Status: Asthmatic.
Music: All My Loving – The Beatles
Remakes are Philippine television’s new trend. Be it a local movie, a Latin American telenovela or an Asian series — name it — as long as it’s appealing, either ABS-CBN2 or GMA7 will pick it up, lay it on the table and turn it into something horrible. Well, not always.
I don’t know where I stand exactly on this. These remakes may not be very healthful for our media industries — I mean, come on, we can come up with something brilliantly original. In fact, we already have — but hey, it’s really interesting to anticipate how they will improve or mess up the original concept. The most exciting part on the part of the viewers is to see if the new cast can actually match that of the original.
Here are some of the remakes yet to hit our boobtubes and the rumoured actors / actresses to play the lead roles, along with my comments and suggestions.
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RUBI (ABS-CBN)
Country of Origin: Mexico
Plot: Rubí is a beautiful, charismatic young woman from a working-class background. She is studying at a university because of her sister’s great efforts. Rubí is best friends with Maribel, a wealthy young woman with a small defect in her leg. Rubí eventually meets Maribel’s boyfriend Hector and his best friend Alejandro. A much darker truth lies inside of Rubí. She is driven by a dark ambition that will stop at nothing to get what she wants, and what she wants is to escape from poverty and be wealthy.
Who? Who? Who?
They say: Angelica Panganiban, Wendy Valdez, Alessandra de Rossi
I say: Kristine Hermosa. Angelica or Alex would be great, too, but I can really imagine Kristine Hermosa as Rubi, ang bidang kontrabida. Kristine has been typecast as a naive poor girl whose face is always mistaken for a kitchen sink by her antagonists. It’s time for the vengeance of the century and a career makeover. But puhleaze, more acting workshops for her! But heck, she’s so right for this role. I’m more excited to see this one than Betty La Fea.
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MY GIRL (ABS-CBN)
Country of origin: South Korea
Plot: Jasmine is an imposter, proficient in English, Chinese, and Japanese, while Julian is the second generation heir of a big corporation. Because of his grandfather’s illness, he is forced to ask Jasmine to act as his long-lost cousin so that his grandfather’s last wish can be fulfilled. Therefore, they are both bound in a lie so that no-one in the family knows the truth.
Who? Who? Who?
They say: Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson
I say: Maja Salvador or Toni Gonzaga. I like Kim but I just wish she could act. Maja and Toni act a whole lot better and I’m sure either could pull off a swindler role. If their only basis for casting Kim is that she’s chinita (thus matching the Oriental cheverness of the project), come on, that’s so shallow. But then again, Kimerald has a massive fan base. Ratings matter.
For Julian, I really think that Zanjoe Marudo is the top man for the job. Sam Milby would be good, too. Hey, Julian’s character doesn’t really require much acting.
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YO SOY BETTY, LA FEA (ABS-CBN)
Country of Origin: Colombia
Plot: Although Betty graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Economy and has a Master’s degree in Finance, and speaks both English and French fluently, she has been unable to secure an interview in any job because, as she claims, her ugly picture ruins her otherwise impressive resume. Tired of her unsuccessful search for a job that would match her education and experience, she decides to apply for a job as secretary to the president of a fashion design company called Eco Moda.
Who? Who? Who?
They say: Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, KC Concepcion or Bea Alonzo
I say: Bea Alonzo. Regine is too old. Sarah is too young. KC is too rich (hehehe). Besides, an “ugly” role is no stranger to Bea. She portrayed Katrina Argos, an unattractive geek, on Kaytagal Kang Hinintay, albeit for a very short period. (Katrina bloomed eventually into a beautiful law student.) Bea is perfect for the role. Perfect.
*images courtesy of peyups.com, pinoyexchange.com and pep.ph
**plots courtesy of wikipedia Viewed 1080 times by 342 visitors this month