Two new primetime series premiered tonight, January 28 in ABS-CBN. After TV Patrol the shaolin movie inspired children’s action-comedy series “Kung Fu Kids” momentarily grabbed the television airwaves which was continued by “Lobo”, a werewolf inspired tragic romance story which stars former GMA prized talent, Angel Locsin and ABS-CBN perennial heartthrob Piolo Pascual.
There were actually three shows that were launched successively tonight. However I cannot stay long to watch “Palos” which topbills Cesar Montano and Jake Cuenca because the story was quite predictable and hackneyed. It also had the same aura as GMA 7’s Richard Gutierrez starrer, “Lupin” which made it a little unoriginal. Also, the cheap promotion it had to create over Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz’s (both stars of the series) alleged separation to generate ratings for the show was exaggerated and disappointing. That’s why I just opted to watch “Kung Fu Kids” and “Lobo”.
Charming
If there was one word to describe “Kung Fu Kids” pilot episode it will be appropriate to say that it is charming. Kids are really attractive centerpieces of attention and this has been proven last time in Makisig Morales’ “Super Inggo”. Although Inggo’s second installment was short-lived and not quite successful as the first book still the characters on that series was unforgettable.
Thanks to the success of “Super Inggo” that “Kung Fu Kids” was conceptualized. No doubt that the inspiration for this children’s action-comedy series was Inggo’s good performance in the primetime ratings game.
But more thankful should Jairus Aquino be who earned the title Pambansang Bestfriend in “Super Inggo” for being given a break as big as this one. ABS-CBN was very confident with his charm and talent that they chose Morales’ sidekick to topbill this show. The network would not regret this decision since Aquino holds a lot of promise than Morales. Aquino has more natural acting ability and charm than Morales in the first place. But Morales is in a league of his own. He has his own share of skills to be proud of like singing and performing live. I wouldn’t even be surprised if one day Morales ventures to theater.
Going back to “Kung Fu Kids” it was a delight once again to see this children’s wits acting up on screen. Although the plot is still predictable you will get glued to watching the series because of its innocent charm and pitiful dramatic scenes due to constant beating of the protagonist’s father played by former UMD frontman Wowie de Guzman.
The show’s supporting cast is also a wonder. It’s good to see Mickey Ferriols back to work again and fresh faces from the talent pool of ABS-CBN just makes this show enticing to watch.
Although not the type of show that I would root for everyday and religiously this series was able to pinch my heart with its non-overrated treatment of the characters and story. I just hope that the succeeding episodes will be better and more engrossing. If this happens for sure “Kung Fu Kids” will be a hit to all kids and kids at heart.
Tragic, dramatic and excellent cinematography
“Lobo” is definitely one of the network’s most ambitious projects. It has the makings of “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” and “Maging Sino Ka Man” two of the most sought after soap operas in Philippine TV history.
This is another show that ABS-CBN has carefully thought of. It only proves the network’s expertise in staging large scale dramas to the television. It’s like a movie broken down into pieces yet wonderfully stitched together to create the magical effect it brings when being viewed through the boob tube.
If there is one thing that the pilot episode is successful for it would be the organized retelling of how taong lobos came into existence and how unfortunate their lives are. The attack of the story makes it almost believable although some parts are overly acted on by the soap’s supporting cast like Sheryl Cruz. The transition form Angel Aquino to Susan Africa as Agot Isidro’s mother in two different time periods was also questionable. Africa didn’t have any resemblance at all to Aquino. It would have been better if Aquino continued the role until old age anyway there are make-ups and visual effects to do the job to make her look more elderly.
Surprisingly, it was not Angel Locsin who made this pilot episode promising nor Piolo Pascual but the story itself. If this concept was not inspired by any other foreign drama or old Filipino masterpiece then it presents itself as original, something new in Philippine primetime programming. The story is gripping and each scene was almost well acted on except for Isidro’s sometimes overacting attack on the role. Diether Ocampo was notable as Angel Aquino’s lobo turning husband and Irma Adlawan is as credible as she can be. Adlawan was able to tone down her powerful image from “Maging Sino Ka Man’ to a native provincial powerless lass in this soap. She is really worth watching acting wise.
The true beauty of this soap is also presented in its cinematography. Location, lighting and production design was near excellent. It really captures the mood of the story. The theme song sung by Martin Nievera is absolutely moving.
I hope “Lobo” would get away from unimportant subplots and characters add on which is typical to most Filipino drama series. If the production staff and writers of “Lobo” stick to its original concept and stylistic directing Angel Locsin’s career will be again propelled to new heights and ABS-CBN will again earn its reputation in creating quality dramas enough to make its rival network feel threatened.
