Several elements make a film compelling for viewers. Besides the script, setting, cinematography, and music, directors and producers should also invest in finding the right people to play the given roles. When all these aspects work together, the result is nothing short of a masterpiece.
When it comes to Vivamax’s latest offering, La Querida, director GB Sampedro wanted to work with those who can play the lead characters efficiently, especially since the plot interweaves two different love stories in one film.
“Medyo binusisi namin ‘yan ‘nung time na nag-casting kami kasi I wanted someone na fit or perfect doon sa role ng kanya-kanyang characters. Medyo nagtagal kami ng pag-iisip diyan sa casting na ‘yan ng La Querida,” Sampedro said during an online media conference for the Vivamax film last January 27, Friday.
Despite the tedious process, Sampedro is happy to have Angela Morena, Aaron Villaflor, Jay Manalo, and Mercedes Cabral as the leads for La Querida.
One of the factors that influenced his pairings with Angela and Arron and with Jay and Mercedes was his preference for putting out new tandems to explore the actors’ dynamics with each other as they navigate their way through complicated relationships.
Sampedro shared that he saw Arron fit for the role of Joel and Angela as Maria. He had worked with the two actors on separate projects before. Although La Querida marks their first time working together as an on-screen pair, Angela and Arron found it easy.
“Light lang ‘yung mga shoots namin. Hindi talaga kami na-stress ng bongga kasi todo alalay ‘yung production sa amin, especially that this is a love story,” Angela said.
On the other hand, Arron said that every day was a challenge because La Querida is diverse from his previous projects. After all, the love story is in tune with the feelings of the people involved in a relationship. It also allowed him to mellow down from his earlier roles, which got a little intense.
Meanwhile, the director felt Jay was more suitable to play the more mature role of Leo and decided on Mercedes as Connie because he has always wanted to work with the actress even before.
“Gusto ko ‘yang makatrabaho. Hindi lang kami nagkatiempuhan ng proyekto at sa schedule. Eto, nagkaroon ng chance. Kinailangan ko ‘yung pangtapat ko kay Jay so si Mercedes ‘yung pumasok sa isip ko na ipa-cast,” Sampedro said.
Thanks to the meticulous picking of the cast, Sampedro got the result he wanted for La Querida. During the Zoom conference, Sampedro shared that the movie was in its final editing stage before its release in February, with only the finishing touches left.
Aside from using La Querida to show audiences the different facets and complications of love from different standpoints and ages, Sampedro also hopes to teach viewers about the true meaning of the word “querida.”
He explained that in Filipino society, people associate the word with negativity because it means a mistress or third party. But in Spanish, where the term hails from, it means beloved or dear.
La Querida now streams on Vivamax.
