WATCH: Liza Soberano, Enrique Gil on being too mestizo for ‘Bagani’

MANILA, Philippines — “Bagani” stars Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil explained their side in response to criticisms that they have been “miscast” as prehistoric Filipinos in the show because they look too white or foreign.

“Sa tingin po namin, kami, even if we’re half-Filipino, it doesn’t make us any less of a Filipino and lahat naman po tayo may sariling opinyon. And para po sa amin, Pinoy po kami. And kung para sa kanila hindi po, we respect their opinions as well. But we just want to let them know as well na kami, we feel we are proud to be Filipinos,” Liza said during the show’s press conference in ABS-CBN on Thursday.

Her love interest in the show, Enrique Gil, seconded his rumored girlfriend.

“Just the same as her, we just want to give people a good show to watch, and enjoy and to teach them lessons about the history of the Philippines and hanggang dun lang po kami. We just want to give them a good show and we want to pour hugs to all Filipinos watching,” he said.

The series’ head writer, Mark Agnos, and directors Lester Pimentel and Richard Arellano assured that Liza, Enrique and the others are not miscast.

“Talagang bagay din naman po sa kanila ‘yung mga role. Wala naman pong pinipiling hitsura…Maganda rin po siguro kung attractive din ‘yung characters at ‘yung attraction po hindi lang sa physical. ‘Yung heart din po ng character ang tinitingnan namin,” they said.  — Video by Kat Leandicho

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