There were actually three shows that were launched successively tonight. However I cannot stay long to watch “Palos” which topbills Cesar Montano and Jake Cuenca because the story was quite predictable and hackneyed. It also had the same aura as GMA 7’s Richard Gutierrez starrer, “Lupin” which made it a little unoriginal. Also, the cheap promotion it had to create over Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz’s (both stars of the series) alleged separation to generate ratings for the show was exaggerated and disappointing. That’s why I just opted to watch “Kung Fu Kids” and “Lobo”.
Charming
If there was one word to describe “Kung Fu Kids” pilot episode it will be appropriate to say that it is charming. Kids are really attractive centerpieces of attention and this has been proven last time in Makisig Morales’ “Super Inggo”. Although Inggo’s second installment was short-lived and not quite successful as the first book still the characters on that series was unforgettable.
Thanks to the success of “Super Inggo” that “Kung Fu Kids” was conceptualized. No doubt that the inspiration for this children’s action-comedy series was Inggo’s good performance in the primetime ratings game.
But more thankful should Jairus Aquino be who earned the title Pambansang Bestfriend in “Super Inggo” for being given a break as big as this one. ABS-CBN was very confident with his charm and talent that they chose Morales’ sidekick to topbill this show. The network would not regret this decision since Aquino holds a lot of promise than Morales. Aquino has more natural acting ability and charm than Morales in the first place. But Morales is in a league of his own. He has his own share of skills to be proud of like singing and performing live. I wouldn’t even be surprised if one day Morales ventures to theater.
Going back to “Kung Fu Kids” it was a delight once again to see this children’s wits acting up on screen. Although the plot is still predictable you will get glued to watching the series because of its innocent charm and pitiful dramatic scenes due to constant beating of the protagonist’s father played by former UMD frontman Wowie de Guzman.
The show’s supporting cast is also a wonder. It’s good to see Mickey Ferriols back to work again and fresh faces from the talent pool of ABS-CBN just makes this show enticing to watch.
Although not the type of show that I would root for everyday and religiously this series was able to pinch my heart with its non-overrated treatment of the characters and story. I just hope that the succeeding episodes will be better and more engrossing. If this happens for sure “Kung Fu Kids” will be a hit to all kids and kids at heart.
Tragic, dramatic and excellent cinematography
“Lobo” is definitely one of the network’s most ambitious projects. It has the makings of “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” and “Maging Sino Ka Man” two of the most sought after soap operas in Philippine TV history.
This is another show that ABS-CBN has carefully thought of. It only proves the network’s expertise in staging large scale dramas to the television. It’s like a movie broken down into pieces yet wonderfully stitched together to create the magical effect it brings when being viewed through the boob tube.
If there is one thing that the pilot episode is successful for it would be the organized retelling of how taong lobos came into existence and how unfortunate their lives are. The attack of the story makes it almost believable although some parts are overly acted on by the soap’s supporting cast like Sheryl Cruz. The transition form Angel Aquino to Susan Africa as Agot Isidro’s mother in two different time periods was also questionable. Africa didn’t have any resemblance at all to Aquino. It would have been better if Aquino continued the role until old age anyway there are make-ups and visual effects to do the job to make her look more elderly.
Surprisingly, it was not Angel Locsin who made this pilot episode promising nor Piolo Pascual but the story itself. If this concept was not inspired by any other foreign drama or old Filipino masterpiece then it presents itself as original, something new in Philippine primetime programming. The story is gripping and each scene was almost well acted on except for Isidro’s sometimes overacting attack on the role. Diether Ocampo was notable as Angel Aquino’s lobo turning husband and Irma Adlawan is as credible as she can be. Adlawan was able to tone down her powerful image from “Maging Sino Ka Man’ to a native provincial powerless lass in this soap. She is really worth watching acting wise.
The true beauty of this soap is also presented in its cinematography. Location, lighting and production design was near excellent. It really captures the mood of the story. The theme song sung by Martin Nievera is absolutely moving.
I hope “Lobo” would get away from unimportant subplots and characters add on which is typical to most Filipino drama series. If the production staff and writers of “Lobo” stick to its original concept and stylistic directing Angel Locsin’s career will be again propelled to new heights and ABS-CBN will again earn its reputation in creating quality dramas enough to make its rival network feel threatened.
2 comments:
i personally think lobo is really nice.i watched the pilot episode and i can't wait the upcoming ones.im looking forward to watch angel locsin as well coz i really like her.
Lobo is very good, especially now that the children have grown up and the story is starting to evolve. It is very fast phased, they even showed how Ulay and JayJay eventually became Lyka and Noah, and explained what made their characters as they are when they became adults. Angel looks very promising and Piolo is in his usual "best actor" essence. It is a welcome change for Angel to be funny and dramatic at the same time, minus the acrobatics. Hopefully, the production staff will be able to continue the exceptional first week showing.
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