THEA Tolentino plays contravida anew in GMA News TV’s new show, “The Lost Recipe”, that starts airing tonight at 8 PM. She and Kelvin Miranda, the lead actor who plays Chef Harvey, portray tough rivals in the story that focuses on the restaurant industry.
“I play Chef Ginger Romano,” says Thea. “Our family is the direct competitor of Kelvin’s restaurant. We cook the best adobo but we face stiff competition sa restaurant ni Kelvin, so we will do our best para matalo namin siya in the food business.”
How did she prepare for her role as a chef? “Lahat kami sa cast, along with Mikee Quintos as Chef Apple na leading lady ni Kelvin, we took a workshop and training course about the culinary arts para ma-immerse kami sa mga ginagawa ng isang chef,” says Thea. “We learned a lot from our preparation for our roles. Natuto talaga akong magluto dahil doon and I really enjoyed it.”
She’s glad to be working in a drama series anew. “My last soap was ‘Madrasta’ which was last year pa, on Afternoon Prime. This time, ‘The Lost Recipe’ is shown on primetime. We’re all glad kasi ang ganda ng feedback ng netizens sa full trailer ng ‘The Lost Recipe’. Parang Korean drama raw ang dating, world class.”
She’s happy to be part of a show that is produced by GMA News TV in cooperation with the City of Manila.
“May pagka-romcom and fantasy ang show namin,” adds Thea. “Magkakalaban kami as chefs in the story but, off cam, masaya ang buong cast sa set. Kulitan, kuwentuhan. Ipi-feature dito not only our own Filipino dishes but also the various historic landmarks in Manila. Kasama rin sa cast si Paul Salas as Chef Frank, na may secret feelings naman for Mikee.”
Supporting them are Faye Lorenzo, Chef Anton Amoncio, Prince Clemente, Phytos Ramirez, Ariella Arida, Topper Fabregas, Sue Prado, Almira Muhlach, Maureen Larrazabal, Lucho Ayala and Crystal Paras, under the direction of Monti Parungao.
Looks like GMA News TV is really beefing up its programming as they have lined up so many new shows for 2021. Aside from “The Lost Recipe”, you should also watch out for these following new offerings from them, most of which are youth oriented romantic comedies since the bulk of viewers now are millennials: “Heartful Café” starring Julie Anne San Jose, David Licauco and Andre Paras; “Love You, Stranger” with the reel and real life love team of Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos; “Flex: starring Mavy Legaspi, Lexi Gonzales, JD Domagoso and Althea Ablan; and “Game of the Gens” with Andre Paras, Sef Cadayona and the GenDolls.
Jeric and Klea have something in common
JERIC Gonzales is the male winner in the “Protege” Artista Search while Klea Pineda is the female winner in Starstruck. They were paired for the first time in “Magkaagaw” where they play a young husband and wife and their new tandem quickly gained lots of fans. It was also the first time that they play mature roles in a story focusing on infidelity and, in all fairness to them, they both acquitted themselves in their highly dramatic roles.
“Magkaagaw” was suspended by the pandemic lockdown last March, but it’s returning on the air this Monday afternoon and both Jeric and Klea say its loyal viewers should brace themselves for highly explosive scenes of dramatic thunderbolt in the fresh new episodes they’ve taped for the show.
“Marami silang dapat abangan,” says Klea. “Based on the scenes that we have shot with Direk Laurice Guillen, lahat halos, puro heavy emotional scenes. At first, nahirapan kami, kasi nabakante kami for seven months because of the lockdown, but after a while, and with the help of our senior co-stars, Sunshine Dizon and Sheryl Cruz, nagawa naman convincingly lahat ng difficult drama scenes required from us.”
“We really put our best efforts in this show,” says Jeric. “Ayaw naming mapahiya sa viewers na matagal nag-abang sa pagbabalik nito on the air. I can really guarantee na walang eksenang matatapon dito o masasayang sa mga ginawa namin kasi very intense lahat. Marami silang mapanood na eksenang puno ng cliff hangers at maraming kapanapanabik na challenges na mangyayari sa lahat ng characters dito. We’re about to reach the climax of the story kaya dapat abangan nyo ang bawat bagong episode. ‘Wag n’yong palalampasin.”
He is happy to have been paired with Klea in “Magkaagaw”. What are her qualities that endear her to him?
“Marami siyang endearing qualities. Bukod sa maganda na, matangkad pa at ‘yung color niya, morenang very smooth skin. At napaka-sweet ni Klea and easy to get along with. Marami kaming puwedeng pagkasunduan, puwedeng pag-usapan, kasi she’s an interesting conversationalist at napaka-professional pa, of course. She also takes her acting craft very seriously. Makikita nyo yung determination and fire niya dito sa mga eksenang ginagawa namin.”
And what can Klea say about this? “He’s right, marami kaming napagkakasunduan, even in playing video games, simpleng bagay na ganu’n. Pareho rin kaming mahilig sa motorbikes. Talagang nag-uusap kami in between takes.”
“Magkaagaw” is one of the three GMA-7 shows that will resume their telecast this Monday after they were stalled by the pandemic lockdown. The other two are on primetime: “Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday” and “Love of My Life”.
‘The Worst Witch’ flies on GMA
“THE Worst Witch”, GMA-7’s newest fantasy series, and its magical world of fabulous characters that will take viewers on an enchanting journey starting this Monday at 8:25 AM.
The show is of British-German origin based on the children’s book series, “Worst Witch”, written by the late Jill Murphy. It follows the adventures of a good-hearted but bumbling young witch-in-training, Mildred Hubble, and her newfound friend, Maud Spellbody, as they embark on some mischievous but wonderful quests together in pursuit of the most marvelous adventures.
The story is set inside Cackle’s Academy, a school for young witches who aspire to learn new magic tricks. They soon find themselves in an intriguing feud with Miss Cackle’s devious twin sister, Agatha, and Enid, who is considered the second worst witch in the Academy.
Find out how Mildred and Maud and their friendship can save the school from the evil schemes and dark plans of Agatha. Watch the thrilling story of “The Worst Witch” beginning January 18, 8:25 AM, on GMA-7
