The cast of GMA Network’s “Pamilya Roces” (from left): Gabbi Garcia, Shaira Diaz, Jasmine Curtis Smith, Carla Abellana, Sophie Albert, Manolo Pedrosa, Andre Paras, Rocco Nacino. | Photo by Jed Aries Yu
“PAMILYA Roces” is not your typical family story. It is challenging, interesting, and realistic.
This was how the stars of GMA Network’s latest primetime offering described their project during a press conference held October 26 at the Golden Cowrie in barangay Lahug, Cebu City.
For one, the series does not only focus on one family, Gabbi Garcia said.
“It involves three families with other branches. We are all in this one cluster na magulo. I think it is relatable to everybody whose families na not so normal. Not in a bad way ha. Not so normal po,” Garcia she told members of Cebu’s Entertainment Group.
Garcia plays Jade Roces, younger sister of Crystal Rose Roces-Javellana, portrayed by Carla Abellana.
Both Jade and Crystal are from the legal family. Their mother Natalia Austria-Roces is played by Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz.
Roi Vinzon plays the rich patriarch, Rodolfo, founder of the Roces Group of Companies.
Garcia said she welcomes the opportunity to portray a character that is different from her previous roles.
“This time, with my role I can play around. Pwede kong i-attack at a different level. It is not like what I have done before na I am always the victim.
This time mas dominant and palaban. I am enjoying it so far. Natutuwa ako sa mga feedback,” she said.
Other “Pamilya Roces” stars who were present during the press conference were Abellana, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Rocco Nacino, Sophie Albert, Shaira Diaz, Andre Paras, and Manolo Pedrosa. They were in Cebu City last Friday for the Kapuso Mall Shows at Gaisano Island Mall Mactan and Gaisano Capital South.
Curtis-Smith described the story of “Pamilya Roces,” her first project with GMA Network since her transfer in April, as “interesting.”
“Ang maganda kasi hindi lang siya story ng first family na inagawan. So minsan, it is a whole episode ng first family, second, and third. May mga
puslit puslit ng other families just to give a background and context sa mga nararamdaman,” she said.
The award-winning actress plays Pearl Renacia, half-sister of Amethyst Roces, the character of Diaz.
Both come from the third family. Ana Roces plays Lily Renacia, their mother and Rodolfo’s true love.
Curtis-Smith said she has yet to become Pearl in real life.
“Kasi ‘yung pagiging Ate niya todo todo to the point na she’ll stand up and defend. Wala pa akong ganoon na incident with my younger brother. But what I can see the similarity, kailangan kong i-emulate ang pagka Ate ko,” she added.
Abellana, for her part, described the show as realistic.
“Kasi ngayon madami ng modern families, may step siblings ka na, may second family, may third family, at may half siblings ka na. So doon naman nag fo-focus. Kasi normally, napapanood natin sa teleserye, isang pamilya lang. ‘Yung kalaban nila ‘yung taga labas, outsider,” she added.
Abellana plays Crystal Rose Roces-Javellana, wife of Nacino’s character, Hugo Javellana.
Portraying Crystal Rose is a welcome change for the actress.
“I never played the role of someone or character na antipatika. First time ko po mag play ng role na hindi ganoon ka innocent or kawawa, inaapi.
Madalas, sanay po na ako po ang inaapi. Ako ‘yung kawawa at pinapaiyak. First time ko mag play ng role na ang sungit sungit ko po,” she said.
Just like Abellana, Nacino—who is known for doing dramatic roles—finds portraying Hugo a challenge especially that his character is funny.
“A transition from drama to comedy. That shift, I really had to take the clown in me and (be) mahirit because hindi naman ako (ganyan) dati. Ngayon, medyo nakukuha ko na ang pagiging Hugo kasi I like joking around lalo na when Andre (Paras) is around,” the 31-year-old actor explained.
The story of Crystal and Hugo has become complicated because of Amber Balocboc, Sophie Albert’s character.
Amber is the mistress of Hugo. She belongs to Rodolfo’s second family. Her mother is Violet Balocboc played by Elizabeth Oropesa.
She and Amber are poles apart, Albert said.
“Mahiyain ako. ‘Yung mga words na ginagamit ko in real life are different from the words of Amber. Pati pananalita nila iba. It is challenging. In the beginning, parang natatakot ako na para ba akong tanga sa sinasabi ko.
Hindi ako sure,” said the 28-year-old actress about her quirky and colorful character.
Directed by award-winning film and TV director Joel Lamangan, “Pamilya Roces” replaced the top-rating romantic comedy series “Inday Will Always Love” and aired its first episode on October 8.
