Scoops from the set, and some upbeat vibes from the cast

As the taping for TV5's grandest production Sa Ngalan ng Ina goes full-blast, no less loud is the buzz of anticipation that this Mario O'Hara opus will take the televiewers to a new high in primetime entertainment worthy of the most exquisite cinematic experience. 


Poster Layout: Bernie Placido



 For one thing, Sa Ngalan ng Ina features the Superstar in a role poised to prove once and for all why she's the country's greatest actress. As she portrays a widowed governor and a stepmother coping with an array of intrigues both in the political and domestic fronts, the excitement is in sync with her refurbished showbiz reign fresh from her return from an eight-year stay in the US. (Click here to read more.)

Not surprising that Ms. Nora Aunor's costars are in chorus with awe-struck anxiety about sharing scenes with her. Even though their thespic skills have been proven by their trophies as Best Actress, Rosanna Roces (who plays contravida to Aunor's character) and Eugene Domingo (who portrays the role of Aunor's feisty sister) have made it known why they are thrilled to fandom in the face of the Superstar's artistry. (Click here and here for more details.)

The young members of the cast, particularly Ian de Leon and Edgar Allan Guzman, have also won acting awards just like Christopher de Leon and Bembol Roco (the two powerful men in the life of Aunor's character). Nevertheless, they are also feeling the pressure of measuring up to her standard. (Click here and here to read more.)

Will the the miniseries primed as trendsetting in Philippine television live up to expectation? Let's wait and see when it starts airing this October. Meanwhile, hereunder are two recent coverages on the set of Sa Ngalan ng Ina:

Larger than television

It will be more like a film than a boob-tube fare. Or so revealed Benedict Mique, the head writer of Mario O'Hara's upcoming TV7  miniseries Sa Ngalan ng Ina topbilled by Ms. Nora Aunor.

When reached for comment by this blog's moderator, Mique replied, "If you are a fan of HBO series, parang ganun ang style nito, mas film ang approach ng script at mounting ni direk." As headwriter, Mique says "the challenge is to make all the characters relevant sa story at the same time to make twist and turns that are different from other soaps logical. The creative team is composed of writers from different background and influence so making characters that are not in the usual mode of soap operas was a welcome treat."

Regarding Ms. Nora's role as a grieving widow in search of justice for her assassinated husband and as governor in a province wracked by political turmoil, Mique said: "It was not hard to make a character for Ms. Nora Aunor because we know whatever we make she can pull off. Ibig sabihin walang limitation and, actually, kami ang naging cautious dahil baka hindi enough ang binibigay namin sa kanya, given that she's a great actress."

First day of taping

Still in her element, Ms. Nora Aunor shows her thespic magic in her first day of shooting for the political drama Sa Ngalan ng Ina, a TV5 miniseries helmed by ace director Mario O'Hara. As reported, the Superstar and the rest of the cast are set to treat primetime televiewers with a landmark production. (Click here and here for more details.)

Here's a clip taken from the Paparazzi show for a glimpse of the Sa Ngalan ng Ina set in Taal, Batangas.

Sneak peek: story conference and cast pictorial

Now that the cameras are rolling for the highly-hyped TV5 miniseries Sa Ngalan ng Ina, with a grandiose cast topbilled by Ms. Nora Aunor, the challenge is getting more fervid to exceed the expectations of the Superstar's legion of fans and lovers of quality primetime entertainment.

So far, so fine-- if the enthusiasm of the cast and the creative team is any indication. Hereunder are snippets from the recent story conference and pictorial session where the cast members, director Mario O'Hara, and head writer Benedict Mique provide a teaser for viewers. Ian de Leon, who plays a pivotal character in the show along with his famous parents (Aunor and Christopher de Leon), also speaks his mind in a panel interview with TV5 Paparazzi hosts and reporters. (Warning: If video won't play, saying "Embedding disabled by request," just click either the "Watch on YouTube" instruction or the YouTube logo at the right bottom part of the video panel, and you're good to go. :-) 

Sumptuous plot details, delicious spoilers, & some other tidbits!

