Another barkada series is soon to stream on Viva One.
Titled “Sem Break,” it focuses on well, a barkada out on a road trip.
Suffice it to say there’s romance galore, not unlike previous series offerings “The Rain In España” and “Safe Skies, Archer.”
But there’s more to “Sem Break” than the usual kilig.
Director Roni S. Benaid wants you to scream in horror as well, putting a spin on local lore about evil entities latching on to humans.
He said, Most of us siguro narinig na ‘yung saying na, ‘Mag-ingat para walang sumama sa’yo.’ ‘Yung tungkol supposedly sa masasamang elemento sa mga liblib na lugar na gustong sumama sa kung sino ang bumisita doon. I find it quite interesting as a creative and thankfully Viva also liked the idea, kaya, ‘yung barkada rito sa movie, makikita natin ang experience nila.”
To make it more palatable to today’s audiences, Roni cast Viva’s newest love team Jerome Ponce and Krissha Viaje as leads.
Krissha plays Mich. Her parents died from an accident, so she was raised by her Aunt Belen. At home, Mich doesn’t express herself much, but with her friends, she is very lively and somewhat silly. She has a boyfriend which Aunt Belen approves of as long as she still prioritizes her studies.
Jerome is Arlo. He comes from a rich family. Though an introvert and socially awkward sometimes, Arlo is fond of swimming. There are a few people he can be totally open with – his girlfriend Mich, his best friend Tim, and the rest of their gang.
Keann Johnson plays Timmy, Arlo’s flatmate. He’s got that YOLO attitude. He acts like he’s annoyed with Mich’s best friend, Cora, but he actually has a crush on her.
Aubrey Caraan is Cora. She believes in horoscope, feng shui, astrology and charms. Her being kikay is the reason why she and Tim banter a lot, but her best friend Mich and Arlo still ship them together.
Hyacinth Callado is Jessie. She’s the most responsible member of the group. She works part-time in a café, which has become their tambayan. Jess is superstitious, a trait she got from her parents.
Gab Lagman is Pipo, a scholar in the university. His parents work as a caretaker in a beach resort in the province. It is he who instigated the trip, offering the resort as getaway.
While there, they are told not to go to a lighthouse near the resort.
Of course, as kids often do, they will defy this.
Things turn scary when they get lost in the maze-like structure of the lighthouse.
The eventually got out safely, but they brought with them something that will ultimately change their lives forever.
“Sem Break” streams on Viva One starting May 10.
