As generously shared by them in a recent STAR article, Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay’s latest TV assignment is indeed a stark contrast from their ongoing family drama Prima Donnas. But what they didn’t give away was it would be the continuation of their Regal Studio Presents fantasy-romance episode, titled Raya Sirena. Their performance pleased viewers and their episode became a trending topic.
Their first onscreen collaboration, yes, prior to the second season of Prima Donnas, has now become a seven-part mini-series, still carrying the same title. It will further showcase Sofia and Allen’s acting and chemistry. Their show will premiere on April 24 after GMA Blockbuster. It is another exciting development in the careers of Sofia and Allen, also known as Team Jolly and named as among GMA 7’s Sparkle Sweethearts.
“Raya’s story started in episode one,” Sofia laid down the ground of how her character will swim her way into the weekend series narrative, during a recent press conference via Zoom. “Kaya gusto kong sabihin na episode one because that’s where the series is originating from. (In the beginning,) Raya was a spoiled brat, may pagka-maarte, mataray siya. One night, she met a mysterious guy and natarayan (niya).”
Unknown to Raya, the person, who witnessed first-hand her being arrogant and snobbish, was Bulan, the guardian of the sea. To teach her a lesson, he turned Raya into a mermaid and to get her feet back, Raya’s father decided to take the place of his daughter. Raya learned the value of treating people with respect the hard way.
“Since then, she has become nice and kind,” shared Sofia. Raya’s adventure does not end there, as hinted by the young actress because something unknown, at some point in the story, calls her name and she becomes a mermaid again. “She will find out more about her (true) identity,” added Sofia. This is one of the many interesting points that will hold viewers’ attention.
“There are more to look forward to,” said Allen, “given the new cast members that we are having. (It’s nice to find out) who will they be in the life of Raya.”
If his Fonsie in Prima Donnas has a crush on Sofia’s Donna Lyn-Lenlen, the young actor shared, “(My character Gavin) mas malalim yung nararamdaman niya para kay Raya (he has deeper feelings for her), mas my meaning.” All right, their characters are in their teens, but will tackle something beyond admiration and infatuation. That’s why Sofia and Allen were sold on the idea of doing this project.
From wearing pink, curly short hair as Donna Lyn-Lenlen, Sofia gets to enjoy the mermaid’s typical long crowning glory as Raya. “She is very mature this time,” said the GMA talent, “whose goal is to find herself. She (considers) Gavin an important person in her life. He is always there for her.” The series version of Raya Sirena will also explore that girl-and-boy relationship, based on a true friendship and genuine concern, in dealing with life’s challenges.
“We’re really proud and honored, that’s why we give our best,” said Sofia about her and Allen’s first TV series as Sparkle love teammates. “We’re really, really happy to be given such chance to show what we can do and we can prove that we are Team Jolly.”
Speaking of their team-up, Sofia and Allen are comfortable with each other as collaborators.
“She’s easy to work with at napaka-gaan,” Allen said, “kaya kung may mga kilig man, we don’t need to work on it, kumbaga kusa na siyang lalabas kasi we know each other.”
This somehow contributes to their natural onscreen chemistry, every time they mount a scene together.
“Actually, we don’t know where it is coming from,” said Sofia, who only learned about it when she and Allen did their screen test and got curious also. Perhaps, they look good together because they feel relaxed and at home with one another. So, they are a joy to look at.
“When I saw them in the Regal Studio Presents episode, Raya, napakaganda ng combination nila at tsaka yung chemistry nila,” said Roselle Monteverde, Regal executive, of Sofia and Allen’s chemistry. By the way, Regal Entertainment, Inc. partners with GMA for the Regal Studio Presents and Raya Sirena, the mini-series. “They are just so cute together. When I watch them, I get younger, kinikilig ako sa eksena nila… sa tingin ko hahaba talaga naman yung journey nitong dalawang young stars kasi they’re very passionate about their careers.”
“I tried them out in Maynila (a drama anthology) before and in Regal Studio Presents, parang walang pagbabago, parang maganda pa rin yung chemistry nila (it seems that nothing has changed and their chemistry remains good),” added Joey Abacan, first vice president for Program Management Department of GMA. “I asked Roselle if she’s willing to actually do Raya Sirena for a mini-series and then, let’s try to bring it to a different level also. I hope God will reward them with success, especially with this project.”
As for Crisanto Aquino, director of Raya Sirena, he said that the tandem’s chemistry is very innate to them. “Ang ganda ng chemistry nila. They are cute together, especially when they look into each other’s eyes, there’s really something about them na ang sarap tignan,” added he.
As her following knows, the Raya Sirena episode and mini-series are dream projects for Sofia, who has ticked off playing a mermaid role twice on her wish list.
“Since I was like six or seven, I’ve been doing mermaid swimming (or swimming) with a mermaid tail,” recalled she. “Pangarap ko po talaga dati na magkaroon ng mermaid show. I’m used to it at hindi ako nahihirapan. It’s actually my expertise when it comes to swimming.”
As expected, when she got the news about the longer version of Raya Sirena, Sofia was jumping for joy.
“At first, I thought it was just going to have a part two and when I confirmed it as a series, nagtatatalon ako sa tuwa,” said she. “It’s my dream role and bukod sa nagawa ko siya once, na medyo nabitin talaga ako kasi (k)onti lang yung scenes… now I have more scenes as a mermaid (as compared to the previous Raya episode), talagang sa dagat ko na siya magagawa. It’s something I dream of achieving as an artist.”
With that, let Sofia, along with Allen, swim their way to continue the Raya Sirena narrative on a Sunday weekend afternoon entertainment timeslot.