With the excitement over the upcoming TV5 miniseries Sa Ngalan ng Ina, the revelations by one of the show's supervising producers Jo-ann Bañaga have only whetted the appetite for Ms. Nora Aunor's comeback acting vehicle under the helm of award-winning director Mario O'Hara. Here's the transcript of Bañaga's interview with

Mell T. Navarro of PEP Magazine: 


The Superstar in fine form: Ready
for yet another great performance

 Ano'ng update sa Sa Ngalan ng Ina? 

"Ang mase-share kong news, ang maganda e, lumaki ang role ni Ian [de Leon], na supposedly ay si Ryan Agoncillo [ang gaganap]. Ngayon, si Ian ang nag-take place sa role ni Ryan. 



"Mas malaki na ang role ni Ian.  Ngayon, it's more on the story of the family—Nora, Boyet [Christopher de Leon's nickname], and Ian." Matatandaang nag-desisyon si Ryan na hindi na tumuloy sa serye dahil hindi nito kakayanin ng tight schedule niya. May Talentadong Pinoy and Eat Bulaga regular shows si Ryan, at malapit nang mag-shooting ng pang-MMFFP movie niyang My House Husband with wife, Judy Ann Santos.

"Ryan's role is super special 'coz in the end, you will know na lahat ng kaguluhan sa istorya, siya ang may kagagawan." Katiwala ba ni Nora ang role ni Ryan na napunta kay Ian? "Hindi siya katiwala," pagtutuwid ni Jo-ann.  "Magugulat ka.  Hindi siya ordinaryong tao. Kamag-anak siya ng isa sa kanila..."

Ano ba ang istorya ng Sa Ngalan Ng Ina?   

"It's a political drama na nagpakita ng lakas ng isang ordinaryong ina para patakbuhin ang isang bayan... isang buong bayan, isang buong lalawigan, hindi lang hacienda. Probinsiya ang setting.  Yung buong lalawigan, siya ang nagpatakbo. Only to find out na noong tinanggap niya ang offer to take over yung position nu'ng husband [Bembol Roco] — na nanalo siya. Then she finds out na hindi pala ganoon kadali yung gagawin niya. Na sa tangka niyang linisin ang buong lalawigan, she has to make a big sacrifice involving her own family.  Kasi, nakita niya yung mga tao na kinakain na ng sistema, ng pulitika.  Na ayaw niyang gawin. Para maituwid niya ang lahat ng pagkakamali ng asawa niya na dating nasa gobyerno,  kailangan niyang [gumawa] ng isang malaking sakripisyo."

Ano ang kaugnayan ng character ni Boyet sa character ni Nora sa istorya?

"Dati silang may relasyon, noong wala pa sila sa pulitika.  They were high-school sweethearts.  Matalino si Guy.  Si Boyet, ambisyoso.  Matalino rin si Boyet kasi naging abogado siya, e. Si Guy, lumuwas ng Maynila.  Mas matalino siya.  Naghanap siya ng mas malaking karunungan. Kaso, she ended up as a nurse.  Si Boyet ended up as a lawyer. Mas malaki ang ambisyon niya [at] nag-asawa siya ng isang herederang laki sa political family sa probinsiya. Tapos, si Guy, galing Manila, pagbalik niya ng probinsiya —nurse na siya — binalikan niya si Boyet. Hindi na available si Boyet, nakapag-asawa na — kay Osang [Rosanna Roces]. So, umalis siya sa sama ng loob.  Noong bumalik siya after five years, nagkita sila uli ni Boyet pero may asawa pa rin ito, si Osang pa rin, kaya lang, na-reveal na hindi maligaya si Boyet. They [Nora and Boyet] have a one-night stand.  After that, umalis uli si Ate Guy, pagbalik niya, may dala na siyang bata. Nakapag-asawa siya sa Maynila.

In other words, hindi sila nagkatuluyan noong bumalik siya.  Tapos, in the end, nagkaroon pa sila ng political rivalry.  Kasi, noong bumalik si Ate Guy, napangasawa niya yung vice mayor... Si Boyet, governor na. Kumandidato yung vice mayor, pero na-assassinate.  Si Ate Guy ang kinuha ng political party para mag-assume ng position.  Nagwagi si Ate Guy, kalaban niya sa pulitika si Boyet. Tumakbo uli as governor si Boyet pero natalo.Yun naman ang bago, may pagka-political ang kuwento..."

