VIEWERS OF ‘MANO PO Legacy: The Family Fortune” seem to be enjoying the nasty encounters between the characters of Maricel Laxa as Valerie Lim, the mistress of Edison Chan (who is already dead when the series starts) and Sunshine Cruz as Cristine Chan, Edison’s sister, and also Almira Muhlach as Elizabeth Chan, Edison’s first and legal wife.
“Viewers tells me that they love it kapag nagbabangayan yung characters namin in the story because of our power struggle,” says Maricel.
“Sa confrontations namin, kung minsan, si Sunshine ang panalo at kung minsan naman, ako. But bilog ang mundo so, both sides, may times na panalo, may times na talo. First time for me to play an antagonist and I'm enjoying it.”
She wants thank Regal, their writers, and Director Ian Lorenos for coming up with a good drama series.
“Yes, we have to give credit to the scriptwriters kasi panalo yung mga hirit nila sa palitan namin ni Sunshine ng dialogue. Kahit akala mo tapos na yung exchange of lines between us, may pabaon pa pala. Kung minsan nga, ayaw namin ni Sunshine na tapusin ang eksena kasi nag-e-enjoy pa kami.”
Sunshine agrees and says she also enjoys working with Maricel because they help bring out the best in each other when they are doing scenes together.
“It’s a great privilege to work with Maricel and I really look forward to do our confrontation scenes with each other dahil enjoy raw ang viewers kapag nagtatarayan kami,” Sunshine adds.
“Magaling siya, so macha-challenge ka to be on your toes and also give your best in front of the camera. Nakakabuhay ng dugo ang mga bangayan namin. Working in this drama show, we also get the chance to be friends and know each other better.
"We might seem hostile in our scenes but off cam, we’re really friends who are enjoying each other’s company.”
Maricel says that when they were younger as Regal Babies, people mistake them for each other.
“Yes, palaging sinasabing magkamukha kami noon. Minsan, people talk to me na akala, ako si Sunshine. So now, I’m really enjoying learning more about her life, her passion for acting, her love for her family.
"I admire yung pagiging single mom niya na talagang ipinaglalaban niya ang three daughters niya. Tapos, she is also very active in her acting career na nagagawa niya nang maayos. There is so much to admire in her at ngayon, hindi talaga sasama ang loob ko at hindi ako mapapahiya kahit sabihing kamukha ko si Sunshine.
"I’m really happy we’re given the chance to work together in ‘Mano Po Legacy’ at thankful din kami kasi tinatangkilik siya ng viewers every night.”
Sunshine says she also wants to acknowledge the good work of Boots Anson Roa as their mother, and their younger co-stars like Barbie Forteza, Rob Gomez, David Licauco, Nikki Co, Dustin Yu, David Chua and Darwin Yu.
“We have a good cast, everyone is nice and professional, and we all collaborate well to come up with a good show every night,” she says.
And now, the good news is that “Mano Po Legacy” will now be seen on an earlier timeslot starting this Monday, February 7.
“Yes, from 9:35 PM po, ililipat kami sa 8:50 PM after yung show ni Heart Evangelista,” says Maricel. “So those who say na late na kami pumapasok, heto po may chance na kayo to watch us in our earlier time slot.”
