David Licauco, Ashtine Olviga step up to the challenge in PH’s ‘Fight for My Way’

September 30 ------ David Licauco and Ashtine Olviga are stepping up to the challenge of portraying the lead roles in the Filipino adaptation of the hit Korean drama “Fight for My Way.”

Licauco and Olviga will play Hanz and Aira, respectively, in the upcoming Viva One series, which marks the streaming platform’s first-ever Korean series adaptation.

During the series’ press conference on Monday, Sept. 28, Licauco admitted feeling pressure over taking on roles from a popular K-drama. “Of course, I’m really grateful for the opportunity. And I wouldn’t lie, medyo may pressure. But it’s a good pressure,” he said. “I think mas okay na may pressure. It just means that the people care about this series.”

The Kapuso actor said the cast has been preparing for the project through workshops and by studying the original series. Olviga, meanwhile, said she plans to remain faithful to her role as Aira while adding her own interpretation to the character since she’s also a fan of K-dramas. “Ako naman po, syempre nilagyan ko ng flavor. Gagawin ko po siya sa perspective kung yung mga fans ng K-dramas, kung paano ba nila gusto mapanood ’to, paano ba nila gusto makita yung pag-portray namin sa character,” she said. “I will stay true to the character.”

The new pairing of Licauco and Olviga also comes after the two actors were previously associated with different love teams. Licauco with Barbie Forteza and Olviga with Andres Muhlach. Asked how they would convince viewers of their chemistry, Olviga said they would let their performances speak for themselves. “Makikita niyo po yun for sure, promise ko. Gawin namin yun talaga. Kapag napanood na po nila yung mga scenes, yung series mismo,” she said.

Olviga added that they do not need to publicly act like they are romantically involved just to promote the series. “I believe po kasi ako na, for example, if we’re promoting a project tapos love interest kami, parang sa mga ganitong events, parang di namin kailangan mag-act na talaga may love or may something para magbenta po ng project,” she said.

She also acknowledged that actors are expected to work with different co-stars throughout their careers. “As actors po, we’re meant to work with anybody po talaga,” Olviga said. “So, siguro po sa mga supporters po namin, for sure, siguro nasaktan sila, na-disappoint sila, pero, wala. Kailangan lang din po talaga naming mag-work.”

For director Crisanto B. Aquino, the Filipino adaptation will retain the original story while shifting its cultural setting to the Philippines. “When I talk to my crew, dapat malinaw yung objective natin with this adaptation. Kung sa Korean, the original, pinakita kung gaano kaganda yung Korea—the culture, the place, and everything. Sa atin, gusto kong ipakita kung gaano kaganda ang Pilipinas,” Aquino said. “Hindi lang sa lugar. Yung ugali natin, our food. Siyempre, yung food nila, di ba? Mga Kimchi and mga soju. Meron naman tayong balut, meron tayong [Filipino food]. So, I mean, kailangan maging mukha siya, kwento ng Pilipino,” he added.

Despite the cultural changes, Aquino said the adaptation will follow the original story closely. “Hindi namin pwedeng baguhin yung takbo ng mundo eh. Kasi buong-buo yung kwento nila, tsaka ang ganda ng kwento ng original eh. So, hindi namin pwedeng baguhin yun, it’s an adaptation,” he said. “Dapat the same story. Ang talagang kailangan namin i-adjust is yung Filipino culture. Kasi siyempre, its Korean story,” he added.

“Fight for My Way” follows childhood friends who set out to pursue their long-delayed dreams while their friendship gradually develops into romance. In the Filipino adaptation, Hanz dreams of becoming a professional fighter while Aira hopes to become a TV announcer.

McCoy de Leon and Aubrey Caraan also star as the pair’s longtime friends Manny and Sally, respectively. Together with Licauco and Olviga, their characters form the “Crazy Fantastic Four.” The series is directed by Aquino, who previously helmed Viva One adaptations “Seducing Drake Palma” and “Dating Alys Perez.”

Source: inquirer.net