Vertical series have become a streaming trend, with episodes running two minutes or longer, designed for easy consumption. Creators must find ways to hook viewers quickly and keep them engaged, encouraging them to scroll through the next episode.
Actors face a unique challenge in this format, needing to deliver performances that are both engaging and heightened without losing connection to the story.
Ryza Cenon, one of the lead stars of Inagaw na Anak, described her first experience working on a vertical series as both challenging and rewarding.
“This is my first time doing a vertical drama, and I have high expectations for it. Whenever I work on a project, I really study how to deliver my lines,” Cenon explained. She added that the director instructed the cast to use exaggerated movements for the scenes, requiring her to adjust her prepared acting style.
Cenon noted that bonding with co-stars was limited by a strict shooting schedule, with most interactions happening during breaks.
“Basically, we started with introductions. At first, it was just warming up, but after that, we started chatting more. That became our quickest ‘workshop,’ simple conversations during break times or setups to get to know each other better,” she shared.
The 60-episode family melodrama, directed by Christian Paolo Lat, stars Cenon alongside Althea Ruedas, Maui Taylor, and Arnold Reyes.
The story follows Lucy (Cenon), who, nine years after losing her baby, returns to the Villarosa household under the guise of a housemaid. Lucy, now wealthy and powerful, plans to get close to Grace (Ruedas), the nine-year-old daughter of Alex and Trisha Villarosa, whom she believes is her child.
Despite initial animosity, Trisha accepts Lucy into the household, surprising her husband, Alex. Lucy works to gain Grace’s trust while exposing the family’s exploitations to protect the child. The drama explores betrayal, confusion, trauma, and revenge.
Inagaw na Anak streams on Viva Movie Box.
