HEAVEN PERALEJO got rave reviews for her performance as the sugar baby who fights for her life in the thriller “Nanahimik ang Gabi.”
She now has a follow up project with Viva One, “The Rain in Espana”, a ten-episode mini-series to start streaming on May 1. This is based on the hit University Series of novels on Wattpad written by Gwy Saludes.
Heaven says she has not moved to Viva yet. Officially, she’s still with Star Magic.
“But I auditioned for my role as Luna Valeria in ‘The Rain in Espana’ and I’m so grateful na ako ang napili kasi I read the book at malapit si Luna sa puso ko,” she says.
This early, those who have read the book are asking how faithful they are to the original novel.
“We remained generally faithful to the book, but we have to change some details kasi iba naman ang binabasa mo lang sa book sa napapanood mo on the screen,” she adds.
“But yung essence, yung strength ng character ni Luna as a woman, nandun pa rin yun. Also the other characters and the great friendship among them.”
The show’s director, Ted Boborol, says they had to make the necessary changes as a mini-series is so different as book as it’s a very visual medium compared to the written word.
“I’ve read the comments of netizens and we assure them that we stayed through to the original material,” he adds.
“The writer, Gwy Saludes, is always there with us and we consult her every time. We don’t make changes without her approval.”
Is Ms. Saludes satisfied with the outcome? “Yes, I’ve seen eight episodes and I’m satisfied with them. I have no complaints at all.”
Heaven as Luna in the story is an architecture student in UST.
She has feelings for an Ateneo student, Kalix Martinez, who comes from a family of doctors but now wants to be a lawyer.
He is played by Marco Gallo. Heaven and Marco have already worked together as housemates in Pinoy Big Brother.
Together, they will go through various emotional experiences in this coming-of-age story, journeying into adulthood with a keen sense of adventure.
They will be going steady but break up later, then meet again some years later when they’re already both working professionals, with Kalix being hired as legal consultant in the company where Heaven works.
Their love story is full so many “kilig” romantic moments that will surely make viewers fall in love.
Also with them in the show’s big cast are Gab Lagman as Sevi, Bea Binene as Via, Krissha Viaje as Yanna, Nicole Omillo as Kierra, Aubrey Caraan as Sam, Gabby Padilla as Amethyst, Andre Yllana as Adonis, Frost Sandoval as Leo, and Francis Magundayao as Miguel. Don’t miss it on Viva one this May 1.
