9 minute read
COVER
Modern fairy tale unfolds on GMA Network’s romanticcomedy series
First Yaya 8:00 PM | GMA 7
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Asimple woman leads an extraordinary life as the nanny of the President’s children and along the way, romance blooms.
THE STORY
Award-winning actor Gabby Concepcion and talented Kapuso actress Sanya Lopez star in this modern fairy tale. Melody Reyes (Sanya) is an OFW and a loving daughter who’s willing to sacrifice everything for her family. Years later, she rescues a child from an accident not knowing that the latter’s father is the incumbent Vice President of the Philippines, the widower Glenn Acosta (Gabby). Life takes an unexpected turn when Melody becomes the nanny of the children of Glenn, who will later assume presidency. Will social and familial obstacles and struggles come between the budding relationship between Yaya Melody and President Glenn?
THE CAST
Gabby reveals how everyone on set has formed a genuine camaraderie, “First time ko makakasama ang lahat ng cast, kaya maganda itong First Yaya kasi maraming ‘firsts’ na nangyari dito. Akala ko mahihirapan ako makipag-usap sa mga tao, but it turns out na lahat nag-blend at nagjive. Maganda ang chemistry namin.”
The beautiful Kapuso actress shares how she approached the role of Yaya Melody, “Bago kasi sa akin ang rom-com, si Direk LA [Madridejos] ang nag-introduce sa akin kung paano siya atakihin at may movies na pinapanood siya para makatulong sa akin. Pero sinabi nga sa akin ni Direk LA, maging ikaw lang, kahit wala ka ng ibang gagayahin, ‘wag kang umarte at ikaw na si Yaya Melody.” After a series of training sessions and seminars for his role as PSG Conrad Enriquez, the brooding and loyal member of the Presidential Security Team who falls deeply in love with Yaya Melody, versatile Kapuso actor Pancho Magno shares that he has gained a deeper level of respect for PSG members, “Iba rin talaga ‘yung respect ko, syempre sa mga yaya natin na kasama sa house, pati na rin sa mga miyembro ng PSG na may sarili ring pinagdadaanan in their lives. Pinipili nilang magsakripisyo not only for our leaders pero para sa country din talaga.”
Playing an important role in the primetime soap is seasoned actress Ms. Pilar Pilapil as Blesilda Acosta, Glenn’s wealthy and doting mother who will stop at nothing to make sure her son becomes the most powerful man in the country.
Next Generation Artists
Set to make their love team debut in their very first drama series together are Cassy Legaspi as Nina Acosta, the rebellious and eldest daughter of the President who initially rejects Yaya Melody; and promising Kapuso actor Joaquin Domagoso as Jonas, a student activist and critic of President Glenn who unintentionally falls for Nina.
President Glenn’s circle
Gardo Versoza as Luis Prado, the incumbent Speaker of the House and President Glenn’s foe disguised as an ally; Maxine Medina as Lorraine Prado, Glenn’s feisty coworker who is determined to be the First Lady at all costs; Kakai Bautista as Pepita, the dining manager at the Presidential Reception house who makes life difficult for Yaya Melody; Cai Cortez as Norma, President Glenn’s trusted maid who becomes Yaya Melody’s confidante; Thou Reyes as Yessey, President Glenn’s overbearing but loveable millennial chiefof-staff; Hailey Mendes as Charlie, best friend of Jonas who secretly fancies him; Patricia Coma as Nicole Acosta, President Glenn’s second daughter who instantly likes Yaya Melody; Clarence Delgado as Nathan, President Glenn’s middle child who is often the mediator between Nina and Nicole; Thia Thomalla as PSG Val Canete, boyish security detail primarily assigned to President Glenn’s children who is not aware of her beauty; Jon Lucas as Titus de Villa, Speaker Luis’ most trusted right-hand man; Glenda Garcia as Marni Tupaz, a veteran political reporter who is often critical of President Glenn.
The Reyes Family
Sandy Andolong as Edna Reyes, Melody’s mother who is an emotional wreck and believes in all things practical; Buboy Garovillo as Florencio Reyes, Melody’s father with whom she shares the strongest filial bond; Analyn Barro as Gemrose Reyes, Melody’s sister who is often at odds with her; Anjo Damiles as Jasper, Melody’s first boyfriend who eventually breaks her heart; and Jerrick Dolormente as Lloyd Reyes, Melody’s youngest sibling who is very supportive of her.
Special roles
First Yaya also features the special participation of Ms. Boots Anson-Roa and Ms. Jean Garcia. Completing the all-star cast with special guest roles are: Andre Paras, Allen Dizon, Frances MakilIgnacio, Tommy Abuel, Kiel Rodriguez, Mikoy Morales, Issa Litton, Lovely Rivero,
Jenzel Angeles, Murielle Lomadilla, Wilma Doesnt, Atak, Cecile Paz, Michael Roy, Dennis Marasigan, Rollie Inocencio, Nicki Morena, Julius Miguel, Isabel Frial, Chinggay Datu, Lourdes Conde Serrano.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
This original series, created by the GMA Entertainment Group, is headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria, and Executive Producer Joy Lumboy-Pili.
