Joining the powerhouse cast of Viral Scandal, Ria Atayde and Gian Magdangal had to cross challenges for their roles. But the commitment paid off as the whole team birthed a progressive teleserye that will forever be etched in viewers’ minds.

On the road to finale, Ria and Gian look back on the experience as they re-watch their most trending scenes in the controversial series via Kapamilya React.

Gian’s Bobby Ramones is usually loaded with anger that triggers heavy confrontations. One scene witnessed how he compelled Jigs (Markus Paterson) to confess by beating him up. “Gusot na gusot ‘yung polo ni Markus sa lahat ng eksena namin,” he joked.

Not that he’s enabling Bobby’s evil behavior but Gian understood the character’s motive. He had to empathize with the character in order to portray him well, “This Bobby Ramones is so crazy to say something like that. But, you know, bakit niya sasabihin ‘yun? Siyempre, ipagtatanggol ko ‘yung character ko ‘di ba? Kasi ‘yung mga pinagdaanan din niya. He has a lot of issues. He really did not handle all these issues very well.”

Another lauded scene in the teleserye witnessed Bobby taking his revenge on Mayor Troy (Jake Cuenca) by announcing to the whole family that he slept with Audrey (Maxene Magalona).

According to Gian, it was a premeditated scene that Jake helped visualize, “What was good about this scene was may proseso siya. Hindi siya overnight nangyari… In scenes like these, you appreciate your co-actors, directors, and the production so much. You really feel that you are blessed to be in good company.”

Ria would echo the other cast members’ opinion on Jake as one of their torchbearers on- and off-cam, “He really took charge. Jake Cuenca is Jake Cuenca for a reason.”

She added that everyone was collaborative. She’d compare themselves to a group of students doing their assignments diligently after class, “We’d do readings. Babasahin namin ‘yung script every time it comes out. We work on scenes together. We talk about what we think we can do to improve the scene even more.”

Next up, one of her big performances as Atty. Laura, the courtroom interrogation scene. Thrilled to be working with Jake, Charlie Dizon, and Dimples Romana, she accepted the project right away and forgot the weight of Atty. Laura’s character. It was a test of patience, truly one of the most challenging roles she had so far.

Her performance was impeccable nonetheless, and she credits Director Dado Lumibao. “I’m really grateful to Direk Dado Lumibao kasi grabe ‘yung tutok niya para  siguraduhin na kapanipaniwalang abogado ako.” She added that Vance Larena’s portrayal helped extract her acting prowess, “Si Vance kasi nakakapikon din talaga. Kaya ang sarap din, like, in your face, Archie!”

This teleserye taught her to deliver intense emotions without breaking her facade like how a lawyer should act in front of her clients. “Hindi naman pwedeng while you’re in court iiyak ka while defending your case. Me, as a person, when arguing with anybody I end up crying. So, gan’un, really to learn how to control myself din.” It becomes more challenging, though, when your co-actor is Dimples Romana, “Ang hirap din hindi umiyak ‘pag kaharap mo si Ate Dimples. Her eyes, nangungusap na, ‘Paano ‘to? Hindi ako pwedeng umiyak!’ But, yeah, ang sarap nilang katrabaho lahat.”

But some scenes required tears like when Atty. Laura insisted her pure intentions to the Sicat family. She said Miko Raval improvised by hitting the table with his fist, so it added more tension in the scene and helped pull out their emotions, “If you’re comfortable with the people you work with, work is so much easier.”

Don’t miss the remaining episodes of Viral Scandal, weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.