Since ‘Hating Kapatid’ marks the first time the Legaspi family will be working together in a teleserye, Mavy Legaspi said he believes that he, his twin sister Cassy, and his parents can pull it off well.
The afternoon drama tells the story of Roselle (Carmina), who has long harbored feelings for her friend Cris (Zoren), although the latter eventually ended up marrying another woman. However, a passionate night led to Roselle getting impregnated by Cris.
Cris ends up taking Roselle’s daughter – hinting at a switch with another baby – but a twist of fate shows Roselle having a rare condition of giving birth to her daughter’s twin brother a month later.
While Carmina Villarroel and Zoren Legaspi had already established themselves as actors, Mavy said he doesn’t feel as pressured to live up to their legacies since he and Cassy were given the ‘freedom’ to be professional.
‘Wala naman akong negative thoughts of pressure, because coming into this show, alam ko na may freedom kami ni Cassy to act, and to be professionals. I believe in the capabilities of Team Legaspi na we’re very professional, so d’un ako grateful,’ he said during the drama’s media con. ‘We respect each other’s boundaries, and we treat each other as co-actors. But hindi nawawala ‘yung we treat each other as family also.’
(I don’t have any negative thoughts of pressure because coming into this show, Cassy and I were given the freedom to act and to be professionals. I believe in the capabilities of Team Legaspi that we’re very professional, so I’m grateful for that. We respect each other’s boundaries, and we treat each other as co-actors. But of course, we never forget to treat each other like family.)
Agreeing with her twin brother, Cassy said Carmina and Zoren are the type of parents who ‘let them fly.’
‘I’m very, very grateful that our parents give us the space to act as professionals. They let us be and let us fly. I try to put at the back of my mind na artista kami and we’re all in a professional setting,’ she said. ‘May pressure and kinakabahan ako, but I try to remain calm and professional. At the end of the day, I’m thankful that they let us grow as artists.’
(I’m very, very grateful that our parents give us the space to act as professionals. They let us be and let us fly. I try to put it at the back of my mind that we’re actors and we’re all in a professional setting. There is pressure, and I am nervous. But I try to remain calm and professional. At the end of the day, I’m thankful that they let us grow as artists.)
Set arrangement
To shift her focus to taking on the afternoon drama as an actress instead of a mom, Carmina said Zoren would always remind her that she is on the set for work.
‘Nagkaroon kami ng usapan that we’ll treat each other as co-actors. Pagdating sa set, alam kasi ni Zoren na maalalahanin ako, parang typical Mommy. Kaya sabi niya sa set, ‘Hon, please, hindi mo ko asawa.’ Hindi siya in a bad way kasi lagi ko silang iniisip, so kinondisyon ko na sarili ko sa set na ako si Carmina bilang artista, hindi bilang nanay or asawa,’ she said.
(We had a discussion to treat each other as co-actors. When we arrive on set, Zoren knows that I am often worried about them, like a typical mom. So this is why he would tell me on set, ‘Hon, please, I’m not your husband this time.’ He didn’t say this in a bad way, but I would always think of them. This is why I condition myself as Carmina the actress, and not as a mom or wife.)
Proud mama
Despite adapting a more ‘actress-focused’ mindset, the former child star said seeing her children exhibit professionalism on set at a young age reminded her that she did something right.
‘Alam mo ‘yung naiiyak ako na may goosebumps. I am such a proud mama kasi nakikita ko ang hard work nila. Sa bahay, binabasa nila ang script nila, alam na nila ang storya. They’re very hands-on, hardworking, and professional,’ she said.
‘They don’t take advantage of the privilege [of being with the coaches and director]. They came prepared, and I am so proud of that. Siyempre, bilang isang magulang and isang artista, I did something right,’ she continued.
(You know the feeling of goosebumps, almost to the point of wanting to cry? I am such a proud mama because I saw the fruits of their hard work. They would read their script at home, so they come on set knowing the story. They’re very hands-on, hardworking, and professional. They don’t take advantage of the privilege [of being with the coaches and director]. They came prepared, and I am so proud of that. As a mom and as an actress, I did something right.) For his part, Zoren admitted that he was initially worried about Cassy and Mavy keeping up with the intense schedule of doing an afternoon drama. But seeing his twins take every filming day seriously made him relieved.
‘I just trust them – with prayers na kasama – kasi iba ang afternoon drama. Iba ‘yung atake, iba ‘yung mga salita, wording, and isa ‘yun sa mga fears ko na hindi sila maka-cope up, and thankfully, they did it. They did a good job,’ he said.
(I just trust them – with prayers along the way – because doing an afternoon drama has a different kind of pressure. Things are done differently. The lines and wording are different. One of the fears I had was that they might be unable to keep up. But thankfully, they did. They did a good job.) Joining the Legaspis in ‘Hating Kapatid’ are Valerie Concepcion, Bobby Andrews, Leandro Baldemor, Mercedes Cabral, Vince Maristela, Cheska Fausto, and Haley Dizon. The afternoon drama will premiere on October 13.