Push Admin

Celeste Legaspi lauds Ian's portrayal of her father in 'MMK' episode

Article (news)

Totel V. de Jesus

<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TFpktbFrq1c?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>MANILA -- The special episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” last April 14 that focused on the love story of National Artist for Visual Arts Cesar Legaspi and his wife Betty was a television milestone in terms of audience education and entertainment. </p><p>It registered a national TV rating of 24.4%, based on data from Kantar Media, just behind ABS-CBN’s primetime talent-search show “Pilipinas Got Talent” with 36.1 percent and sitcom “Home Sweetie Home” with 25.5 percent. Its rival, GMA 7’s “Magpakailanman,” had ratings of 16.6%. </p><p>Legaspi&#x27;s daughter, singer-actress Celeste Legaspi, told ABS-CBN News that the &quot;MMK&quot; episode directed by Jeffrey Jeturian capped the year-long celebration of her father’s 100th birthday. The birth centenary started on April 2, 2017, and included included four major retrospective exhibits, as well as a comeback major solo concert at the Solaire Resort and Casino, among others. </p><p>Patrick Sugui played Legaspi during his teenage years and early life as husband, while Ian Veneracion took over the role depicting the artist&#x27;s struggling years as family man up to his old age. </p><p>Veneracion, the son of acclaimed abstract painter Roy Veneracion. is a painter in real life and has held several solo and group exhibits.</p><p>Legaspi&#x27;s wife Betty was played by Angel Aquino and Mary Joy Apostol. </p><p>Celeste had a cameo role in the episode, playing herself in the end, Krystal Mejes played her as a child, with Ria Atayde playing the teenaged Celeste. </p><p>“They were both adorable. With big pretty eyes, I&#x27;m very flattered,” Celeste said in an email interview with ABS-CBN News. </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G-RvOBD3YvE?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Celeste was very hands-on in conceptualizing the episode. “The storyline is directly based on my parents’ life. We were in discussions with ‘MMK’ researchers from 2017. My siblings plus some older grandchildren plus my eldest living cousin were also interviewed. ‘MMK’ decided to focus on their love story. We were very careful with how the story was written and its depiction. We were constantly correcting them with the many details,” she said.</p><p>In a post in her official Facebook page thanking the “MMK” staff, she said writer Benson Logronio had to do three drafts. “Poor dear, we so kulit.”</p><div><strong>Enduring love</strong></div><p>The story is told in flashbacks. It begins with Cesar (Veneracion), with graying hair and thick beard, doing a portrait. He remembers the night he met his wife. Cesar (now played by Sugui) and Betty (Apostol) are teenagers and being introduced in a dance party. It was love at first sight. But protective parents would get in the way. Overly smitten is an understatement as Cesar courts Betty despite the parental hurdles. He makes attempts to see her even if it meant staying under the rain or enduring the heat of the noonday sun at the sidewalk in front of her house. </p><p>Then World War II breaks out. But strict parents, heavy rains and war won’t stop Cesar. They get married and have five beautiful children. </p><p>The middle part of the story shows the struggling painter, devoted husband and father. It is revealed that despite being color-blind, Cesar’s talent endures. Working in an advertising company, he is shown setting aside an unfinished painting to continue a poster design. He struggles to maintain a balance between his day job and doing what he loves the most. </p><p>Betty (now played by Aquino) is shown as a devoted artist’s wife. She sells fruits in the market to help make ends meet. When Cesar gets a scholarship to study art in Madrid and Paris, Betty helps in selling some of his paintings, like a door-to-door salesman. At the time, Cesar has yet to create a name for himself. Being a pioneering neorealist in the Philippines, his style wasn’t well-received by collectors at the time. But Betty was able to sell some of them and added more funding for Cesar’s stay in Europe. </p><p>Back in Manila, when Cesar holds his first one-man exhibit, he almost loses hope on the first day because no one came. Betty tells him to wait. True enough, those who bought his earlier works before he went to Europe arrive in droves. </p><p>Over the years, Cesar has painted more than 3,000 works. One day Betty approaches him in his studio and asks him, how come not a single portrait of her? Cesar is even surprised he didn’t paint one. When he finally finishes her portrait and he shows it to her infront of their children, Betty couldn’t recognize the woman in the portrait. It is revealed she has early signs of Alzheimer’s.