Direk Mac Alejandre's Comes Up With An Endearing Romcom In 'Replacement Bride'

DIRECTOR MAC Alejandre succeeds in coming up with an endearing comedy of errors in “The Replacement Bride” that will be shown tomorrow night on TV5’s “Studio 5 Original Movies” at 8 PM. It works because his lead stars both give very winning performances. Jasmine Curtis Smith is Chyna while Daniel Matsunaga is Kael. Chyna is enamoured with her best friend (Edgar Allan Guzman) but she can’t express what she really feels for him. On the day of his wedding to a girl he met in the States, she rushes to the church and shouts: “Itigil ang kasal”. When the bride and the groom turn their heads to look at her, it turns out to be a different couple, Daniel and Arci Munoz. Arci is indignant, slaps Daniel and hurriedly leaves the church.

Chyna is so embarrassed. Kael then forces her to help him explain to his bride that she just made a mistake. But things get from bad to worse. When Arci goes home to their province, Kael compels Chyna to follow her and it’s easy to see where things will go from here. All the cast members deliver very fine performances. Arci shines in that restaurant scene where she tearfully tells Kael: “Alam nating hindi na ako ang nandiyan sa puso mo.” Daniel is also very effective in this touching dramatic scene.

Jasmine proves at 19 that she’s really the better actress between her and her Ate Anne. She’s just so natural in front of the camera and never makes a false move. Daniel really has the looks of a matinee idol fans would swoon for. The problem is he’s forever stuck in balikbayan roles since he can’t speak fluent Tagalog. Also giving excellent support are Edgar Allan as Jasmine’s original object of affection, Via Antonio as Jasmine’s hilarious and supportive friend and Jaime Fabregas and Vangie Labalan as Jasmine’s doting grandparents.