.
She went on to share that she already bought a coffee machine and packed everything that she will need in the whole few weeks that they will be taping. She also assured everyone that they’re going to strictly obey the safety protocols mandated by the government once they start shooting.
“It’s gonna really be exciting, we’re just so happy that we’re working again and we’re given this opportunity to tape again. So talagang very grateful kaming lahat na nabigyan kami ng ganitong opportunity,” she added.
Meanwhile, Sunshine Cruz, who portrays the affectionate yet fierce Kai Estrella, shyly confessed that she’s been practicing to doll herself up since she doesn’t know how to flawlessly do so and they are going to also have limited manpower on the set.
“I’m sure naman, kasi para kaming pamilya sa Love Thy Woman, magtutulungan naman kami. Alam ko tutulungan ako nila Yam, nila Ms. Eula kung kailangan ko ng tulong maglagay ng kilay, ng tungkil. ‘Yon ang nakakatuwa sa amin kasi isang buong pamilya kami at nagsusuportahan at nagtutulungan. So, I’m just very excited and looking forward na makita na silang lahat at makapagtrabaho na ulit,” she stated.
On the other hand, Eula Valdes, who plays the domineering and antagonistic Lucy Wong, proudly imparted that she’s been really independent ever since.
“Ako naman, ever since, ako ‘yong nagdri-drive papuntang taping at nagdri-driver lang naman ako kapag sume-segue, ‘pag dalawa ‘yong tapings ko. Pero ever since, ako ‘yong nagdri-drive and wala akong PA. Although may time na nag-PA ako kasi nga may segue, pero sanay ako na ako nagbibitbit ng gamit ko.
Wala naman masyadong adjustments. Meron akong trolley na malaki, doon ko na ilalagay lahat ng gamit ko. Ako naglo-load-unload sa kotse. So walang masyadong adjustments. Sanay na ako mag-isa,” she related.
The same goes for Yam Concepcion, who’s been blowing our minds with her compelling depiction of Dana Wong, as she related how she’s already used to do things by herself as well.
“Ako, gano’n din naman, walang masyadong adjustments. Sanay din ako to do things on my own, so I do my own makeup tapos ‘yong mga bitbit bitbit, siguro kaya na ‘yan, madali na ‘yan. Siguro there’ll be people to help naman do’n sa taping,” she said. “Since ganito na ‘yong situation, magtutulungan na lang kaming lahat para mapadali ‘yong trabaho namin. We’ll support each other.”
As the Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, who plays Helen Chao, had relayed at the start of the mediacon the health protocols she and her ASAP Natin ‘To colleagues observed as they resumed doing live shows last Sunday, Sunshine also imparted that the entire production team of Love Thy Woman had already been notified regarding the safety guidelines that they all have to obey.
“Na-brief na kami and lahat ng mga health and safety protocols na binigay sa’tin ng government, susundin talaga namin. Like ‘yong sinabi kanina ni Ruffa, ngayon, naka-self-isolation na kami bago kami mag-start taping kaya ngayon pa lang, naka-quarantine na ulit kami just to be sure na maging safe ang lahat ng staff and crew and lahat ng artists pagdating ng araw na kailangan na naming mag-taping,” she disclosed.
When it comes to the flow of the narrative, AdProm Head Eric John Salut hinted that there are certainly going to be changes in the creative aspect since the manpower and movements will be limited, yet it will just keep on flowing. Ruffa and Christopher de Leon, who portrays Adam Wong, supported this by giving us a backgrounder and a few insights on what we’re going to expect in the succeeding episodes.
“It was a recap of the episodes na na-shoot namin prior to COVID so at least, para ma-refresh ‘yong memory ng mga sumusubaybay sa Love Thy Woman. And syempre, ‘yong mga hindi pa naipapalabas, naipalabas na ngayon. Everyday na ‘yon ipapalabas.
By the time we start taping again, ico-continue lang ‘yon kasi gustong-gusto ng mga tao ‘yong kwento ng Love Thy Woman so bakit natin iibahin? Siyempre may mga changes when we start filming and I believe in the creative writers of ABS-CBN na gagawin nilang napakabongga pa rin ng istorya at ‘di mapapansin ng mga manonood na may mga changes kaming ginawa,” she revealed.
Christopher seconded by sharing his reaction upon reading the script, “I’ve been reading the material and it’s really a continuation ng mga na-tape na namin. But the ones that I’ve been reading now, sobrang magugulat ang lahat and lalong magiging exciting ‘yong istorya natin. Ako, nagulat with that matter kasi ‘di ko akalain na gano’n ang mangyayari sa istorya natin. But, watch out for this and this is going to be better, this whole story’s going to be better. It’s going to be more exciting, it’s going to be a rollercoaster ride for all.”
Are you excited as us to see how the Love Thy Woman narrative will continue to unfold amid the challenges of this pandemic? Well, you better not miss the upcoming episodes on the Kapamilya Channel!