Malalaking Eksena Para sa Unang Linggo ng Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita

I did not expect that I will still have another taping day for the latest GMA 7’s super production of “Bababangon Ako’t at Dudurugin Kita”.  I thought that when we taped the scene in the hospital lobby where my “wife” – Jesseth Prospero and myself were blown up in our Mercedes benz, it was my last taping day. Although I have read in the script that I still have one more scene and that is for the burial of Emilio (Emilio Garcia) – the husband of Miss D (Dina Bonnevie), I thought that Direk Joel Lamangan had replaced it with the morgue scene as it would be more dramatic errr morbid to show a grieving wife in a morgue than in a mausoleum. I was wrong. Ces Aldaba texted me last Tuesday that I will have a taping the following day.

The location for my last taping day was the Manila Memorial Park in Sucat, Paranaque City. When I texted Ces for my costume requirement which he answered “panglibing” (for burial), I texted him  back to clarify with the production staff if it will be “panlamay” (to attend for a wake) or “pamburol” (to be used by a cadaver)!

You see, I really thought that the burial scene of Emilio – my son-in-law in the story  was already edited out because of the morgue scene and I thought that what we will tape will be a new scene – for us (parents) to be buried.  If my guess is right, I told myself, it will be my second time to be placed in a coffin in less than two months! If you would recall, I was placed in a coffin for my scene in ABS-CBN’s “Lobo”.

When the production staff clarified that my costume would be for “panlamay”, it was then that I felt relieved that I would not be placed again in a coffin within a short period. I was afraid I would be type-casted as a cadaver!!!

Before the take, I had the chance to have a long talk with my mentor – Tony Mabesa. He is a fraternity brother in the UPSILON SIGMA PHI and was the person whom I considered as the one who motivated me to take acting seriously. He was my director for my first stage appearance in UP Los Banos for the Upsilon Sigma Phi’s production of  Bertolt Brech’s “Three Penny Opera” (Operetang Tatlong Kusing) where I played Mang Umit.

Director Tony Mabesa confided to me that it looks like that GMA 7 is giving Direk Joel Lamangan a free hand in coming out with big scenes for the first week of Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita. I told myself, GMA 7 has allotted a big budget for this new soap opera just to ensure that the viewers will be satisfied.

The burial scene which in the script said only that Dina together with her parents would simply take a last glimpse on the dead husband was transformed into a big, well-funded scene: all-star cast (Dina Bonnevie, Tonton Gutierrez, Jennica Garcia. Robert Ortega, etc..), full array of character actors led by Tony Mabesa who is playing the role of the Governor, Buddy Palad who is playing the role of the Bishop, and Jess Lapid, Jr. who is playing the role of an NBI agent, supporting cast of about 50 class A talents as rich mourners, 20 stuntmen as bodyguards ; crane for the cameras; two limousine funeral cars, 3 luxury cars and 10 bantam cars and expensive flower arrangements.

The execution of the burial scene was to my mind the longest one scene I ever had. It started with a funeral march with the stars, the support actors and the talents to the mausoleum until the last viewing.

The mausoleum used for the taping was the one owned by the Ramos Family – owner of the National Book Store.

Direk Tony Mabesa told me that “Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita” is slated to air starting March 24 to take over the slot of Marimar after it will end. Brace yourself to a big, big opening week which would pave the way to make your weeknights exciting!