|
By Ricky T. Gallardo and Danny
Vibas
|
 |
|
Sid
Lucero and the Kung Fu Kids |
It’s the first time that a
television network has launched three big-budgeted programs in one
night. The Lopez-owned network recharged its primetime programming
with three new shows last night, elevating the network wars on
another level.
For many weeks now, all we got to
see and hear are exchange of tirades and accusations from the ABS-CBN
and GMA camps, initiated by the controversy on the AGB Nielsen
ratings. Many feel really tired and bored with this ongoing fight
and these new programs will certainly add a breathe of fresh air.
The most awaited perhaps is the
team-up of Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin in the new series inspired
by Werewolf titled Lobo. This is the first major outing of Locsin
after she jumped ship and transferred to ABS-CBN third quarter of
last year. For a while, delays have been experienced by the
production, headed by directors Erick Reyes and Cathy Garcia-Molina,
but we learned that these two directors are leaving no stone
unturned to make sure that Lobo will be the show to beat on
primetime TV.
The reigning program is still GMA
7’s Marimar and the executives of ABS-CBN are hoping that these
new shows will slice a chunk of the loyal viewers of GMA primetime
programs. Reyes is credited (Alongside director Mae Cruz) for a good
job with the first season of Maging Sino Ka Man, and hopefully he
will cast his magic wand again in Lobo.
The second new show is called
Kung Fu Kids and it aims to tap the young market. With no real big
name children-actors to boot, Kung Fu Kids might just spring a
surprise in the ratings game since talks have it that it is
wonderfully crafted. Seven kids display their martial arts skills
and their acting promise in this daily action-fantasy-adventure
series directed by Malu Sevilla and Richard Arellano.
Sid Lucero, touted as the next
important actor of Philipine cinema, plays the Kungfu master to
these kids and in order to beef up the excitement, the production
has also convinced Rica Peralejo, Miss International Lara Quigaman
and Pinoy Mano-Mano ultimate champion Jordan Herrera to appear as
guest actors.
The third new show is Palos, a
popular movie in the 60s that catapulted Bernard Bonnin to lead star
status. This time around, young actor and current network favorite
and controversial lover boy Jake Cuenca has been handpicked to essay
the title role with Cesar Montano giving him five-star support.
Bonnin makes a rare appearance in the show which also stars Jay-R
Siaboc (another apple of the eye of the network executives), Wendy
Valdes and the virtually unknown starlet with a funny name like
Bangs (yes, as in the chopped Oriental hairstyle!) Garcia.
To give these new shows a grand
launch, as well as to signal the
beginning of its 55th anniversary, ABS-CBN
held a 5-venue telecast of its
noontime show ASAP last Sunday. Production
numbers of songs and dances were held simultaneously and almost in
perfect synchronicity at the ABS-CBN studio in Quezon City, and at
the biggest malls in Bacolod, Cebu, Dagupan, and Davao.
Impressive (perhaps,even
dazzling!) as that multivenue telecast was, it has to be pointed out
that what ASAP did has also been done by GMA 7’s Sunday noontime
SOP sometime last year. But that just goes to show how much the two networks
are willing to spend just to outdo or match each other.
From showbiz analysts, Lobo might
start strong and the challenge for the production is how to sustain
the interest of the viewers to get glued and follow this series. The
underdog here is Kung Fu Kids and it might just spring a surprise
and capture a big chunk of the target viewers. As for Palos, well,
we think the decision makers of the giant network has to get a
refresher course on casting since many feel that the problem is
miscasting. We’ll update you on the ratings for these new shows
soon. 
|
