Daytime drama on modern Pinoy family

MANILA, Philippines – Drama treats viewers to a roller-coaster ride of emotions. It also reminds them about the complexities of relationships and retools them through the values embedded in the narrative. Pamilya Ko, an ABS-CBN daytime family drama series, is set to do all that. It banks on a familiar terrain that one can simply embrace.

“First of all, viewers should (find) it (the story) relatable,” said director Raymund Ocampo of the challenges of doing TV drama during an interview with The STAR, “(na-)experience nila ang na-e-experience ng mga bawat character (their experiences should be similar to those of the characters,) o kailangan maka-relate sila kung kaninuman sa bawat character, ‘yun ang challenge sa amin (or they find any of the characters relatable or they see themselves in any of them. And that’s the challenge to us).” The word “us” refers to the creative team, whose intention is to engage viewers in understanding such issues as tragedy, sibling rivalry and infidelity that the family of Juan and Juana dela Cruz hurdles with acceptance, forgiveness and love as possible solutions. These concepts will also be tackled through “maliliit na eksena” (intimate but impactful scenes) that direk Raymund creates.

 Director Raymund Ocampo. Photo from Raymund Ocampo's Instagram

“There are a lot of maliliit na eksena, mga simpleng eksena…  (examples are intimate) talks between characters or a fight between siblings and then the older brothers approach them to (settle differences) and pull each aside, yung (kuya) kakausap sa isa, yung isa naman ang kakausap naman sa isa.” These moments will somehow simulate commonplace situations and feelings among Kapamilya televiewers. “If you come from a small family and you watch the (big family in the series) and see the family members intact and happy, maiinggit ka. If your family is big, you can relate to it (and say) ay ganyan kami (we’re also like that).”

Pamilya Ko focuses on the life story of the Magbungas with Fernan and Luzviminda as parents and Chico as the eldest child. Joey Marquez, Sylvia Sanchez and JM de Guzman play the characters, respectively. Kiko Estrada, Kid Yambao, Jairus Aquino, Maris Racal, Kira Balinger, Mutya Orquia and Raikko Mateo portray the other kids with fruit-sounding names as Beri, Apol, Persi, Peachy, Lemon, Cherry and Pongky. They complete the Mabunga family tree.

Although the traditional concepts of family are evident in the series, Pamilya Ko also presents a modern Pinoy family, which has semblances to other family TV series of the West.

“Pwedeng modern family na rin,” said Raymund, “(For instance, the family in) Brothers & Sisters (shares similarities with) a Filipino family,” said Raymund, “hindi naman nag-iiba. Pare-pareho pa rin pati yung communication (They have the same ways of communication), lalo na ngayon na tayo ay (mahilig) sa (tech), sa gadget... ang mga pamilya ngayon ay (nag-go-) group message din, ini-introduce din namin dito sa mga eksena (Filipinos are tech or gadget-savvy. Families create their own groups on social media to facilitate conversations and exchanges of messages).” As much as there are differences brought about by culture in family drama programs globally, there are also universal similarities they share.

Like in a real family setting, direk Raymund has to create a set (a homey one for the stars) that is conducive to creativity and collaboration.

“Yung dynamics nila ang kailangan (kong) mabuo (I need to build a firm working dynamics among them),” said the director of his expectations from actors. “So (in my case), some of them I have worked before, karamihan sa kanila naka-work ko na nung maliit pa lang sila. I was an assistant director for 13 years at ABS-CBN… Siguro yung friendship sa bawat isa sa kanila (ang dahilan kung bakit) madali silang buuin. (Darating) kami sa point na kailangan ko ito, hindi ko na kailangang isa-isahin pa sa kanila, alam na nila yung character nila, yung gagawin nila (Their friendship has easily helped them for that dynamics. There will be a point where I don’t have to explain every detail of their characters and scenes. They know what to do.) Sila, sila mismo ang bubuo ng dynamics, ano ang paandar na gagawin natin dito (It’s also up to them to decide like what twists or surprises they will add or do).”

As a director, Raymund trusts his actors and believes in what they can bring to the table.

“Lahat sila ay magagaling (They are good at what they do),” he said. “Mas maganda yung naiilabas nila yung kaya nilang gawin kaysa sabihin ko na ganito ang gusto kong gawin nila, (tapos) hindi naman nila magagawa at pilit. (It’s better to ask what they can give, instead of me telling them what to do and then they can’t deliver at the end.)”

Asked about plans of incorporating sensitive issues aside from infidelity into the main story, Raymund answered: “There are plans… but it depends on the audience reception. If, let's say, they like the ones we tackle, baka yun ang (su)sundan namin.” For now, the infidelity issue remains the "spine," said Raymund, and the identity of the characters that surround the leads. Filipino values will also be highlighted as the narrative progresses.

(Premiering on Sept. 9, Pamilya Ko also stars Irma Adlawan, Arci Muñoz and Alyssa Muhlach. For updates on the show, follow ABS-CBN PR on Facebook [fb.com/abscbnpr], Twitter [@abscbnpr] and Instagram [@abscbnpr].)