DINGDONG DANTES and Marian Rivera are co-producing their own sitcom, “Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa” with GMA and APT Entertainment.
Dongyan fans who’ve long been requesting them to be back together on screen are surely pleased by this new show as their last show as a couple was ten years ago.
“This is the first time we’re this involved in the production of our show,” says Dingdong.
“And we’d like to thank GMA and APT for the respect and importance they give us. They always ask our opinion, like who are the stars we want to be guesting in the show.
"We chose to do a sitcom kasi nag-drama na kami before, nag-fantasy, nag-action, so this time, comedy naman for the whole family.”
They play a husband and wife named Jose and Maria in the story. The material is inspired by a series of short videos they did during the pandemic which they titled “Jose & Maria”. It was a hit online garnering millions of views.
“With this, we discovered another aspect ng samahan namin, both professional and personal, which we both believe na puede naming ma-elevate to a bigger platform like this show on television,” adds Dong.
“Ang setting is an old house kung saan maraming mangyayari at dun iikot ang kuwento,” says Marian. “Marami ring iba pang funny characters na makikilala sa story.
"Na-miss ko ring umarte kasi since the pandemic kasi ayoko ng lock in taping dahil hindi ko maiiwan ang mga anak namin. What I do is host the show, ‘Tadhana’.”
It helped that restrictions have been relaxed for them to work again on cam.
“Yes, now, hindi na kami lock in taping, although we’re still very careful to make sure we’re all safe. And tuwing may taping kami, our parents help us in looking after our two kids.
"I’m really happy with our show kasi nakakapag-bonding kaming dalawa nang husto, nagkukulitan kami sa taping. Sabi nga namin, ang bait talaga ni Lord sa amin. We prayed na magkasama kami at heto, binigay Niya. For the first time din, makikita ng mga tao si Dong na nagko-comedy.”
Dingdong says it’s his wife who acted as an acting coach for him.
“Kasi siya, sanay na sa comedy like in ‘Sunday Pinasaya’ noong araw. Nahirapan ako noong araw kasi mas sanay talaga ako sa drama at sa action. But after a while, nakuha ko rin naman, thanks to my personal coach.”
“Wala naman siyang dapat ikabahala kasi may talent naman siya for comedy,” says Marian.
“Panoorin nyo ang show namin and find out for yourself. Kasi ako, natatawa ako kapag pinapanood ko siya. Mukhang natural comedian siya at nakakatawa rin ang mga sitwasyon sa show namin.”
The show will start airing this Saturday, May 14, replacing “Agimat ng Agila”. Also in the cast are Benjie Paras, Mike Nacua, Shamaine Buencamino, Pinky Amador, Jamir Zabarte, Zonia Mejia, Johnny Revilla, Hershey Neri and Edwin Serrano, under the direction of John Lapus.
