Director Joel Lamangan stages Pagoda Tragedy for a New Soap

DIRECTOR JOEL LAMANGAN is back on TV after doing two acclaimed films, “Deadline” and “Patikul”. He megs “Pahiram ng Isang Ina” that replaces “Blusang Itim” on GMA-7’s Dramarama sa Hapon starting Monday. Joel is a favorite of both producers and stars as he’s a very fast and organized worker. “Masarap talaga katrabaho si Direk Joel kasi di ka mapupuyat sa kanya,” says Bea Binene who plays the lead in “Pahiram ng Isang Ina”. “Di siya gaya sa ibang director na magdamagan na ang taping.”

But the soap’s opening scene is an expensive one that took Direk Joel all day to tape. This is a fluvial parade shot on the Pagsanjan River in Laguna where the parents of Bea, played by Sharmaine Arnaiz and Gerard Pizarras, drown in the Pagoda tragedy that happens. It's reminiscent of the real life accident at the Bocaue River several years ago where many people died. “Mahirap at madugong gawin but it’s all worth it para maganda ang opening ng aming show,” says Direk Joel. “First time ko to work with the young stars here na sina Bea and Jake Vargas, also Carmina Villaroel, Antonio Aquitania, Shyr Valdez and other stars. I’m glad maganda agad ang working relationship namin so far. This is a family drama and many scenes will touch the hearts of the viewers.”