Collaborations from different networks are a thing today, but who would have thought that Liezel Lopez, known for Zandra in GMA Network’s live-action adaptation of Voltes V: Legacy, would be paired with McCoy de Leon, who was recently praised for his portrayal of the villain of the hit ABS-CBN series, Batang Quiapo.
The project? A romantic comedy movie shot in Shifen, Taiwan, titled The Flying Red Balloon.
Liezel Lopez and McCoy de Leon were handpicked for this project
“Dream ko din kasi magkaroon ng collaboration between GMA and ABS-CBN artists. Si McCoy kasi talagang napapanood ko siya kahit na taga-GMA ako, tumatawid ako para manood ng Batang Quiapo at napakahusay niya, mahusay talaga si McCoy. And sabi ko talaga na sana sumagot, sana makuha natin kasi perfect kasi nung nakwento sa akin ni Dennis na may pagka-Chinese din pala talaga si McCoy. So, sabi ko ang lapit ng role niya na Teng Teng. Si Liezel naman, pinanonood ko din, nanghihinayang kasi ako sa kanya, mahusay siya and macha-challenge ako sa kanya kasi from kontrabida, parang ang sarap niya palambutin para mahalin siya ng audience at ‘yung character niya dito, ibang iba from her past roles. Personal choice ko siya, walang iba,” director Louie shares.
What were first impressions of Liezel and McCoy of each other?
“First time ko ma-meet si Liezel last week and sabi ko, in character na siya. Ang taas-taas niya nun, sabi ko, baka maubos ‘yung social battery ko, pero… naubos nga. Kailangan ko lang sabayan. Sabi ko, maayos ‘to kasi magiging madali kasi the way Liezel mag-act, parang as siya na ‘yun,” McCoy shares.
“Good thing ‘yun ah. Okay nga ‘yun,” McCoy continues as he talks to Liezel.
“Nung first time ko na-meet si McCoy, kinakabahan ako kasi he’s… parang introvert. Tapos tahimik lang siya. So, I was trying to reach out, make conversations, build a friendly bond between us. Kaya siguro nung una naisip niya na ang kulit ko kasi kinukulit ko talaga siya, because I was trying to talk, so we can get comfortable with each other while we’re working on this film. But after that, I think mas naging komportable na ako and I’m very excited for our workshop tomorrow,” Liezel answers.
From what we know so far, the film is going to be shot in Taiwan. The two leads will be portraying characters who are working in Taiwan, an optimistic girl who thinks she has met all kinds of people through her work, and meets a mysterious guy whom she easily gets comfortable. A film about wishes, those that come true, and those that find their way back.
So far, what can director Louie Ignacio say about the chemistry between Liezel and McCoy?
“So far sa kulitan nila, masaya naman ako. Noong una nilang kita, nakita ko ‘yung natural nila, which is happy ako. Sabi ko, madali ‘to sa pelikula. Magagawa itong pelikula kasi ‘yung iba kapag unang kita ang tahimik, ‘yung isa suplado, ito hindi. Nagulat nga ako, even sa staff, siyempre si McCoy from ABS-CBN, tapos Kapuso halos lahat, siya (McCoy) ‘yung unang tumatayo to greet us. Ang sarap ng feeling na ‘yung katrabaho mo mari-reach mo agad. Ibig sabihin, madali ang shooting namin. ‘Yun ang gusto ko.
Without spoiling, what are the themes and conflicts will‘ The Flying Red Balloon’ tackle?
“Kasi napaka-simple ng story. Simple, kalma lang, hindi heavy itong pelikula, kaya lang more on mararamdaman mo ‘yung emosyon, ‘yung puso, kasi dalawang kultura ‘yung makiktita, Pinoy at Chinese. So, maraming mga conflicts pero hindi naman aabot sa sobrang gagapang ka na sa problema. Ito ay parang problema ng puso,” director Luisito Ignacio answers.
“At the core of the story, more than just it being a love story, it talks about ‘yung mga wishes natin, what we hold on to, what we are willing to let go hoping na babalik sila. There’s also ‘yung mga choices, ‘yung consequences of those choices na paninindigan natin,” adds writer Rish Mangubat-Lunasco.
The film also stars Richard Yap, Lianne Valentin, Paolo Gumabao, Kimson Tan, Sue Prado, Jason Gainza, Rebecca Chuaunsu.
‘The Flying Red Balloon’ is now in production from DGTAL Film Production. Line produced by Dennis Evangelista and directed by Luisito Lagdameo Ignacio.
Watch our video coverage from the story conference below: