Imagine a love team being formed and bloomed at the height of the pandemic. For a TV network that mostly invests in their talents’ skills individually, Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay proved their worth as a pair. From ‘Raya Sirena’ that was supposedly just a one-episode weekend special which turned into a seven-episode series in 2021 to ‘Prinsesa ng City Jail’ which will premiere today, January 13, 2025, it seems we’ll be seeing more of the two together for a longer time.
But before Prinsesa ng City Jail airs, let’s look at some cute and kilig moments from Team Jolly:
Pandemic who? Team Jolly was created during the height of the pandemic. Here’s Sofia and Allen on their first month of vlogging as a pair:
Guess who’s Sofia’s pandemic happy pill?
And then there’s Team Jolly’s first primetime series ‘Luv Is: Caught in His Arms’
Sofia and Allen in Japan:
Team Jolly’s 4th Anniversary!
Chemistry overflowing as Sofia and Allen attends the 2024th GMA Gala
Last November 2023, Sofia and Allen or Team Jolly as their fans call them, guested at Fast Talk with Boy Abunda to promote their weekly series ‘Sparkle U: Ghosted.’ When asked if they are a couple or not, the two just demoed how close they were using reindeer props in Tito Boy’s show and the reindeers were pretty close. So, interpret that to your liking. A year later, December 2024, Sofia, who is then turned 18 years old returns to the show. Tito Boy asks, “ngayong 18 na ako, sasagutin ko na si…?” Sofia giggles as she answered “Allen,” then bursts out laughing because of her revelation.
During the media conference of ‘Prinsesa ng City Jail,’ series director Jerry Lopez Sineneng shares what he sees in their two lead stars:
“Unang una, chemistry. Ang lakas talaga ng chemistry kahit hindi nagsasalita, kahit off-cam, ang lakas ng chemistry. Parang sila Marvin and Jolina ang nakikita ko, eh, lalo na to (touching Allen Ansay), ‘yung pagka-driven, ‘yung nangangarap, naaalala ko talaga si Marvin sa batang ito. Maliban sa chemistry, match na match ang kanilang talento. ‘Yung support system, ‘yung respeto nila sa isa’t isa, ‘yung suportahan.”
So it was a smooth direction? No extra effort to push the chemistry?
“Not at all especially sa kilig scenes. Sa drama, hindi din ako nahirapan. Magagaling ang dalawang batang ito. Before we started, nag-extensive workshop naman kami at dun pa lang nakikita na ang strengths nila.”
GMA Network proudly presents a new story of hope and inspiration in “Prinsesa ng City Jail” coming this January 13 on GMA Afternoon Prime.
The much-anticipated series is headlined by Sparkle’s sought-after stars Sofia Pablo as Princess, the loving adoptive daughter of a jail guard and Allen Ansay as Xavier, an angsty teenager. Adding more depth to the story is the complicated love story of Dominic Ochoa as Raymond, Denise Laurel as Divina, and Beauty Gonzalez as Sharlene.
Joining them in the show are Ayen Munji-Laurel as Leilani, Xavier’s estranged mother; Jean Saburit as Sonya, Raymond’s evil mother; Keempee De Leon as Dado, the adoptive father of Princess; Ina Feleo as Jenny, Divina’s cousin.
Also starring in “Prinsesa ng City Jail” are Will Ashley as Onse, the childhood friend of Princess; Radson Flores as Justin, Xavier’s best friend; Pauline Mendoza as Mimi, Sharlene’s sister; Lauren King as Libby, the entitled daughter of Sharlene and Raymond.
“Prinsesa ng City Jail” tells the story of Princess, a young girl raised near a prison by her jail guard father. She brings light to the lives of the people around her, especially the convicted criminals. But despite the love and happiness she finds with them, Princess still longs for a mother who abandoned her.
The life of Princess changes when she meets a young inmate, Xavier, who also has his own familial issues. As their friendship blossoms, Princess teaches Xavier to forgive and forget the past. Meanwhile, Xavier leads her to her long-lost mother.
“Prinsesa ng City Jail” is produced by the GMA Entertainment Group, headed by Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Assistant Vice President for Drama Ali Nokom-Dedicatoria, Senior Program Manager Camille D. Hermoso, and Executive Producer Darling Pulido Torres.
The show’s creative team consists of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan, Creative Consultant Des Severino, Head Writer John Kenneth De Leon, Writers Renato Custodio, Mark Angos, and Benson Logronio, and Brainstormer Meryl Bunyi.
This extraordinary series is under the helm of esteemed director Jerry Lopez Sineneng.
Catch “Prinsesa ng City Jail” from Mondays to Fridays at 3:20 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. Global Pinoys can also watch the program via GMA Pinoy TV.