The Killer Bride was billeted as a riveting “gothic” mix of romance, drama, and horror, and it actually did live up to the viewer’s expectations. The way the characters were built up and the shocking twists and turns truly made it a must-watch each night! There is one central figure that certainly draws much interest and acclaim—that of Emma, played by Janella Salvador, who has been that “instrument” Camila (Maja Salvador) is using to exact her revenge on those who wronged her.
But while we are so engrossed with the way Emma brought into the scheme of things, we just sometimes pity her, not only the character but also Janella herself, for being the recipient of crisp, and certainly painful slaps in a number of scenes that are excruciating to witness. Viewers are surely puzzled as to why she has always been the consistent slapping favorite—was it part of the script, an unfortunate victim of her fellow cast members’ method acting brilliance, or part of cruel on-set pranks? But don’t worry, Janella is taking this in stride, and would brush off the pain from her precious cheeks—it’s all in the name of a believable, remarkable and on-point portrayal of Emma.
Here are five of those epic slaps on Emma that were painful to watch
1. When Luciano was threatened
WATCH: Luciano, sinampal si Emma!
It really seems like when Emma’s presence threatens people, they would just impulsively slap her. Acting as if she was possessed with Camila’s spirit, Emma entered their house without hesitation and called her lola, Guada Dela Torre (Aurora Sevilla). When Guada asked who she was, Emma shocked everyone by revealing that she was actually Camila. Luciano Dela Torre (Cris Villanueva) asked the guards to banish her. She would spook everyone by revealing an information that only Camila would know, like Luciano never accepting her because she’s the favorite of her late grandfather, Don Jacobo (Eddie Gutierrez). Because of this “revelation”, Luciano slapped her.
2. When Manoy Andres just wanted to make sure
WATCH: Emma, sinampal ni Manoy Andres!
Manoy Andres (Soliman Cruz) slowly approached Emma and was quite in disbelief as he walked towards her. He then asked if she was really Emma. She was pleased to say yes but right after her response, Manoy Andres, without hesitation, slapped her. The people who saw the slapping moment were really shocked as Manoy Andres looked like an exorcist who kept on saying there was a bad spirit who’s possessing the body of Emma and kept insisting she would only bring misfortune to Las Espadas. Elias Sanchez (Joshua Garcia) then came to Emma’s rescue and comforted her.
3. When Luna was frightened
WATCH: Luna, nasaksihan ang pagsapi ni Camila kay Emma
Emma was all by herself when Luna (Alexa Ilacad) and her friends cornered and blocked her way. They made fun of her and even played spirit of the glass with Emma herself serving as the glass. However, when Emma got furious, she “transformed” into Camila once more. Luna got the scare of her life after “Camila” asked how her dad Vito (Geoff Eigenmann) was, and if he told her that they had a passionate love affair once. After she and her friends were utterly terrified with “Camila’s” revelations, Luna slapped Emma.
4. When Justino tried to rape her
WATCH: Emma, pinahamak ni Tatiana!
When Emma was lurking in an area looking for Tatiana (Ariella Arida), someone tapped her on the shoulder. It was Justino, a lustful, wealthy man who had long desired Emma. Justino told Emma he would bring her to Tatiana and went into a room. Here he began blurting out lascivious remarks towards Emma, who realized he was trying to rape her. Justino pushed her to the bed and without hesitation tried to force her into submission by slapping her.
5. When Juan Felipe just felt he had to do it
WATCH: Juan Felipe, sinaktan si Emma!
Emma was already about to sleep when she heard the loud cry of Alice Dela Torre (Precious Lara Quigaman) from the other room. When she entered the room, she saw Juan Felipe Dela Torre (James Blanco) physically abusing his wife Alice. Emma immediately tried to stop Juan from hurting Alice, but because of that abusive rage inside of him, he had nothing else to do but let Emma feel it with a thunderous slap!
Enough, you might say. But certainly there will be more, given how Emma makes or breaks the narrative, and she will gladly keep it coming. One hurtful slap at a time.
Catch The Killer Bride, weeknights after The General’s Daughter on Primetime Bida.