Viewers can invite Alden Richards again in their living room as he plays another character that promises to touch everyone’s life.
He has portrayed numerous roles on TV and in the movies. His credits go on, and just like the most successful actors, it didn’t happen overnight for him, which is why he’s very particular when it comes to playing any character on screen—that it has to be inspiring, something that can have a positive impact on viewers.
In the new series entitled The Gift, Alden is Sep, a street smart and high-spirited vendor in Divisoria. One faithful afternoon, a commotion happens in the market place. He’s one of the casualties and the incident left him visually-impaired.
The universe has other plans for his though. After the incident, Sep suddenly starts having a vision of the past and the future. Sep has been given the gift of ‘clairvoyance’ or the ability to see things beyond the naked eye.
Alden has undergone blind immersion training to be able to fully understand the culture of the visually-impaired people, shared his realizations upon accepting the challenging role.
“Sometimes we take things for granted, normal lang na nakakakita tayo but once na mawala siya, parang that really got me,” the Pambansang Bar told reporters during the series media conference.
“Actually, I felt a bit sad when na-experience ko kasi ang hirap mawalan ng paningin. After that immersion, I interviewed people who can see before sila nabulag and na-inspire ako sa kanila na tipong ‘what can be my contributions to society now that I’m blind? Iyon ‘yung gusto kong mabaon ng mga manonood sa The Gift-bibigyan natin sila ng place sa mundo ng mga taong hindi nakakakita para mas maintindihan natin sila,” he said.
Playing important roles in the life of Sep are the members of the Marcelino family: Christian Vasquez as Javier, Nadia’s unfaithful second husband who is a shrewd businessman and a controlling father to his son whom he aspires to be a politician; Martin del Rosario as Jared, son of Nadia and Javier who is always out to please his father and will make use of Sep’s gift for his personal interests as a young politician; Ysabel Ortega as Sabina, brat but good-natured daughter of Nadia and Javier; Betong Sumaya as Asi, the trusted assistant and driver of Javier and Jared; Tetay as Tonya, Nadia’s best friend and Javier’s wealthy cousin; Rochelle Pangilinan as Francine, Javier’s feisty and entitled executive assistant and mistress; Luz Valdez as Puring, Javier’s doting grandmother who took care of him when his parents passed away.
Giving life and meaning into Sep’s journey are: Elizabeth Oropesa as Lola Char, Sep’s adoptive grandmother who saved him from an attempted kidnapping in Quiapo when he got lost as a kid; Victor Anastacio as Andoy, comical leader of young delinquents in Divisoria who adores Amor; Mikoy Morales as Bistek, outgoing friend of Sep and Amor who sells anything under the sun in Divisoria; Thia Thomalla as Faith, fancied by Sep and dubbed as the ‘Princess of Divisoria’ for her beauty and for being the daughter of a wealthy fabric store owner; Mikee Quintos as Amor, a spunky vendor who secretly admires Sep; Jo Berry as Strawberry, Sep’s adoptive and overprotective mother who doesn’t let her disability get in the way of providing for her family; and Jean Garcia as Nadia, Sep’s biological mother who loses her faith in God after the death of her first husband and the disappearance of her son.
The Gift also features the special participation of TJ Trinidad as Gener.
Joseph or Sep is not your average vendor along the buzzing streets of Divisoria. He uses his undeniable charm and enthusiasm to get through the tough days. Together with his adoptive mother, Strawberry (Jo Berry) who sells fruits for a living, and adoptive grandmother, Lola Char (Elizabeth Oropesa) who is a self-proclaimed fortune teller in Quiapo, Sep continues to find the silver lining amidst the harsh realities of life.
The show’s creative team is composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan; creative head RJ Nuevas; creative consultant Arlene Navarro-Punio; headwriter Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan; writers Rona Lean Sales, Patrick Ilagan, Loi Argel Nova; brainstormers El Agustin Ortizluis, Meryl Margaux Bunyi.
This original series, created by the GMA Drama group, is headed by the SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, VP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, AVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Helen Rose Sese and Executive Producer Shielyn Atienza.
Under the helm of esteemed Director LA Madridejos, catch the world premiere of The Gift beginning Sept. 16, weeknights, after Beautiful Justice on GMA Telebabad.
Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMAPinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.
