The lead star stature of Cristine Reyes and Marco Gumabao is in full bloom in Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan, which currently airs on TV 5.
The alluring Reyes gives life to the character of Helen, a role that the movie queen labeled as the Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos portrayed in the original motion picture version. The hunky Gumabao steps in the shoes of Rod, the name of the character assigned to the drama king Christopher de Leon.
In the television series adaptation, Helen and Rod start as high school academic rivals but eventually become young sweethearts. They share a dream of creating their own architectural and engineering firm, building their dream house, and living happily ever after together.
Both Reyes and Marco bring emotional truth and commitment to the portrayals of their respective characters. We see the development of Helen and Rod, they are convincing as high school rivals turned sweethearts, totally plausible as college lovers carrying their set of domestic problems, and relatable as they cling and hold on to a long-distance love affair that ended because of Gumabao’s Rod resolve that the relationship no longers works. The separation devastates Cristine’s Helen.
Reyes delivers a knock-out and intelligent performance because one sees and feels the development and growth of her character. Her quiet moments and dramatic highlights show the emotional investment and honesty she gives to Helen.
Some of her best scenes include the father and daughter segments, the heartfelt dedication to make the LDR work, and the desolation of the heart when a tragedy happens because of a wrong choice and decision. To all that come about in the life of Helen, Cristine makes it all authentic.
The camera loves Gumabao in this TV series, the way it captures his handsomeness is perfect. One can count his many fan service moments. What is remarkable about Marco’s portrayal of Rod, he infuses it with a dose of hopeless romantic, and together we can make it happen and work vibes, and there is no faking in this presentation of the conflicts and turmoil that an ambitious dreamer like Rod encounters.
The reel and real sweethearts share a passionate and tastefully done and executed love scene. As they do the blocked and rehearsed tender moment, the love they share is palpable and pulsates and the look of love in their eyes are most evident.
Another major attraction of this TV adaptation is Cesar Montano who acts as Cenon. In the Marilou Diaz Abaya (posthumously declared as National Artist for Film) directed movie, one of the Philippines’s national treasures, the late, great Eddie Garcia, was Santos’s aging and affluent husband.
Montano gives his Cenon authority, gravitas with old-school refinement and sensibilities. The fact that Cesar seasons handsomely is a plus factor.
How Cenon became a part of the lives of Helen at Rod is the most novel part of the TV series. The manner and heightening of the bond, friendship, and eventually relationship between Helen and Rod is not forced.
There is no denying that audiences will be curious about the show and make it a viewing habit because the weaving and the unfolding of the narrative is top-notch, the cinematography and overall look of the TV drama is glossy and sleek, a commendable supporting cast and the truthful fashion and emotional integrity that Cristine, Marco and Cesar immersed and invested to Helen, Rod, and Cenon make them a trio of genuine people
Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan is a blast from the past and a throwback kind of love that spells wonderful and worth watching TV adaptation.
The series airs Monday to Friday on TV 5, with encore telecasts every day at 8:00 p.m. on Sari Sari Channel, available on CIGNAL TV. SatLite Channel 3 and Cignal Play.
