SOFIA PABLO gets her biggest break playing the title role of “Raya Sirena”, a seven-part mini-series to be shown every Sunday.
This was first shown as a single episode in “Regal Presents” with her ka-love team, Allen Ansay as her leading man, Gavin. It rated very high and the feed back is so positive. so Regal and GMA decided to further develop it and expand the story.
“I’m really thankful and honored for this big break kasi andaming ibang love teams pero kami ang pinagkatiwalaan nilang gawing bida in this project,” she says.
“Our team is called Team Jolly kasi we’re both very jolly raw and we’re so happy that Team Jolly is given its chance to shine. Parang birthday gift nila ito sa akin kasi I’m turning 16 on April 10.”
What does she think is the reason why her love team with Allen attracted so many fans?
“Even Allen and I don’t really know. Nung first time pa lang na kunan kami ng screen test, sabi agad nila, may nakikita sila sa amin kahit wala naman kaming ginagawa kundi nagtitinginan lang kami.
"Kaya nang gawin namin ang ‘Raya Sirena’ sa ‘Regal Presents’, nagulat kami that it became a toprating episode.”
Regal executive Roselle Monteverde has her own explanation why their love team clicks.
“Maganda ang combination and chemistry nila,” says Roselle.
“Malakas din ang kilig factor nila and they’re both very dedicated and passionate sa careers nila, so we’re sure malayo ang mararating nila in the business. Ang cute nila at ang sarap panoorin together on screen.”
“Raya Sirena” is directed by Crisanto Aquino of the award-winning 2019 Metro Filmfest movie, “Write to Love”.
Supporting Sofia and Pablo in the series are comebacking actress Shirley fuentes as Helga, Raya’s cunning and scheming aunt; Gerald Pesigan and Shecko Apostol as the best friends of Allen, Jana Francine and Ayeesha Cervantes as Helga’s daughters, Mika Reins as the friend of Raya, Juan Carlos Galano as the guardian of the high seas, Elias Point as Allen’s cousin and Saviour Ramos as a siokoy or merman who is Raya’s guide in the sea and who’s also in love with her and becomes Allen’s rival.
The whole group of cast and crew will be going to Bataan to do a week of lock in taping in a resort there where they will shoot all the beach and underwater scenes. How did Sofia prepare for the swimming scenes?
“Ang preparation ko is for the shoot sa Bataan kasi I have to be healthy and strong all throughout our stay there,” she says.
“Kasi, maraming outside scenes sa dagat and it’s the middle of summer kaya nakatirik ang araw, so we have to prepare for that.
"Sa swimming, not much preparation kasi ever since I was a little girl, I do mermaid swimming na kaya, sanay na ako mag-swim ng may buntot.
"I just pray na panoorin sana at suportahan talaga ng viewers itong ‘Raya Sirena’ as a mini-series kasi ito ang biggest break namin ni Allen Ansay and our Team Jolly.”
Don’t miss “Raya Sirena” when it starts airing on April 24 at 3 PM on GMA-7.
