RYZA CENON and Rhen Escano have worked together before in the horror film, “Rooftop”, where an avenging ghost kills them both.
They now get to work together again in “Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko” and they’re glad that this time, it’s a romantic drama about love and marriage.
“It’s also about friendship,” says Ryza. “Friends kami rito nina Rhen and Coleen Garcia at iba-iba ang aming kanya-kanyang kuwento ng pag-ibig, as based on the best selling book by Marcelo Santos.”
So what is her role?
“I play Sandy, the only one who’s married sa barkada namin. Ako yung parang nanay sa group namin na parang voice of wisdom sa mga problema namin.
"But maaga akong nag-asawa kasi nabuntis ako ng boyfriend ko, si Kiko Estrada as Derrick.”
What she doesn’t know is that her husband is an incorrigible womanizer.
“As a married couple, yun ang problema namin, the infidelity of my husband. Pinatawad ko na, pero umuulit pa rin.
"So ang dilemma ko, until when are you willing to forgive your erring husband?”
How about Rhen, what is her role in the series?
“Ako naman po si Georgina, isang fashion designer,” she replies. “Boyfriend ko si Jerome Ponce as Mark.
"He got an offer to work in Canada for one year. Siempre, ako naman, very encouraging.
"Ako pa nagsabi sa kanya na you should go, it’s for your growth in your career. Hindi namin alam, magiging test pala yun sa relationship namin.”
They soon discover that being in a long distance relationship is not that easy to maintain.
“Hindi naman namalayan, we are slowly drifting apart from each other.
"Iba kasi talaga kapag nandiyan lang ang presence ng bawat isa at hindi yung magkalayo.
"Things got more complicated when he gets an offer to stay in Canada for good.
"E, ako naman, hindi ko maiwan ang sarili kong career dito sa ating bansa.”
Both Ryza and Rhen say that lots of viewers will be able to relate with the situations portrayed in this series about the ups and downs in relationships.
“Makikita nila yung sarili nila sa mga sitwasyong pinagdaraanan namin,” adds Ryza.
The series is directed by Carlo Catu, an indie film director best known for award winning films “My Life with the King” and “Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon”.
Didn’t Ryza have any second thoughts working with a newbie director?
“No, kasi my partner, Miguel, who’s a cinematographer told me na magaling si Direk Carlo,” she says.
“So tinanggap ko agad ito. Also, it’s exciting to work with new young directors who contribute fresh ideas to our craft, kaya abangan nyo ang ‘Kung Hindi Lang Tayo Sumuko’ streaming soon on Viva One.”