COCO Martin has set a trend in doing primetime teleseryes on ABS-CBN.
Hindi lang kasi siya ang bida sa mga ito kundi direktor din, if not head of the creative team who oversees all production aspects to ensure a well-produced show.
Best of all, ipinagkakapuri ng marami ang pagbibigay ni Coco ng break sa mga artista most especially those in between jobs.
Lahat na yata ng mga kilala nating artista–beterano man o baguhan–ay nabigyan ni Coco ng exposure.
Tila ganito rin ang diskarte na ginagawa ng direktor na si Neal “Buboy” Tan.
In his latest assignment under MBelle Productions na La Viuda, direk Neal has assembled a number of stars who we haven’t sèen grace the wide screen in a long time.
Playing the lead role, Fil-American actress Isabel Tique has had the opportunity to work with these stars na pinagkunan niya ng inspirasyon.
Papel bilang abused wife named Sophia ang ginagampanan ng dating fashion muse ni Oskar Peralta.
In a way, masasabing binubuo ng powerhouse cast ang La Viuda led by Gino Ilustre, who plays Isabel’s abusive husband.
Gino is joined by other inactive, if not retired actors tulad ng singer na si Malu Barry (who’s proud to have worked with Lino Brocka during the 90s), at mga 80s stars na sina Julie Ann Fortich, Isadora at Liz Alindogan.
Ang hindi ko malilimutang obra ni direk Neal ay ang Tarima which starred Gloria Romero and Fanny Serrano.
It’s interesting to note na nakatakdang bumiyahe ang ilan sa mga cast members ng La Viuda as it competes in the Saskatchuwan International Film Festival in Canada.
The film follows the story of redemption ng isang inabusong maybahay (battered wife), a timely subject prevalent in our society.
La Viuda is ably supported by “Las Veteranas” with the old-timers whose adept acting hasn’t faded through the years!