Director Mario Delos Reyes on Mark Anthony Fernandez

DIRECTOR MARYO DE LOS REYES says it’s always a joy to direct a seasoned actress like Gloria Romero. “Kung lahat ng artista gaya niya, tapos agad ang trabaho mo. Very professional na, she always delivers pa what you ask her to do,” he says. “But in fairness to all my stars in ‘Munting Heredera’, lahat sila maaasahan kaya madali ang trabaho, like Mark Anthony Fernandez, Camille Prats, Katrina Halili, even the comebacking Ynez Veneracion and Leandro Baldemor. ‘Munting Heredera’ is not the typical telefantasya seen on GMA’s presstime. This is more straight drama na family-oriented. Everyone is looking for love.”

How did he recruit the three new child actresses in the cast: Mona Louise Rey, Barbara Miguel and Kyle Ocampo? “We had a series of auditions. Minsan nga, nagi-guilty ako. I felt like I’m torturing the children kasi you ask them to emote, to laugh, to cry. But that’s really part of their training also. Sa hundreds na nag-audition, standout yung tatlong napili namin. They all have great potential.”

Mark Anthony was absent in the presscon. Is it true he’s difficult on the set? “No, he has quirks, but I fully understand where he’s coming from. I was also with him in the last afternoon drama I did, ‘Little Star’. Wala siya rito kasi nag-taping din siya sa ‘I Heart You Pare’. But patapos na yung guest role niya roon so he’ll focus on ‘Munting Heredera’ na. Bata pa si Mark na member ng Guwapings, nakatrabaho ko na siya sa ‘Laklak’. We respect each other and I understand his personality kasi I know the heartaches he went through, his coming from a dysfunctional family. Not everyone, naiintindihan siya. Basta I always remind him na ayusin ang sarili niya.”