A rom-com about ex-girlfriends

MANILA, Philippines — Girls, relationships and (a bit of) fashion. 

These are the “operative words” of Lovi Poe, Max Collins and Rhian Ramos to frame the narrative of their upcoming romantic-comedy series, titled #KuwentuhangEx. The Kapuso primetime show is an escape from their usual tearjerkers.  

“This isn’t my comfort zone,” said Lovi, in an interview with The STAR, whose last drama was Someone to Watch Over Me, opposite Tom Rodriguez and with Max. The former’s character Joanna was the wife, while Max’s Irene the former girlfriend. The Alzheimer’s disease of Tom’s TJ challenged the ladies’ love to him. “This is something new to me. My comfort zone is drama. For sure, they’ll (Max and Rhian) help me feel relaxed.”

“We’ve been praying for the show for a long time,” shared Rhian. “When we saw each other at Solenn’s (Heussaff) wedding, we wished we could do comedy. At that time, we had just done two heavy dramas. We were kind of a little worn out from (playing and getting) depressed... I just wanted a character who would force me to be in a happier frame of mind.”

Wish granted. Rhian is Zoe, the happy-go-lucky swimwear designer. Lovi plays the workaholic TV host Alex. Max is Darcy, the gym instructor, personal trainer. They are all friends like the women of Sex and the City and have the same ex like Aida, Lorna and Fe in the popular Original Pilipino Music (OPM) tune. The guy’s name is Liam. 

“Darcy and Liam’s relationship didn’t work out because my character had to move abroad to support her family,” shared Max. “Her parents died. As the eldest, she has taken all the responsibilities. They were in a long-distance relationship. I think a lot of Pinays and OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) can relate to her (story).”

As for Alex’s affair with Liam, Lovi said her character puts her career first before anything else and that, if I may add, love has to take a backseat. Rhian’s Zoe has a juicy reason to tell. “(It) was a little more embarrassing... masyado siyang nasakal sa (character ko),” said Rhian on how Zoe and Liam split up. “But I think it’s still relatable because we’re kinda in a country where philandering is a big thing. Nakakapraning naman to lose your guy to another girl.”

It is common for men and women to fall in and out of love until they find the right one. But what’s uncommon with the women of #KuwentuhangEx is “to meet someone (who is) the ex of the love of my life,” as Lovi put it. 

Asked if viewers can expect riotous confrontations and hair-pulling scenes between Zoe, Alex and Darcy, Lovi replied, “There’s riot for sure, but we’re not sure about hair-pulling. It’s gonna be a riot because some women can be feisty, especially kapag territorial na. I think based on our characters, it’s gonna be somewhat like that.”

Aside from the close-to-home love issues, #KuwentuhangEx will give Kapuso a glimpse of must-try styles.    

“It shows people how to play with their outfits and to look expensive but the look doesn’t have to be mahal (costly),” said Max. “Sana ma-inspire sila to experiment (mix and match pieces or try new styles).” Although the fashion tips are not embedded in the story, they can be seen from the characters. To give one that visual feast, Lovi said, “We have our own stylists.”

And that visual aspect will not divert the viewer’s attention from the Zoe-Alex-and-Darcy interconnected personal narratives. Making sure that everything is in the right perspective is Maryo J. delos Reyes, who helms the series, which, according to the information furnished to this writer, is replete with intriguing characters, funny dialogues and interesting plotlines.

“It’s my first for a soap,” said Rhian on working with the veteran director. “I’m excited to get started and I’m the kind of actor that eats up directions. I love being given a really detailed picture of what’s gonna happen and he (direk Maryo) is like that daw. Of course, I also appreciate those directors who give you all the freedom but you know I love getting into specifics.”

Max and Lovi worked with direk Maryo in Someone To Watch Over Me. What also excites them is to see him play, so to speak, within the bounds of comedy. “This is the first time I will see him direct something funny. So I’m excited,” said Max. “Every time he would do drama, yung pag?direct niya is comedy. He was funny when he would ask us to do some scenes,” recalled Lovi. “I-no-OA (overacting) niya. He’s naturally funny.”

Everybody knows that Lovi, Rhian and Max have had relationships (well, Max is engaged to fellow GMA artist Pancho Magno) and has seen them in their happiest. They can attest that loving is not a bed of roses. Their experiences will give them a better vantage point where Zoe, Alex and Darcy are coming from.    

“I guess so. I think makakatulong in whatever project you are doing,” said Lovi. You just find something you can relate to based on experience.”

What are their lessons learned about love?

“For me, you have to share the same values and the same faith,” Max answered. “I think that’s a big thing. That’s what’s going to keep you together for a long time… You really have to want the same things in life and have the same beliefs.”

With every relationship that has passed, Rhian shared she learned how to love herself a little more. “It gave me like a different perspective on, you know, what I felt like I deserved.”

With Lovi, she said, “I think you should never feel bad or feel sorry for realizing that I think I deserve more than this.”