NORA LOOKALIKE. May naikuwento rin si Jo-ann na nakakatuwang scenario nang naganap ang official pictorial ng cast with top photographer Pancho Escalar, kamakailan lang. "Ang nakakatuwa, sa pictorial, nakaupo si Ate Guy na ganyan, may bandera [ng Pilipinas] sa likod niya, [at] kamukha niya si GMA [Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo]!" tawa niya.

Ano naman ang character ni Rosanna Roces?

Pinahirapan ni Osang ang buhay ni Ate Guy.  Kasi, ang gusto niya, ang asawa pa rin niya ang gobernador.  Political family kasi si Osang, e.  Gusto niya, pamilya pa rin niya ang may hawak noon."

Nai-share rin ni Jo-ann ang sobrang excitement ni Osang sa pagkakasama nito sa cast ng serye, dahil katuparan raw ito ng pangarap nitong makasama sa isang project ang award-winning actress. "Nahirapan kasi kami mag-cast sa kontrabida.  Naku, alam mo, noong una kong kinausap si Osang, muntik-muntik na siyang himatayin. Yun pala, dream come true para sa kanya ang makasama niya si Ate Guy! Sabi niya, 'Totoo ba 'yan?' Sabi ko, 'Oo!'  Ako naman, surprised na surprised ako sa reaction niya. Sabi niya, 'Seryoso ka ba? Alam mo bang lahat halos ng artista, gusto siyang makasama?' Hindi pa raw niya kasi nakakatrabaho si Ate Guy.  At yun ang pinangarap niya.  Kaya sabi niya, 'Dyusko! Naku, pagdalhan mo ako ng ambulansiya!' Grabe, noong una pa lang nu'ng storycon, una niyang nakita si Ate Guy, kulang na lang talaga, sambahin ni Osang si Ate Guy! Kinikilabutan talaga siya."

REUNION. Reunion project nga ito nina Nora, Boyet, at Bembol with Direk Mario dahil noong 1976 ay ginawa nila ang classic World War II drama na Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos. Thirty-five years later (2011), heto, at muli silang magsasama sa isang proyekto — kahit sa telebsiyon lang, via TV5's Sa Ngalan Ng Ina.

Ano naman ang character na ginagampanan ni Bembol sa istorya?
"Actually, asawa ni Guy si Bembol — siya yung vice mayor na tumakbong governor. Asawa ni Ate Guy si Bembol na namatay. Tapos, simula nu'ng namatay ang asawa niya, hindi na siya nagsuot ng ibang kulay.  Parati siyang nakaitim. Dumating lang ang punto na nalaman niya ang katotohanan, 'saka siya nagsuot ng ibang kulay."

Kumusta ang una niyang pakikipag-usap kay Boyet tungkol sa proyektong ito? Okey naman. Hindi ako ang unang nag-approach.  Meron na, meron na kasi [na kumausap]... Nu'ng sinabi ko sa kanya na, 'Si Ate Guy ito!'... 'Oo naman,' sabi niya.  Hanggang sa dumating sa punto na yung kanta [theme song ng serye], sabi niya [Boyet], 'Si Guy na lang ang kumanta [ng theme song], Nora Aunor 'yan eh!' Meron siyang gano'n.



Nag-suggest si Boyet na si Nora ang kumanta ng theme song? "Nag-suggest siya.  Sabi niya, 'Ganda ng kanta, si Guy na lang!'  So, ibig kong sabihin, nakita niya yung... Nu'ng binanggit niya 'yun, sabi ko, 'Wow!' Wala pa kasing kakanta, pero hindi e, mahirap gawin [mag-record] ni Ate Guy, mahihirapan kami. Iba na lang..."

Reunited with Christopher de Leon 

GUY & BOYET. Going back sa story conference ng show sa Max's Restaurant kamakailan lang, kumusta naman ang atmosphere doon?

