Mark Sicat dela Cruz considers Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko a landmark TV series and one of the more personal projects he’s involved in being a proud member of the LGBT community himself.
“Although we highlight the story of a woman trapped in a man’s body, the central story still revolves around infidelity. And it’s quite challenging to do this given the situation of the main characters,” Cruz told Manila Standard in an interview.
“It’s heavy drama. It’s a love story and betrayal like no other. The story is about a former husband and wife, now both fighting for the love of the same man,” he said adding that the captivating premise of Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko, which premieres today after Eat Bulaga, is based on experiences of real people.
In the series Kris Bernal takes on the role of Rachel who meets Nathan (Jason Abalos), a smart businessman from a political family.
Nathan marries Rachel out of pressure from his conservative family but he is unhappy and feels trapped. Deep down, he always knew he was gay, so he devised a way to fake his death. The truth is he went abroad and took their daughter with him. He undergoes sexual reassignment and facial feminization surgery in order to fully embrace the woman inside him. He left without knowing that Rachel is pregnant with their second child. Rachel, after Nathan died, went to the province where she gave birth.
Years later, Rachel meets balikbayan Gavin, portrayed by Rayver Cruz. Rachel falls for him instantly but her prospect of happiness is met with a big blow when she discovers that he’s engaged to a mysterious and strikingly beautiful woman named Venus, breathed to life by Thea Tolentino.
Venus is also a single mother who said that she got pregnant from her previous relationship.
Rachel feels that something isn’t right with Venus. Eventually, she found out the truth: Venus is a sexually reassigned woman who is no other than her former husband, Nathan.
Playing important characters in Rachel’s life are: Lotlot De Leon as Lupita Santiago, her doting mother who really liked Nathan for her; Devon Seron as Maya Santiago, Rachel’s younger sister and her confidante; Annalyn Barro as Tina Santos, Rachel’s best friend who discovers that Nathan is cheating on her; Caprice Cayetano as Nicole Bravante, Rachel and Nathan’s daughter.
Joining them are the vital characters in Nathan/Venus’s life: Jean Saburit as Veronica Bravante, Nathan’s mother who is kind but projects a strong personality; Ricardo Cepeda as Lorenzo Bravante, a Congressman and Veronica’s husband who has long pressured their son Nathan to get married; Maricris Garcia as Allison Bravante, older sister of Nathan and the only person who knows about his secret; Matthias Rhoads as Daniel Lindberg, a Fil-Am who becomes Nathan’s “lover” but breaks up with him when he finds out that Nathan is married; Phil Noble as Mama Krissy, a transgender who will become Nathan’s confidante regarding his sexuality.
Behind this engrossing drama is the creative team composed of Creative Director Roy Iglesias, Concept Creator Marlon Miguel, Headwriter Richard ‘Dode’ Cruz, Creative Head RJ Nuevas, writers Marlon Miguel and Renato Custodio, and brainstormers Erwin Bravo and Zita Garganera.
The program is another original creation of the GMA Drama Group under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Vice President for Drama Redgie Acuña-Magno, Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, and Senior Program Manager Camille Hermoso-Hafezan.
