The red carpet at TriNoMa drew a crowd on Friday evening as fans huddled along the cinema area, screaming at the sight of ABS-CBN’s newest series, Roja. Stars including Donny Pangilinan, Kyle Echarri, and the rest of the cast walked the carpet, catching the attention of mallgoers who paused to watch the spectacle.
Donny and Kyle headline the action-packed drama, portraying former best friends embroiled in a high-profile hostage crisis at the exclusive La Playa Roja island resort.
Donny plays Liam, the head chef, while Kyle is Olsen, a security team member. Their once-unbreakable bond is tested by betrayal and jealousy, particularly when Liam discovers his father (Raymond Bagatsing) is having an affair with a younger woman (Yassi Pressman), knowledge Olsen had kept secret. Maymay Entrata also stars as Luna, Liam’s sous chef and best friend.
The story deepens as Liam’s parents, played by Raymond Bagatsing and Lorna Tolentino, and Olsen’s mother (Janice De Belen) are caught in the middle of the boys’ faltering friendship, revealing the complexity of their relationships.
Chaos erupts when a group of armed hostage-takers, led by Yassi Pressman and Joel Torre, seize control of the resort. No one is spared, as staff and VIP guests are held captive. When hostages are killed one by one, Liam and Olsen are forced to confront their misunderstanding and put their combat skills to the test to save themselves and their families.
The series also features a star-studded supporting cast, including Sandy Andolong, Robert Seña, Nikki Valdez, Cris Villanueva, Zia Grace, Bernard Palanca, Marc Abaya, Gello Marquez, Harvey Bautista, Lou Yanong, Kobie Brown, Benedict Cua, Iñigo Jose, Maika Rivera, AC Bonifacio, Emilio Daez, Xilhouete, Kai Montinola, Rubi Rubi, Sophie Reyes, Rikki Mae Davao, Inka Magnaye, Vangie Castillo, Levi Ignacio, Floyd Tena, Rans Rifol, Igi Boy Flores, and Raven Molina.
The series is directed by Lawrence Fajardo, Rico Navarro, Andoy Ranay, and Raymund Ocampo.
Roja will stream first on Netflix beginning Nov. 21, followed by iWant on Nov. 22. The series will premiere on TV via Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and TV5 on Nov. 24 at 8:45 p.m. Viewers outside the Philippines can watch on The Filipino Channel (TFC) via cable and IPTV.