 

"Maganda.  Masaya.  Nakita niyo naman ang pictures sa Facebook.  Nakakatuwa! Kasi, kami lahat, nakatingin sa kanilang dalawa [Guy and Boyet] na nag-uusap, tapos, nagtatawanan... Nagta-tapik, gano'n...Ang ganda ng atmosphere.  Ang saya.  Nagbatian sila.  Nagkuwentuhan.  Siyempre noong una, ayaw naming lumapit kasi nag-uusap sila e.  Privacy.  May bulungan, gano'n...  Siyempre, kaming lahat, kinikilig! Aaayyyy!!!

Kasi, hindi namin nakikitang nag-uusap ever, e.  Ang alam ko, that was the first time na nagkita sina Boyet at Guy mula no'ng dumating sa bansa si Nora.  Yun ang alam ko. Siyempre, yung production, yun ang inaabangan naming lahat.  Noong dumating si Guy, hinalikan niya [Boyet]... Chika sila. Kuwentuhan.

Hindi naman nailang sa isa't isa ang dalawa o naging uncomfortable dahil ilang taon ring silang hindi nagkita at nagka-chikahan? "Hindi ah, nagbibiruan nga sila e.    Naku, eto nga ang nakakatawa, sa pictorial, lahat ng video, umalis na... Wala na ang mga TV cameras... Kinunan sila ng picture, silang tatlo, pati si Ian. "Kinandong nila si Ian! Napaka-touching! Sobrang nakakatuwa! Sabi ko, 'Putcha! Wala ba kayong video?!' Kinuha ko yung camera ko, yung phone ko, yun ang ginamit kong pang-video...! Ako lang ang may kopya! Nagbibiruan pa sila, nagkukuwentuhan."

VILMA MIGHT VISIT. Ayon kay Jo-Ann, handang-handa na ang first taping day ng Sa Ngalan Ng Ina sa Lunes, sa location set sa Taal, Batangas.

Take note na ang gobernadora sa nasabing bayan ay ang kumare ni Nora na Star for All Seasons, si Governor Vilma Santos. "Oo, all set na sa Monday.  Ready na... Nakakatawa lang, kasi, sabi namin, 'What if dumating si Ate Vi?' Sa Taal, Batangas nga kasi kami sa whole series. Since it's a political drama, doon kami sa churches, yung munisipyo doon, gagamitin namin.  "'Di ba siyempre, 'pag nalaman ni Ate Vi yun, na nandiyan si Ate Guy? Go na! Baka dumating, 'di ba? Masaya ito!" tili ni Jo-ann.

Samantala, totoong nagkasakit si Nora recently dahil sa overfatigue. Magmula nang dumating ito sa Pilipinas noong August 2 ay walang humpay ang trabaho nito. Dumating pa rin ito sa set ng El Presidente kahit mataas ang lagnat, pero ang doktor na umano ni Governor ER Ejercito ang nagsabi na huwag nang ituloy ang shooting at in-advise itong mag-bed rest. "Totoong nagkasakit siya," ani Jo-ann.  "Nakita ko e. 'Saka, andun yung doktor sa tabi ko.  Hawak-hawak ko nga yung reseta. "Kasi, ang tagal na niyang ratsada di ba, so bumigay ang katawan.  Nag-ano yung katawan niya, pero okey na naman ngayon."

DIREK MARIO O'HARA.  Ilang award-winning classic Nora Aunor films rin noong 1970s to 1980s ang dinirek ni Mario O'Hara, tulad ng Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, Condemned, Bulaklak Sa City Jail, at Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit.

Kumusta naman ngayon sina Nora and Direk Mario O'Hara—after more than three decades na hindi pagta-trabaho?


Ay naku, noong una silang nagkita, nagyakapan nang matagal na matagal!  First time nilang nagkita noong private conference pa lang namin." Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon, napapayag ang isang Mario O'Hara na mag-direk ng isang teleserye.  Paano niya ito napapayag? "Naku, si Direk Mario, walang tinanggap na work 'yan for TV.  Tinawagan ko siya noong wala pa si Ate Guy... Sabi ko, 'Direk, gusto mong mag-TV?' Sagot niya, 'Ahhmm, depende.' Sabi ko, 'Direk, nasa TV5 na ako,' etcetera, ganoon... Tapos, sabi ko, 'Direk, mag-TV ka.' Sabi niya, 'Alam mo, ayoko kasing mag-TV dahil ganito-ganyan...' "Kasi daw, ang daming nakakaalam.  Ang daming kumukuwestiyon.  Ang daming tsu-tsu-tsu!  Maraming nangingialam, ayaw noon ng ganoon.