First Yaya is under the helm of esteemed director LA Madridejos and associate director Rechie del Carmen. It is a product of the visionary minds of Concept Creators Jojo Tawasil Nones and Marlon G. Miguel; Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Creative Head Dode Cruz; Creative Consultant Kit Villanueva-Zapata; Headwriter Jojo Tawasil Nones; Senior Writers Marlon G. Miguel, Christine Badillo-Novicio, and Obet Villela; and Junior brainstormer Jai Shane Canete.
The series also showcases the famous and historic Manila Hotel as one of its taping locations.
DREAM GIRL
TEXT BY CHERRY SUN PHOTOS BY MICHAEL PAUNLAGUI
First Yaya lead star Sanya Lopez reflects on the charmless past that she was born into, the hard knocks that tested her resolve, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that became her ticket to the life that she only used to dream about.
GETTING BY THE MARGINS
Sanya, or Shaira Lenn Osuna Roberto in real life, did a lot of moving around, transferring from one province to another in search of a home, during her growing up years.
She never met her dad who passed away when she was just two years old. And making ends meet in the midst of life’s hitches meant living away from her mom and her brother, Jak Roberto.
“Dumating sa point na ako nasa Bulacan, kuya ko nasa Laguna, mommy ko nasa Manila, nagke-caregiver,” she recalls. “’Yung kuya ko nag-aaral ng college sa Santa Cruz, Laguna. Ako naman nag-aaral ako ng high school dito sa Bulacan.
Sanya aimed to be a nurse, thinking the job would help her family rise from poverty. She also thought of becoming a chef, a passion borne out of hours in the kitchen cooking up whatever their measly budget afforded her and her lola.
In the rare times she would get to travel to Manila, she would find herself passing by the walls of GMA Network and marveling at the gigantic billboards of Kapuso celebrities. That always piqued her curiosity, and she began to dream.
Sanya admits, “Kapag nadadaanan ko ’yung GMA Network kapag lumuluwas kami, sabi ko nung bata ako, ‘Ano kaya ang itsura ng loob ng GMA?’ May ganun ako. Ang dami kasing artistang may tarpaulin, billboard.”
A series of fortunate events followed soon after. She visited Jak at the nowdefunct variety show Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman, where she was eventually discovered by the starmaker himself, German “Kuya Germs” Moreno.
Sanya started living her dream.
TAKING CONTROL
“‘Mag-artista na ba talaga ako? Ito na ba talaga ’yung gusto ko mangyari?’ Ganun na ’yung nasa isip ko. Inisip ko rin ’yung pagaaral ko, paano na? Kasi siyempre sayang.
Sanya was, after all, in the honor’s roll in her second year of high school when she decided to pursue showbiz. She tried her best to make her schedules work. She’d pack her things for taping, bring them to school, then take the bus to Quezon City after her classes had been dismissed. This was her routine until she graduated from high school and decided to commit to showbiz full time.
Her patience and sacrifices eventually paid off. She started taking on bit parts in GMA shows like Prinsesa ng Buhay Ko (2013), Dormitoryo (2013), Magdalena (2012-2013), and The Half Sisters (2015). She became a household name when she breathed life into Danaya in the retelling of the hit fantasy series Encantadia in 2016.
“My Lola is my life’s inspiration. ”
- Sanya Lopez, IG
BUILDING HER DREAMS
Her life might have drastically changed since but a big part of Sanya remains the same.
She continues to be a risk-taker. And she steadily works on her dreams.
Less than five years into stardom, Sanya has headlined her own drama series and a film. She has also scored endorsements, and sashayed her way to stints for various fashion shows and photo shoots.
Asked about how she sees herself in the next five years, her face swells with light and hope.
“I have my own business. I have my own house, siguro houses. Wow, houses! Siguro may boyfriend naman na ako nun, ’no? (laughs) Nakakatawa pero, siguro ano pa?” she teases herself.
“I’m very happy na with my family, mommy ko and kuya ko. May time na kami na magbakasyon na magkakasama. Nagbabakasyon siguro kami noon by that time. Stable na kami, feeling ko,” she smiles with content as she predicts the future. With all the unexpected yet beautiful twists in her life, Sanya keeps being humble, but she doesn’t forget to give herself a pat on the back for all the good and the right things that she has done.
She tells her old self, “‘Little Shai, ang lakas ng loob mo na kinaya mo ’yung mga ganitong bagay at a younger age. May mga pagsubok na siyempre hindi ganun kadali, pero ang importante nalagpasan mo ’yun. ’Tsaka nakuha mo ’yung mga bagay nang wala kang inapakang kahit sino mang tao at nagpakatotoo ka sa sarili mo.’”
She doesn’t intend to slow down nor doubt and second-guess herself anymore. She takes responsibility of all her chances and blessings, the power which was once elusive from her.
She cheers herself on, “‘Hindi pa dito nagtatapos ang pangarap. Marami ka pang kailangang tuparin. Marami ka pang malalaman, matututunan sa buhay mo. Basta wag kang mapagod. Darating ’yan pero daanan mo lang, ’wag mo tambayan. Kaya mo ‘yan. Pagsubok lang ’yan, sabi nga nila. Kaya mo ’yan, lakasan mo lang loob mo. May tiwala ako sa ’yo.’”
Taken from Kapuso Profiles of www.gmanetwork.com. You may read the full article by scanning this code: https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/ kapusoprofiles/news/38/sanya-lopez-dream-girl/kapusoprofiles
