GMA is encouraging fans to gather together in front of their TV sets May 8, 8pm for the historic unveiling of its live-action adaptation of an anime classic in “Voltes V: Legacy.”
Headlined by no less than five of Sparkle’s most sought-talents, Miguel Tanfelix (as Steve Armstrong), Ysabel Ortega (as Jamie Robinson), Matt Lozano (as Big Bert Armstrong), Radson Flores (as Mark Gordon), and Raphael Landicho (as Little Jon Armstrong), The live action series is produced by GMA Network in partnership with Toei Company, Ltd. and Telesuccess Productions Inc.
According to director Mark Reyes, “Voltes V: Legacy” could well be the most expensive and biggest TV production to date.
“I was actually surprised that GMA green-lighted this,” he said. “Pero I think it’s about time. We’ve been talking about making world class shows, productions. Now, here it is. I think this is a game changer.”
He added, “Close to 1,000 people ang nagtulungan para malikha itong buong series in a span of 3 to 4 years. It was a long, complex, pandemic-stricken challenge for everyone involved. Pero I can proudly say that the whole team succeeded with a 100% Pinoy-made production that will entertain audiences not only locally, but also globally.”
Acclaimed local animators from GMA’s Post Video Graphics and Audio team and Riot Inc. handled the CGI and other visual effects with aplomb.
GMA’s Assistant Vice President for Drama Helen Rose S. Sese highlighted how the show began its production at the height of the pandemic in 2020, “Nag-start kami mag-shoot noong simula ng pandemic, naka-lock in kami. Imagine ‘yung threat ng COVID-19 at that time and ‘yung gastos ng Network na lahat kami naka-lock in. Dagdag pa ‘yung mahigpit na protocols na kailangang sundin.”
Sese also revealed that the team had to make significant adjustments such as with the character of Little Jon, “Three years kaming magkakasama. Si Little Jon (Raphael) maliit pa noon. Tatlong beses kaming nagpagawa ng costume niya at isa ‘yun sa malaking challenge na pinagdaanan ng production kasi hindi pwedeng mag-shoot noon ang minor.”
“We had to finish all the sequences without him. There were meetings pa kung papalitan ba si Little Jon, but no. Nanindigan kami. May hope kami na huhupa ang COVID-19 and thank God dahil natapos namin ang project na ito,” Sese added.
Moreover, the GMA executive reminisced the personal sacrifices of the production team just to put up a grand and phenomenal series like “Voltes V: Legacy.” But at the end, Sese reiterated that everything has paid off.
According to her, “We sacrificed a lot of our time. ‘Yung times na we’d be spending with our families, wala kami do’n. But I’m not complaining because this is such a legacy project and I’m really proud na sa amin ito napunta because tangay na namin ito forever. Credits to the team behind me na never sumuko sa lahat ng challenges.”
Furthermore, Sese expressed her gratitude for the trust of GMA Network, “We’re very thankful sa Network kasi ang dami naming pinagdaanan na additional taping days just to finish this. I’m very thankful for the support of the Network to come up with such a good project.”
“Voltes V: Legacy” is produced by the award-winning GMA Entertainment Group headed by Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; Assistant Vice President for Drama Helen Rose Sese; and Executive Producer Darling Pulido-Torres.
The highly-talented creative team behind this world-class live action adaptation is composed of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Content Development Consultant Ricky Lee; Senior Creative Consultant RJ Nuevas; Creative Consultant Denoy Navarro-Punio; Head Writer Suzette Doctolero; and Writers/Brainstormers Liberty Trinidad-Villaroman, Jake Somera, and Loi Argel Nova.
Starting this May 8, Kapuso viewers can finally join the five heroes and their machines in the highly-anticipated “Voltes V: Legacy,” – under the helm of esteemed director Mark Reyes – weeknights at 8:00 p.m. on GMA Telebabad and at 9:40 p.m. on GTV.