Alam mo naman yun, kung ano ang gusto niya, yun ang dapat... Tapos, sabi ko, 'E, Direk, Ate Guy ito!' "Sabi niya, 'Talaga?' Tapos, biglang sabi niya, 'Sigurado ka?' Sabi ko, 'Oo, Direk! Darating na [galing Amerika].'  Sagot niya, 'E, di mag-usap tayo 'pag nandiyan na. 'Pag lumapag na ang eroplano!' Ayaw niyang maniwala noong una.

Until finally, noong dumating na, andiyan na si Ate Guy, sabi ko, 'Direk, andiyan na!' Sabi niya, 'O, sige, isa lang ang gusto kong itanong:  Ilan ba dapat ang kakausapin ko dito?' "Sabi niya, 'Kasi, ang ayaw ko sa lahat sa dalawang networks [ABS-CBN at GMA-7], meron ka nang kinausap, siguro, may pitong levels pa ang kakausapin mo pa rin.'

Sabi ko, 'Direk, hindi po. Pagkatapos nating mag-usap, isa na lang.'  "At siya ay si Percy [Intalan, TV5 Head for Creative and Entertainment].  So, after naming mag-usap with the creative team, si Percy na.  "Sabi ko sa kanya, 'Wala na Direk!' Tama na yun. Sabi ni Direk, 'Okey! Go tayo!'  So, after that, tinext ko na sina Percy, sabi ko, umoo na si Direk Mario.  Sabi nila, 'Yeheeeeyyy!' Nagsaya silang lahat.  Kasi, 'di ba, hindi pa nagti-TV si Direk."

 Ang kuwento originally ng Sa Ngalan Ng Ina — na dating Donya Negra — ay may sinasabing original scriptwriter na si Rey Castro.  Ano ba ang nangyari at na-revise ito? "Donya Negra dati 'yan e.  Nandoon pa rin si Rey, doon pa rin ang pinaka-kuwento, doon pa rin binase yun e.  "Political drama rin yung Donya Negra, na kaya ganoon ang title e, dahil sa nagluksa siya, nu'ng mamatay ang asawa, lagi na siyang naka-itim.  Kaya Donya Negra.  

"Ni-revise ang script. Nilawakan. Kasi, medyo dark nang kaunti e.  Hindi naman tatanggapin yung gano'n sa TV audience, kaya ginawa naming medyo mas melodrama.   "Pero si Direk, ayaw niya noong... Nagbi-veer away siya sa mga soapy-soapy type of serye. "Ang gusto niya, a good story.  Kasi, 'di ba, may formula ang soap?  Ayaw niya noon.  Natatawa siya kapag nilalagyan namin ng soap material... Ay, ang galing!


Glad to work again with the great Mario O'Hara



Ang gusto niya, what is logical sa totoong buhay.  Sasabihin niya, 'Alam niyo, mali rin naman ang ginagawa niyo sa audience, pagka-tinuturo niyo ang ganyan... Yung totoong katotohanan ang ibigay natin.  "Sabi ni Direk, 'We must make a statement.  This is a mini-series.  It has to be compact, it has to be condensed. Sa soap, pinapahaba niyo, maski na konting iyak lang, 30 minutes niyong paiiyakin!' Nawawala yung istorya.  Nawawala yung laman.  Nawawala yung essence of the story.  Siya, gusto niya, parating may logic.  Kaya five weeks lang kami, kasi, compact yun."

Ilang araw sa isang linggo ang taping ni Nora? 

MORE SPOILERS. "Three times a week siya.  Siya ang bida e! Sa kanya lahat.  As is siya. Dito, siyempre, ordinary housewife... Actually, naging yaya muna siya ng asawa ni Bembol.  Naging nurse siya ng buong family ni Bembol.



