The Pinoy audience is in love with classic stories’ all sorts of flavor. There is the sweetness of childhood friends where one fall in love with the other, the spice of rivals who develop special feelings, and the tanginess of the typical ‘away-bati’ scenario.
It is no surprising that avid followers of Kapamilya series The General’s Daughter are shipping Rhian (Angel Locsin) and Franco (Paulo Avellino). After all, their tale is a fusion of all the above mentioned tastes, giving a savory punch to the viewers’ appetite.
But, the catch is Franco is in denial of his feelings for Rhian despite getting caught in situations where his withheld emotions no longer reflect his caring acts. He checks up on Rhian every time he catches her looking melancholic and alone. He reasons out just wanting to keep their silent match on fire at all times but the truth is he can’t stand seeing Rhian in pain.
Showing off his machismo nature, Franco often reprimands Rhian for her stubbornness and tries to order her what to do. Yet, this stern dominance is just Franco’s way of sparing Rhian from any danger and harm. He even jests tagging him along in Rhian’s next vacation and adventure.
Despite his task of tailing behind Rhian, Franco still covers up her mistakes; such as when he opted not to disclose Rhian’s secret journey to Sto. Francisco.
The two are being pitted against each other but despite the competition, Franco remains protective of Rhian. There was an instance when Franco volunteered to sleep beside Rhian to look after her all night yet, Rhian is not endeared with the idea.
No matter how much Rhian keeps on denying it, Franco is her knight-in-shining armor, her own superhero who always come in rescue for her. Franco is there to attend to Rhian’s wounded arm which she got from the enemies’ bullets. Most especially, Franco landed beside Rhian just in time to save her from a bombing in a mall.
But, certainly, a little sprinkle of jealousy adds more ‘kilig’ to any love story. Franco rebukes Rhian’s inclination to anything heart-rending and accuses her of failing the organization due to falling in love with Ethan (JC de Vera). But the truth comes out from Franco’s lips. He may not have boldly declared his jealousy but what he did speaks more volume– kissing Rhian on the lips.
There are tons of childhood memories that keep Rhian and Franco’s friendship alive. All it takes is a good kind of reminiscing and they are back again in their younger years full of laughter and good times.