The PriManda love team, featuring Senator Lito Lapid and Lorna Tolentino, will temporarily step away from ABS-CBN’s primetime drama FPJ’s Batang Quiapo, headlined and directed by Coco Martin.
“Just like in Probinsiyano before the campaign period began, I had to step back because it’s prohibited to appear on television or in films,” Lapid explained during his annual Christmas luncheon with the entertainment press.
Lapid cited Commission on Elections (Comelec) regulations barring candidates from appearing in commercials or publicizing their image on TV and billboards.
“Even for someone like Coco with numerous billboards, if he decides to run, they all have to come down,” Lapid added. “It’s unfortunate, but this is how politics works.”
When asked if PriManda would return after the elections next year, Lapid expressed hope but shared initial doubts about the tandem’s reception.
“When Coco paired me with Lorna, I was hesitant. We’re both senior citizens. But Coco insisted, saying it would inspire older audiences, showing that even senior citizens can have a love team,” he said.
Lapid likened PriManda’s success to his pairing with Angel Aquino in FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano, which Coco used as an example of audience acceptance.
“Who would have thought that people would like the tandem? Just like my previous pairing with Angel, I’m very thankful to the public for giving Lorna and me this chance,” he said.
The senator also appreciated the support for PriManda despite occasional gossip about their on-screen chemistry.
“Back in the day, love teams often led to rumors of real-life relationships. But that was then, this is just work,” he clarified, noting that their partnership in purely professional.
Lito’s son, Mark Lapid, COO of TIEZA, echoed this sentiment. He noted that the PriManda tandem was carefully considered by the creative team to bring something new to audiences.
“It worked as an inspiration for everyone,” Mark said, explaining that the pairing is purely professional. “We laugh about it because it’s part of the job.”