May asawa sa una si Bembol, namatay.  Noong ipinanganak si Edgar Allan, namatay yung nanay [asawa ni Bembol sa simula]... So, siya [Nora] yung nurse, hanggang sa inalagaan na rin niya ang dalawa pang anak [Alwyn and Nadine]. Si Edgar, paborito siyang stepson ni Ate Guy. In the process, na-in love na si Bembol kay Guy, pinakasalan siya.  Si Nadine ang anak ni Bembol sa unang asawa.  Siya ang nagpahirap kay Ate Guy, ayaw niya kay Nora.  Bida-kontrabida ang role ni Nadine.  Si Nadine, Alwyn, at Edgar Allan ang magkakapatid.  Mga anak ni Bembol sa unang asawa.  Ang anak ni Guy, si Eula [Caballero]... Sikreto kung sino ang ama nito," pagwawakas ni Jo-ann Bañaga.

In light of her legendary act

Despite her diminutive frame, Ms. Nora Aunor inspires outsize awe owing to her thespic talent many critics owe to her innate genius for creating larger-than-life characters whether on television, at the silver screen, or onstage in a live theater. Most of her co-stars through the years have echoed what two National Artists for film have known all along. The late Lamberto Avellana gushed in honor of her as "the perfect film actress," which Lino Brocka concurred by calling Aunor "the greatest actor in Philippine history." (Click here for an essay on Aunor's significance in Philippine culture).  

Small wonder why award-winners Rossana Roces and Eugene Domingo, two of her co-stars in the upcoming TV5 miniseries Sa Ngalan ng Ina, are overwhelmed with the prospect of sharing camera space with her. After all, Aunor has long been acclaimed for her subtle acting style aided by the sheer power of her eyes that can convey a whole gamut of emotions even with just a single gaze. Set to play a contravida of Aunor's character as an avenging widow, Roces is at once excited and scared: “Kinakabahan ako, baka sa taping namin ay matutulala ako kapag kaeksena ko na siya, hindi na ako makaarte, baka panoorin ko na lang siya.” (Click here for more details). 

For her part, Domingo--a self-confessed Noranian--looks forward to working with her not only in television series but also in the movies. "Of course, hindi natin papalampasin na hindi gumawa [ng project kasama] ang genius na artista," she says. "Kung saka-sakaling makakasama ko siya sa eksena at makikita ko ang kanyang mga mata, kahit siguro action papayag ako [or kahit] musical with Ate Guy, why not?” (Click here for more details). 

The two actresses' enthusiam is also shared by two of Philippine entertainment's hottest stars who have been bruited about as Aunor's possible successors for superstardom--Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo. (Click here and here to read about their excitements on Aunor's comeback and prospects of working with her in the future.) 

For young actors and actresses, Aunor's return to Philippine showbiz after nearly a decade of absence has only added to her legend. It was reported that many have sent feelers to TV5 to avail themselves of the chance to act with her. (Click here for added tidbits). Indeed, TV5 is dead-set to make Sa Ngalan ng Ina not only as a ground-breaking drama (to be helmed by ace director Mario O'Hara), but also as a reminder for the new generation to rediscover and appreciate Aunor's cultural legacy. (Click here to read more of the producer's objective.)  

Newcomer Edgar Allan Guzman, Cinemalaya 2010 Best Actor, will play as the son of Ms. Nora Aunor's character--a powerful avenging widow in TV5's political drama Sa Ngalan ng Ina.

Judy Ann Santos speaks out about Aunor's comeback while Wendell Ramos (below) wishes to work with the Superstar.

Of resurgence and reunions

"Very powerful." Or so the critically acclaimed actor/scriptwriter/director Mario O'Hara describes the role of Ms. Nora Aunor in her much-awaited TV series Sa Ngalan ng Ina. Deviating from her tried-and-tested portrayals as an underdog, Aunor will play a governor who exerts her influence to avenge the death of her husband. After the superstar's eight-year hiatus in the United States, O'Hara is raring to reaffirm Aunor's stature as a world-class actress in a story of epic proportions "tungkol sa mayamang donya, at ang kanyang struggle amidst the political turmoil in her hometown, matapos ma-assasinate ang kanyang unang asawa..." (Click here for more details.)

