Sparkle GMA talents show what they’re made of in ‘triple-plot’ Lovers/Liars

MANILA, Philippines — Sparkle GMA Artist Center talents Lianne Valentin, Shaira Diaz, and Yasser Marta are part of the ensemble cast of the GMA Telebabad drama series Lovers/Liars.

They take on meaty roles and test their mettle by working side by side with veterans Claudine Barretto, Christian Vasquez, and Polo Ravales.

With that, the young actors must bring their A-game.

The “nonconventional” TV series sees Nika, Caloy, and Hannah, played by Shaira, Yasser, and Lianne, respectively, within the “triple-plot,” in which their personal stories at some point will intersect and interact with one another.

The characters seem to be in a learning mode from the beginning to make sense of what “genuine affection” and “deceitful intentions” are in a romantic relationship, as suggested by the information provided about the storyline.

Shaira Diaz is the competitive and feisty Nika, who is the The One That Got Away (TOTGA) of Caloy.

The show’s website offers interesting tidbits about the characters.

Shaira’s Nika is “competitive and feisty” and is The One That Got Away (TOTGA) of Yasser’s Caloy, the newbie architect in the real estate company where Nika also works. Caloy will have an illicit and secret affair with Via (portrayed by Claudine), his and Nika’s boss.

Yasser Marta is Caloy, the newbie architect in the real estate company where Nika also works. He will have a secret affair with their boss Via (portrayed by Claudine Barretto).

In another thread of the Lovers/Liars narrative, there’s Lianne’s Hannah. The character is a sugar baby and mistress of rich businessman Victor (played by Christian). She provides for the needs of her family.

Polo’s loving and obedient Ronnie is a cardiologist who has a secret affair with medical sales representative Joseph (Rob Gomez).

Picking up where they left off, Shaira and Yasser continue the working relationship they established in the rom-com and drama Love You Two, which launched them as love team back in 2019.

“Well, our initial reaction was that we’re happy for each other,” said Shaira about the different opportunities their careers have gifted them in a recent press conference. “And then now, we are working together again as a pair (or tandem).”

“Yasser remains the same; napakabait pa rin, napaka-gentleman (he’s very kind and gentlemanly),” added she, praising her co-star’s ability to memorize lines and to access the needed emotion in a scene. “Hindi ako nahihirapan na ka-eksena siya. Happy ako na magkatrabaho kami ulit (I’ve never had difficulty doing scenes with him. I’m happy that we work together again).

“Dun palang sa Love You Two, maganda na rin yung samahan namin tapos hanggang ngayon. Parang wala namang nagbago (In Love You Two, we had a good working relationship. It seems that nothing has changed). We’re still good friends,” said Yasser. “She’s also a good actress.”

Acting with Shaira and Claudine has been light, easy, smooth-sailing, and fast, added he. As for his first scene with Claudine, Yasser had mixed feelings that ranged from nervousness to excitement.

“Hindi ko maintindihan talaga. Sobrang ang laking achievement with this role and to be paired with Ms. Claudine, sobra po akong nagpapasalamat (I couldn’t explain the feeling. I consider the role a big achievement, and I’m thankful for the chance to be paired with her),” said he. “I consider this the biggest role I’ve ever had.”

Claudine understands the first-taping-day jitters that new actors like Yasser would experience, especially when they find themselves in front of established actors.

“That’s why I make sure to make them feel comfortable,” said she, who had a young screen partner in John Lloyd Cruz for the film Dubai. “Nakita ko yung talent agad sa kanya (Yasser) for some reason sa dami na siguro nang naka-trabaho ko na magagaling na artista (I immediately saw the talent in him for some reason, perhaps due to the many talented actors I’ve worked with.). Like what I’ve said, nakita ko talaga na meron siyang talent, yung magaling talaga siya. All of them will go far.”

Yasser was thankful for and appreciated the kind words of Claudine.

Also showing what she is made of as a thespian is Lianne.

“Every time I’m given the opportunity (to act) or a show, I always take it seriously, and I also give my 200 percent best in every show,” said she. “I always say this that I love portraying characters and exploring different characters.”

Lianne also added that every show means a new role, a new experience, and a new challenge, and she is aware of the responsibility to make the character engaging and appealing to the audience.

“All you have to do is really prepare. You need to consider all possible aspects before going to work and before portraying the role, which I find really important,” shared she.

This is not the first time that Lianne has played daring roles. She has done that in Apoy Sa Langit and Royal Blood.

“I was also asked by direk Crisanto (Aquino) and Ms. Noreen (Capili as the show’s co-creator) kung hanggang saan ba ang kaya mo. I’m very grateful that they also consider where I’m comfortable at kung hanggang saan mo kaya (and up to what extent I can do). What I can say is that it’s new, very challenging, nerve-wracking, and giving me pressure, but I know that I enjoy what I’m doing.”

So far, she hasn’t taped any scenes with Claudine, but she looks forward to the time when Lianne’s Hannah and Claudine’s Via will cross paths.

“I’m very excited to work with her,” Lianne said.

(Watch Lovers/Liars and follow the stories of Nika, Caloy, and Hannah weeknights at 9:35 on GMA.)