JUST A THOUGHT: “I want to sing like the birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.” — Rumi
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SYLVIA SANCHEZ PLAYS LEAD: Never in her wildest dreams did veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez imagine that she would one day play lead in a TV drama series.
All these many years, she has been content playing character roles, mere support to the male and female leads.
This is not to say, however, that Sylvia, a ravishing mestiza beauty from Mindanao in her youth, played nothing but.
In her early years in the movies back in the late 80s and 90s, she was a favorite leading lady to action stars and comedians. Her career dates back to Joey de Leon and Rene Requiestas in those hit-making Regal films back in the day.
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LOVING HER WORK: In the 90s when TV started to boom, Sylvia was recruited to act in teleserye after teleserye. She became so good at her craft that she is never without an assignment. To her credit, she worked hard for it.
“I love my work, I give it everything,” she said as she held back tears at the media launch of “The Greatest Love,” a new family drama that premieres July 25 on ABS-CBN.
Sylvia plays the central character in the extraordinary story of a mother’s selfless love. The role is a throwback to Gloria Romero, Rosa Mia, Susan Roces. Sylvia, real-life mother to two actors, says she’s flattered to move up their ranks in a manner of speaking.
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FORGET ME NOT: Creative manager Ricky Lee believes the series’ heart-rending plot twist makes the difference. “Here is the story of a mother suffering from sudden memory loss that she is unable to recognize her own children fighting in front of her.’’
Lee says “The Greatest Love” is not just about Gloria’s brain condition, but also about the “figurative dementia” of her kids.
“If you come to think of it, Gloria’s children are also suffering from memory problems. They forget that a mother is always going to be a mother.’’
“Many children have ‘dementia.’ They forget that their mother loves them very much even when they get reprimanded or if they get separated. In the end, a mother’s love is limitless,” he added.
“The Greatest Love” features an ensemble cast composed of veteran actors.
Nonie Buencamino and Rommel Padilla, as well as Dimples Romana, Matt Evans, Arron Villaflor, and Andi Eigenmann.
“The Greatest Love” allows viewers a long, beautiful look at the picturesque landscapes of Quirino province. It is directed by Dado Lomibao and Mervyn Brondial.
The series also marks Sharon Cuneta’s first time to perform a teleserye theme song. The megastar sings “The Greatest Love of All’’ as accompanied by ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra. (NESTOR CUARTERO)