</p><p>As a whole, “Portrait” is a story of enduring love. Cesar has become who he is in the history of Philippine art because he has someone like Betty. </p><div><strong>Positive feedback</strong></div><p>“Biopics like this help in mainstreaming knowledge about our National Artists and make their works and lives part of the popular narrative,” Cultural Center of the Philippines artistic director and vice president Chris Millado told ABS-CBN News. </p><p>Millado was among those who shared the announcement teaser on social media ahead of its airing.</p><p>Facebook user Binibining Benita said: “It’s like I’m reading history book with a touch of romance.” </p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V06va9q6zoQ?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="~//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="~//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><p>Celeste told ABS-CBN News it didn’t occur to her before to produce a film based on her parents or on her father’s struggles as an artist. But after “MMK,” she said she’s now entertaining the idea. </p><p>Celeste is a co-producer of “Ang Larawan,” the Best Picture winner in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival directed by Loy Arcenas. It is adapted from a 1997 musical of the same title that she also produced. “Ang Larawan” is an adaptation of a full-length play by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. </p><p>“Because the reactions and feedback are so inspiring we are beginning to think about it. I have asked my daughter Waya, who is presently in the States, to develop an idea. She is our writer,” Celeste saod. </p><p>It was Waya who edited Rolando Tinio’s libretto for the screenplay of “Ang Larawan.” “She also wrote the script for my August 2017 concert in Solaire which was also part of the Centennial celebrations for my father. So, we will see,” Celeste added.</p><p>Celeste has high praises for Veneracion, who has achieved national heartthrob status in his 40s.</p><p>“I was surprised and very pleased with Ian. He even looks like my first cousin from my father&#x27;s side!” Celeste noted. “Truly appreciate that Ian was willing to shave his mustache because my father had none when he was younger. And that he was willing to learn how to use the palette knife which was my father’s favored tool. An actor who is willing to learn will go very far!”</p><p>If and when the biopic on her father pushes through, Celeste added she will &quot;definitely&quot; recommend Veneracion to play the title role. </p><p>Now she’s also exploring the idea of coming out with a play or musical about her father. “Many years back, I was already thinking of this because my father’s paintings would definitely make great production design,” she said. </p><p>As a whole, she has high praises for the episode initially titled in the final script as “Cesar and Betty” but eventually was called “Portrait” in reference to the request of Betty to paint her. </p><p>“I appreciate deeply that despite the story requiring extensive production design to depict six decades (1940-1990) ‘MMK’ still chose to pursue it. The idea to use my parents’ story came from our camp. Girlie Rodis, a close family friend, made it possible. The initial idea was hers: that the best way to introduce my father to a new generation is to tell his story through ‘MMK’. And she has been proven correct,” she said. </p><p>Celeste said director Jeturian, who is related to her husband Nonoy Gallardo, did an excellent job. “He masterfully handled the material very well. At the onset, he told me how touched he was by the story and was confident it would resonate with the viewers.”</p><p>She added: “Ian and Angel both portrayed our parents with truth and passion. No one can ask for more. Their scenes were the most touching. And the younger cast were likewise eager to do their very best. Mary Jane Apostol singing a kundiman—when she is not used to the form—was charming and outstanding!” </p><p>Apostol was a revelation when she sang in acapella the kundiman “Bituing Marikit” by Nicanor Abelardo.</p><p>“The production design, especially for the earlier years was lovely. As a producer I know exactly the costs required by such a demanding production design. Audiences were touched and inspired by the story. That is always difficult to achieve. And the &#x27;MMK&#x27; episode certainly accomplished that,” Celeste said.</p>

<p>The special episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” last April 14 that focused on the love story of National Artist for Visual Arts Cesar Legaspi and his wife Betty was a television milestone in terms of audience education and entertainment. </p>

The special episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” last April 14 that focused on the love story of National Artist for Visual Arts Cesar Legaspi and his wife Betty was a television milestone in terms of audience education and entertainment.