Kara Mia preem tonight on GMA

MANILA, Philippines — After creating a buzz on social media for its various parodies and memes, Kara Mia headlines the GMA 7’s primetime block starting tonight after 24 Oras. The fantasy drama series about two sisters sharing one body with two different faces has Barbie Forteza and Mika dela Cruz in the title role.

Visibly delighted by the netizens’ varied reactions, Barbie said, “Imitation, as they say, is the greatest form of flattery. Thanks to the influence of social media which is a good platform to promote this show. Many people are now curious about our series. Even though there were memes that came out unpleasant or distasteful, we considered them as good publicity because it made more people talk about our soap and we didn’t even have to put that much effort.”

Incidentally, Kara Mia is going to air on the same timeslot as FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. When asked if there is any pressure, Barbie replied, “Actually, when this project was offered to me, it has no specific timeslot yet. I don’t want to think about the competition because it would just let the pressure sink in. We will only focus on our show and how to make it more exciting. I hope we would meet the viewers’ expectations and they would appreciate our show.”

Mika, on the other hand, said, “Siyempre, there is pressure po. But based on what we saw, may laban po. I think what matters is the story itself; the way it is being executed, and not because of the artists or the creative team.”

Kara Mia is based on a true-story from India and an urban legend in Great Britain. Kara (Barbie) and Mia (Mika) were born with Disprosopus or craniofacial duplication, a congenital defect where they have two faces but share only one body. Kara’s face is in front, while Mia’s is at the back. Little do they know that they are the children of a mystical being who is watching over them as the twin sisters grow up. The origin of this condition, which is one of the rarest malformations in humans, is still unexplained, whether it is mythical or medical.

Kara Mia marks Barbie and Mika’s second project together after Meant To Be where they first established their friendship. “We’ve gotten closer because of this project and we already call each other beshies,” Barbie said, adding that they could talk for hours about anything under the sun, including their love lives. Mika’s boyfriend is Nash Aguas and Barbie’s is Jak Roberto, who also happens to be her leading man in the series.

“Sobra!” Barbie exclaimed, adding in jest, “Nakakaharot ako sa set, hahaha! But of course, ‘pag break (time) and ‘pag actor’s cue, actor’s cue naman. Kailangan lang talaga artista mode when we are on the set. We know our responsibilities.”

(Helmed by Dominic Zapata, Kara Mia also stars Carmina Villarroel, John Estrada, Glydel Mercado, Alicia Alonzo, Gina Pareño, Mike Tan, Paul Salas, Liezel Lopez, Althea Ablan, Arthur Solinap, Karenina Haniel and April Gustilo.)