With a bang for her career comeback, Aunor's resurgence as the country's premier actress is seen by many as a foregone conclusion in hands of O'Hara. Reminiscent of other creative collaborations among the best of world cinema--France's Isabelle Huppert with director Claude Chabrol, China's Gong Li with director Zhang Yimou, and Japan's Toshiro Mifune with director Akira Kurosawa--the Aunor-O'Hara tandem is a class all its own. 

Together, they have chalked up a filmography considered as hallmarks of Filipino filmmaking since 1976  when they came up with Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos, considered by critic Noel Vera as "the best Filipino film ever made." (Click here for the complete review of the film and here for Vera's list of the 12 Great Filipino films.)

Thus, televiewers are up for a primetime treat with the Aunor-O'Hara cocktail in Sa Ngalan ng Ina, which also reunites Aunor with her TTWD costars: her ex-husband Christopher de Leon and Bembol Roco. The project also marks, literally so, a family reunion as the former couple's only son, Ian de Leon, is also in the cast, among others. (Click here and here for more information on the reunion and other plot details.)

Talk about a powerful viewing experience, and this much is true: To see is to believe.


Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon cuddle the toddler Ian de Leon during a break on the set of Mario O'Hara's  "Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos" in 1975.



Ian de Leon, flanked by her parents and erstwhile couple Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon,
                                   at the story conference of "Sa Ngalan ng Ina."



Perking up Philippine television with the Superstar's return

After being absent from the local entertainment scene for nearly eight years, Nora Aunor-- inarguably the greatest actress to have graced the big and small screen around these parts--is back in the Philippines to do a special miniseries with TV5.

To the packed house, Nora, now based in the US, said, “Nagpapasalamat po ako sa TV5 sa kanilang tiwala na kunin ako para sa itong mini-serye na inihahanda po para sa mga manonood. At siyempre, nagpapasalamat rin ako kay Kuya Germs na palagi pong andyan para sa akin. (I would like to thank TV5 for having trusted me enough to tap me for this miniseries. And of course, I'd like to thank Kuya Germs who has always been there for me.)

“Si Kuya Germs po ang nakipag-ayos sa TV5 para sa gagawing kong mini-serye. Alam ko po na meron sigurong mga fans na nag-tampo nung hindi natuloy yung scheduled na pag-balik ko mga two weeks ago, pero kaya po ipinagpaliban yun e dahil inaayos nga po ni Kuya Germs itong gagawin ko para sa TV5.” (It was Kuya Germs who arranged everything with TV5 for this miniseries. I know some fans were upset when my scheduled return two weeks ago didn't push through, but this is precisely why it was postponed. Kuya Germs was fixing everything for this project with TV5.)

For his part, Percy Intalan, who proclaimed himself to be a Noranian, said that working with Nora Aunor has been on TV5's wish list. “We thought it would be nothing more than just a pipe dream, and so when Kuya Germs told us that Nora was flying back to do a movie (a historical biopic with Governor ER Ejercito, titled El Presidente), we didn't think twice about signing her to an exclusive contract.”

The miniseries "SA NGALAN NG INA" is going to be directed by the multiawarded Mario O'Hara, also Nora's director in one of her most acclaimed films and one of the classics of modern Philippine cinema, Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos. Reportedly, TV5 is putting in a lot of money to ensure that the miniseries will not only break new ground but also most fitting for Nora's stature. When asked if TV5 would allow Nora to appear in interviews on rival networks, Percy Intalan said, “Nora Aunor is too important and too big an artist not to be shared with the rest of the entertainment industry.” Also being already planned is a movie with Lily Monteverde's Regal Films.

To her fans and the entertainment press, The Superstar said, “Si Nora Aunor pa rin po ako. Hindi pa rin po ako nagbabago. Medyo nagluluka-lukahan paminsan-minsan, pero ang pinapangako ko po ay seryoso kong paguukulan ng pansin ang gagawin kong mini-serye para sa TV5.” (I'm still Nora Aunor. I haven't changed. I've gone a little crazy on occasions, but I promise that I will seriously give my all to this miniseries with TV5.)

-- from InterAksyon.com