Barbie Forteza and Derrick Monasterio
BARBIE Forteza and Derrick Monasterio, lead stars of GMA Network’s newest primetime series “Inday Will Always Love You” (IWALY) which premiered last Monday had nothing but fond memories of the shoot they did in Cebu.
The series’ pilot episode got a 9.5 percent rating compared to its rival which got 8.3%, according to NUTAM.
Its hashtag #IWALYBonggangPilot also trended on Twitter.
In a press conference last Saturday, both gushed at the pristine beauty of Bantayan Island, located 163 kilometers away from Cebu City.
Forteza said she fell in love with the island because of its white sand beach. It’s being relatively quiet and uncrowded makes it perfect for unwinding.
“Para kaming nag-field trip. Ewan ko kung good timing lang na walang masyadong tao kaya na enjoy namin ang time doon during the shoot,” the 20-year-old actress said.
She said that she will definitely come back to spend more time there.
“Babalik kami (with family) doon at magbakasyon. ‘Yung mas mahaba na,” she told Cebu’s entertainment press.
“We only stayed two to three days tapos lahat shoot. Ang layo niya. Sabi ko kapag babalik ako dito, bakasyon na. At least five days para sulit ang lugar.”
Just like Forteza, Monasterio’s favorite location during their shoot here in Cebu is Bantayan Island.
White sand beaches in Sta Fe Bantayan Island.(CDN PHOTO/TD)
“Ang ganda kasi ng beaches sa Cebu ‘eh. Sobrang underrated,” the 22-year-old actor said. He added that he also wants to visit Malapascua Island to experience thresher shark diving.
The cast also shot scenes in the 10,000 Roses Cafe in Cordova town, Temple of Leah and Sirao Flower Garden in Cebu City, among others.
“I’ve been here a couple of times but I haven’t been to the tourist spots here talaga. It was fun and at the same time a new experience for us,” the 22-year-old actor said.
The cast stayed for more than a week in Cebu, completing the first four weeks of the series and might return to Cebu to shoot more scenes, depending on how the series will be received.
Stronger as friends
“Inday Will Always Love You” is a reunion project for Monasterio and Forteza who last worked together on television in 2014 for the afternoon series, “The Half Sisters.”
IWALY is the story of Happylou (Forteza), a young daughter who moves to Cebu from Manila to work as a lechonera, as well as look for her father.
She will meet Patrick (Monasterio), a rich Cebuano bachelor who is engaged to Erica (Kim Rodriguez). Erica will make
Happylou’s life miserable together with Hersheys and Kisses played by “Lumen Twins” Charlotte and Charisse Hermoso.
Since Monasterio plays a Cebuano in the series, he had to learn to speak Cebuano lines. How did he adjust?
“It’s hard kasi it’s so far from Tagalog. Hindi mo malalaman kung pakikinggan mo lang. Kahit the intonation, pag sinabi mo hindi mo malalaman na ‘yun na pala ang sagot sa tanong,” he said.
What Cebuano word or phrase has he learned so far?
“Gihigugma tika,” he said while facing Forteza.
The two, however, have remained good friends despite being paired with each other for several projects already.
”I think we are stronger as friends,” said Forteza.
“Cute naman. Hindi siya hadlang sa friendship naming dalawa which is good kasi ‘yun naman ang fear ko dati na ‘pag ni-level up namin tapos mag-aaway, hindi na kami mag-uusap forever. Mas pangit ‘yun di ba? Ngayon, sobrang okey kami,” she added.
Did they ever date?
“Napag-usapan ba natin na date ‘yun?” Forteza asked Monasterio.
Monasterio replied, “Date na rin ‘yun. Nag withdraw ako ‘eh. Magkano?”
“P500!” Forteza replied, with a laugh.
The series is directed by Monti Parungao and Rember Gelera and produced by GMA News and Public Affairs.
Forteza said this is her first time to work on a TV series for GMA News and Public Affairs for a TV series.
“I think mas conscious sila sa mga facts since known po ang GMA Public Affairs for good research and great visuals, well-thought-out concepts, mas detalyado,” she said.
The series also stars Ricky Davao, Nova Villa, Gladys Reyes, Juancho Triviño, Manilyn Reynes, Tina Paner, Kimpoy Feliciano, Buboy Villar, and fliptop artists Mzhayt and Price Tagg.