Amaya on GMA-7

Since I saw the trailer of the upcoming shows on GMA-7, Amaya immediately caught my attention. The series is also dubbed as the first epicserye in the Philippines, and this is the biggest TV project of the Kapuso Network to date. The said series will start airing on Monday, May 30, 2011 on GMA Telebabad Block.

Marian Rivera plays as the warrior princess, Amaya. Marian Rivera said that is the first that she will topbilled a series that has a original story and not a remake.

The story is set in Central Visayas in the 1500s, this is the time of Rajah Mangubat's reign. Rajah Mangubat (played by Gardo Versoza) is known as a good warrior and an undefeated one but a priestess prophesizes that he will be defeated by a girl, the one that has a snake for a twin.

Newcomer Mikael Diaz will play as Lumad, the warrior Uripon that will fell in love with Amaya while actor Sid Lucero (pictured below) is Bagani, the prince that is set to replace his father's throne. He will also fell in love with Amaya.

Amaya is set to be shown Monday night, but I have the privilege to see it along with other bloggers at SM The Block, two days before! The event is attended by bloggers, members of the press and the cast and crew of the newest primetime series on the Kapuso Network.

Fans & friends of Marian Rivera are already lining up when we arrive.

Mikael Diaz is already here!

Roxanne Barcelo too! =) She will portray as Kayang, the Alipin of Marikit.

She is Marikit. Yup! that Rochelle Panganiban, she will play the role of the eldest daughter of Datu Bugna (Raymond Bagatsing) and Dian Lamitan (Gina Alajar). She is greedy just like her mother and will fall in love with Bagani so she make sure that Amaya will suffer.

Amaya is under the helm of Mac Alejandre.

After Marian Rivera arrived, press people started asking her about what she feels that about her new project, "Well, I'm very thankful sa mga big boss ko from GMA sa walang sawang pagtitiwala." and then all of her fans screamed. "Manood kayo ha?! Kung hindi lagot kayo sakin" she jokingly bursted out to her fans.

This is the first time I've met Marian Rivera, I was actually half expecting that she would snob some people who are asking to have a photos with her, but not. She cheerfully give in to any photo requests until the security guards stopped the fans since the screening is about to start.

To start, I don't expect anything grand or spectacular in Amaya, I lowered my expectation because that's what I do when I don't want to be disappointed on a certain movie.

The first few scenes we're amazing especially when the warship called Karakoa entered the scene, I am told that this was built by fifty local artisans and has a value of millions of pesos.It looks really authentic. I have to be honest, not all scenes are perfect there are some scenarios where the CGI used for the big boats looks so fake but not all scenes are like that.

The costumes designed by Gino Gonzales looks really authentic, they really researched very well. The tattoo on the characters especially on the Datu's and his warriors looks so real. It really helps when you seek some help from the people who really knew history, I am told that this series is guided by two UP historians.

On the characters, Marian Rivera didn't appear yet but I really have to commend Ana Capri and Lani Mercado on a scene where they are confronted by Gina Alajar, they're so good! Watch out for that scene.

We we're shown the pilot episode of Amaya and so far I'm happy with the outcome. I'm hoping they can sustain the same production value as the day go by and I'm also hoping that the story flow will keep it's fast pace so it will not be dragging.

They're waving at Marian! :)

Outside I saw a lot of fans still waiting for those celebrities to come out. I'm really fascinated by these dedicated fans who will troop the rain and they will bring their placards/tarpaulin just to show their support to their idol. I ask one girl on what her reaction to the pilot episode of Amaya. "Maganda siya!!!!" I also asked what's her favorite scene on the first episode, she answered, "Yung kay Lani Mercado!"

"Can I take picture of you guys?" I asked and they just scream and scream LOL! this is such a fun group :)

"What can you say on what you saw?" This time I asked the girl in white. "Bitin! Pero effective si Gina Alajar ha!" Kaya lang wala pa si Marian Rivera!" and then the group scream again :D They also show us their tarpaulins and they told me they are member of Marian Rivera's fans club.

Just like what I said the pilot episode live up to my expectation I hope they'll continue that way. Don't forget to catch Amaya on GMA Telebabad and tell me what you can say! :)

Official Website
http://www.igma.tv/shows/amaya

Ipinanganak na prinsesa, gagawing alipin, hihiranging babaylan at itinadhanang makipaglaban para sa kalayaan!  Tunghayan kung paano niya babaguhin ang kanyang mundo, Amaya! Gabi-Gabi sa GMA.