We’ve just seen the premiere telecast of GMA Network’s newest primetime show, Victor Magtanggol, and if we are to take Dominic Zapata’s word for it, it’s not what everybody thought it was.
Zapata, whose recent works include Alyas Robin Hood 2 and Mulawin vs Ravena, helms the big budget series. He clarified in an interview with MS Entertainment that the Alden Richards-starrer fantasy drama is based on Norse mythology in which accordingly, the story begins after Thor dies.
He stated that when he first read the story, he kind of expected criticisms from the public especially those easily jump into conclusion without seeing or knowing the entire story.
“They’re reacting to something they haven’t even seen yet. Let’s admit that the Philippines is a melting pot of a lot of cultures. There’s a lot of good things that we were able to get from foreigners,” he started.
“So, if you’re going to dissuade viewers from watching, please remember that 200 people are making a living out of making this show,” Zapata said alluding to the show’s bashers.
For the director, he personally wants to feel challenged by means of not showcasing merely mediocre productions or shows that has the same ‘formula’.
“That scares me. I feel like I’m not moving forward. I think nagiging stagnant ‘yung industry, I’m not contributing anything if I do that,” he stated.
In addition, Zapata is afraid that people might cease to watch television shows for the coming years. Addressing this, he mentioned that coming up with massive productions that are not just funded for straight-to-the-internet-entertainment would solve this matter.
“We’re trying to convince a generation that no longer watches television as we know it. They’re watching streamed content on their devices, and that’s what scares me. It scares me that in a few years, people will stop watching television all together,” shared Zapata.
However, the director is very confident about the series and assured that for every content they produce, there is a lot of hard work being exerted.
Furthermore, there were also a lot of brainstorming involved in the creative process of executing the show including the utilization of effects that they introduced for the first time.
Zapata, being at the helm of this massive project, feels responsible for the success of Victor Magtanggol. He said that a huge part of him as a director is intended to protect the industry.
For Zapata, Victor Magtanggol is a showcase of what Filipino creators are able to create and produce nowadays on Philippine television and cinema.”‹