MANILA, Philippines — The epic-serye “Amaya” is now on its final week and the cast led by Marian Rivera, and the staff and crew feel sad that the show will be bowing out on Friday. “Actually, we all feel mixed emotions,” Marian said when we visited them at their Marilao, Bulacan set last Saturday (Jan. 7).

“Malungkot kami, lalo na ako, dahil magtatapos na ang ‘Amaya,’ dahil sa lahat ng nagawa kong shows, dito sa ‘Amaya’ naging very close ako talaga sa lahat. But at the same time masaya kami dahil naging successful ang show namin. Imagine, nag-umpisa kami ng taping last March, ipinalabas ang ‘Amaya’ last May, at originally 22 weeks lang kami pero na-extend ang show, umabot kami ng 33 weeks!”

Marian’s final taping days proved challenging. “Dahil sa mga ulan at baha, ang sets namin naging maputik. At maraming insekto ang umatake sa amin.” Marian laughed. “Kasama sa trabaho ang lahat.”

Marian is grateful to her co-stars especially Gina Alajar (who plays kontrabida) for her support. Also on the Marilao set during our visit were the other stars of “Amaya:” Sid Lucero, Mon Confiado, Ana Feleo, Buboy Villar, Sheena Halili, Dion Ignacio, Rochelle Pangilinan and Rep. Lani Mercado.

Lani, who plays mother to Marian’s character Amaya, was all praises for the actress for her professionalism. “At masayang kasama si Marian, very understanding din. Maraming naganap sa set, may mga kababalaghan ding nangyari. Almost one year din akong nagtrabaho dito. At kagaya ng sinabi ni Marian, we are all sad and happy na magtatapos na ang ‘Amaya.’”

Asked what’s her next project, Lani said, “Pahinga muna ako at sasamahan ko si Jolo sa US para magpagamot.” Jolo, who’s in the cast of ABS-CBN’s “My Binondo Girl” which is also ending soon, has been suffering from severe migraine.

“Actually, I have an offer already but focus muna ako kay Jolo at sa family ko, and of course sa trabaho ko as congresswoman. But acting is my therapy, parang day-off ko sa regular na trabaho ko, kaya I will always give time to showbiz.”

Director Mac Alejandre admits producing Amaya has been faced with a lot of challenges and problems. “Hindi sa mga artista but with the weather. We realized hindi mo talaga malabanan ang kalikasan,” he said.

“Amaya” was shot in various locations – Bolinao, Pangasinan; Calatagan, Batangas; in Pagsanjan, Laguna; and Marilao, Bulacan.

Being a historical series, they had a consultant from the National Historical Commission who went to the set once a week to check on the historical aspect of the show.

The director is opening his doors to do shows for TV5. “May offer din ang GMA-7, actually parehong attractive ang offer sa akin ng dalawang network. But as I said, everything is under negotiation.”

Pokwang goes dramatic in ‘A Mother’s Story’ 

Comedienne Pokwang is launched as a full-fledged dramatic actress in “A Mother’s Story,” which opened Monday in theaters nationwide.

“A Mother’s Story” tells the story of Medy, a make-up artist who accompanies a singer who’s slated to do a concert in the US and while there, Medy decided to stay upon the prodding of Helen (played by US-based Beth Tamayo). As a Pinoy TNT (tago nang tago), for seven years, Medy found out what an absentee wife and mother can do to her family. She was forced to come home when her daughter got sick and had to be hospitalized. She came home empty-handed, finding her home in disarray with her children King (Rayver Cruz) and Queenie (Xyriel Manabat) having issues against her.

Was her sacrifice worth it?

The fact that Pokwang had a daughter who died while she was away working in a foreign land made her relate to her role. “Dun ko hinugot ang emosyong kailangan ng role ko,” Pokwang said.

“Si Medy kasi, palaban na tao, gagawin niya lahat para sa mga anak niya. Yung tipong hindi baleng siya ang masaktan basta para sa mga anak niya. Pero ang maganda dito sa movie, may kabigatan man ang content, may certain lightness din siya. Yung lightness di nawala. Kasi nga si Medy, kahit mabigat ang sitwasyon nakukuha pa niyang i-comedy para huwag lang iparamdam sa mga anak niya ang bigat at hirap ng sitwasyon. Lahat naman ng mga nanay ganun, di ba?”

The first movie production of The Filipino Channel, “A Mother’s Story” is distributed by Star Cinema.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 11, go to Roger Serafica, president of Burgundy Realty Corp., Anos Fonacier, Atty. Eric Aguiluz, Butch Dans, US-based Lyn D’Amor, Atty. Malou Sarao, Dr. Manny Palabrica, Dr. Harry Lockhart, Glenny Callaja, Dr. Fernando A. de Mesa of UST, Shiela Lina, Joyce Bacasmas, Tien Tien Soriano, Marlon A. Esteba, Nap Alip, Tony Molina and Cindy Khan of UK…