JE C.C.
Key people behind the Viu-ABS-CBN project expressed their pride in having produced a world-class series that Filipinos can be proud of.
Debuting on Viu in just a few days, the highly-anticipated Filipino adaptation of the hit South Korean drama, Flower of Evil, held a media launch for members of the press, on Monday, June 20. Viu Philippines’ country development manager, Garlic Garcia, creative manager Danica Domingo, and director Darnel Joy Villaflor, are in sync in telling the public that what they are going to witness, is a different level of stellar and world-class entertainment.
“It’s such a big milestone partnership for us. We really cherish this partnership, along with its being a masterpiece. It has the objective of bringing the best of the Filipino on-cam and off-cam to the world,” shared Garcia, who was among the creative minds behind several iconic ABS-CBN projects.
Garcia also shared that beyond Flower of Evil, other new titles might still spring in the future, in their quest to tell unique stories.
“What we are excited about is (that) we are not limited to just to K-content. We are not limited to just adaptations. We are so excited to basically green light ,and work with multiple partners and build more content that is proudly Filipino.”
Director Darnel Villaflor gave props to the artistic force of the series, especially the cast, in turning the Filipino adaptation into one powerful piece.
“It really takes intelligence and creativity para maisip mo kung paano (gawing) nakakatakot ang isang eksena. So I give it to actors para sa kanilang imagination na napag-uusapan namin nang maayos at nagkakaintidihan kami, kasi napakahalaga ‘nung understanding ng isang artista sa eksena para mailabas yung gigil at takot na hinihingi ng eksena.”
He also highlighted the collective effort of everybody in making sure that the final product they come up with is the best possible.
“Lahat kami tulong-tulong. Lahat kami wanted toput our best foot forward lagi. So we all wanted na gumawa ng content na mas maganda at mas maganda pa sa lahat ng content na ilalabas ng ABS-CBN, and syempre with our partnership with Viu, talagang itinaas pa namin ang kaledad ng serye na ‘to.”
In being able to produce such a world class show, Villaflor underscored the support the production received from various teams. “Malaki kasi ang suporta na binibigay ng Dreamscape, ng ABS-CBN, at syempre ng Viu para talaga pagandahin (ang show). Lahat kami sa set, lahat ng involved sa production, sobrang gigil na pagandahin ‘yung programa’” he passionately shared.
Dreamscape Entertainment’s business unit head, meanwhile, vouched for Villaflor’s expertise in handling intricate and challenging materials such as Flower of Evil “This is his best work so far” he assured the press and the viewers.
Villaflor also gave assurance to the followers of the franchise, that the spine of the original story is kept, while new elements are introduced to give the local adaptation, a distinctly Filipino flavor. “We kept the very spine of the story para sa lahat ng mga K-drama fans. Buo po yung kuwento, and we decided to keep the iconic scenes”.
“Pero syempre, dinagdagan namin yun ng Pinoy flavor, dahil Pinoys yung involved sa kuwento. Iba yung Pinoy sensibility” he added, as he also noted the evident chemistry in the cast, especially between Lovi and Piolo.
“If you see yung pagsasama ni Lovi at ni Piolo onscreen, sobrang magnetic…sobrang physical“, he shared.
Danica Domingo, Dreamscape Entertainment’s creative manager, has similar words for the onscreen coup;e. “Nung napanood namin yung Flower of Evil, yung mga first few episodes, natuwa talaga kami…kasi pag tiningnan mo si Piolo at si Lovi, para talaga silang mag-asawa” she noted.
She agreed on Villaflor’s sentiments towards the show ‘s need to have Filipino sensibilities to reach and touch more audiences. “Pininpoint talaga namin yung mga iconic scenes, kasi alam namin na yun ang hahanapain ng mga fans and at the same time nagdagdag din kami ng ibang flavor, kasi alam naman namin na hindi lahat nakapanood ng Korean version. So in a way, pini-Philippinized namin sya para magcater naman doon sa hindi pa nakapanood”.
Viu Philippines’ Galic Garcia, cited her observations on the couple that made them look perfect, for each other.
“For example, it’s an emotional scene, one actor is already kumabaga kargado na, nandoon na sya sa moment, the other one just supports, or it’s just a hug or a there’s like such a off camera.”
With the concluding series, The Broken Marriage Vow, having set a high standard on Viu Philippines, Garcia took the chance to emphasize the pressure that Flower of Evil dealt with, during production. “I mean of course coming from the success of ‘The Broken Marriage Vow’; it was so record-breaking”, she shared.
Villaflor, meanwhile teased the audience of the explosive surprises that are set to blow them away, once the series starts streaming on Viu and airing on A2Z and Kapamilya Channel, “Abangan nyo kung paano nyo maeenjoy yung mga artista. Hindi nyo sila makikita kundi ang character na pinoportray nila”.
For Piolo, whom he already worked with in the past. He only has words of high praise. “Nagwork kami ni Piolo, 10 years ago, sa ‘Dahil sa Pag-Ibig’ and I can say na Piolo here, is very very different, in a sense na sobra siyang nagmature as an actor. He is always willing to go beyond ng nagawa nya sa mga programa nya”.
The Filipino adaptation of Flower of Evil is the first original adaptation co-produced by Viu Philippines and Dreamscape Entertainment. It is only the second ABS-CBN series to be streamed in advance on the streaming platform, but it notably makes history as the first ABS-CBN series to be exclusively streamed in advance on Viu Philippines where it will debut on June 23, Thursday.
The series makes its free TV premiere on Kapamilya weekend, beginning June 25, Saturday, and June 26, Sunday. Watch the official full trailer of ‘Flower of Evil’ below:
