MMK stars, directors laud Kapamilya network’s efforts

The cast of July episodes of “Maalaala Mo Kaya”—Iza Calzado, Shamaine Buencamino, Heaven Peralejo, Karen Reyes and Zaijian Jaranilla—and directors Mae Cruz Alviar and Jerry Lopez Sineneng were one in praising ABS-CBN during a press conference on July 6.

Alviar admitted still feeling the pain brought by the non-renewal of the network’s franchise but had to move on. She considers being with the network as her motivation, feeling like a family and not only as a job. For Sineneng, the pain will not go away, but he thanks God for allowing the network to survive despite attempts to kill it.

“This is proof that the Lord takes care of the oppressed,” Sineneng said.

Calzado said the Kapamilya network is “not just surviving but also thriving despite the loss of franchise.”

She congratulated everybody in the network and expressed her amazement “at how the struggles were turned into strength, all for the industry.” She views being a Kapamilya as God-given. “This is where God has put me.” At this stage in her life, she said she no longer looks for changes.

Buencamino appreciated the fact that ABS-CBN “did not cut corners to assure the safety of the people involved.” As a simple actor, she said she is there where work is. Young stars Peralejo and Jaranilla shared that although they were “saddened and affected,” they still felt “happy for the network’s survival.”

Jaranilla stars in the Sineneng-directed “Loving To Care” (two episodes) which aired on the first two Saturdays of July. Calzado, Peralejo and Buencamino starred in the “Two Mothers” episode directed by Alviar. “Two Mothers” tackles mental health issues, something which both Calzado and Buencamino admitted were close to their hearts having had family members who had such conditions.

Should they share their life stories in MMK someday, director Senining said that his story will surely touch the hearts of viewers who will learn something from it too. Alviar said her life story is like a long romantic-comedy, with some scenes having foreign sceneries as backdrops.

“Two Mothers” will be shown on July 24. Another episode with Denise Laurel and Joem Bascon as leads will be shown on July 31.