Ina Kapatid Anak in Cebu

The cast and crew of ABS-CBN's Ina Kapatid Anak came to Cebu to tape the early scenes of the teleserye in July of 2012.

My sister Debbie, her husband Charles Mark Uybengkee, daughter Duchess together with my son Jerald Kervin and I went to the ABS-CBN Cebu complex to audition for some of the roles. It was a panel audition headed by director Don Cuaresma and some production people from Manila. Good for us, we all got the roles we auditioned for. I played the role as a priest, Mark as the school principal, Debbie as a market shopper, Duchess as Kim Chiu's classmate and Jerald Kervin as one of the passersby in a scene at the Magellan's Cross.

The first taping day was on July 9, 2012. We were instructed to go to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral where some scenes will be taken focusing on Cherry Pie Picache carrying a baby and one with Ronaldo Valdez. A day earlier, ABS-CBN Cebu's Athena Cabanero requested Debbie if she can help look for an infant who will be the baby Celine, Kim Chiu's role in the TV series. This child was the niece of Debbie's client in Himlayang Pilipino Life.
  

Immediately after the cathedral scenes were done, the next location shoot was at the Magellan's Cross where Celine (Kim Chiu) in a high school uniform will be walking together with her classmates played by my niece Duchess Uybengkee, Filconey Rose Camado and Noelle Salvador. Jerald Kervin Uy was the son of a young couple who will pass by Celine and her friends.

In the afternoon, we convoyed to a school in Talisay City where the recognition day is set to be taped. Blythe, Jayson Gainza's daughter played the role as the little Celine where she will be recognized as the first honor of her class by the school principal played by Charles Mark Uybengkee. Cherry Pie Picache, Ronaldo Valdez and Jayson Gainza were also there. Here in Talisay, the crowd was so large that we were concerned with the security of the stars.

The following day, we were at the Taboan Market in Cebu City where Debbie and my scene will be shot. I got a bit tense because the person in charge of my script failed to give it to me the day before. I had to memorize my line a few minutes before the take.

The Taboan Market scene was not an easy one for the cast and crew. The smell of dried fish all over the place cannot be tolerated by the senses but I admire the professionalism of everybody. Everything went smoothly as expected.

My scene with award winning actress Cherry Pie Picache was a memorable one. I still remember the part where I played the role of Fr. Rich, a Cebuano priest who bought all the slippers peddled by award winning actress Cherry Pie Picache (Theresa Apolinario) so she, together with Ronaldo Valdez (Zacharias Apolinario) and Jayson Gainza (Oscar) can return to Manila to be with Kim Chiu (Celine Buenaventura/Marasigan) again. What's funny because everyone thought I was a real priest. Cherry Pie even asked me if I was really one.

Debbie's scene was also with Cherry Pie Picache where she walks in as a market customer who ignores and snubs Cherry Pie's invitation to buy her stuff.  More shots were taken inside and outside the market involving Kim Chiu, Cherry Pie, Ronaldo, Jayson and Blythe. 

At the end of the day, me, Mark and Debbie decided to have dinner at Carlito's Way, a diner at the Persimmon in Mabolo where we celebrated the success of the day's taping.
  
Charles Mark Uybengkee, Debbie Uy, Duchess Uybengkee and Jerald Kervin Uy are all lifetime members of Cebu Stamp Club.  

Ina Kapatid Anak is ABS-CBN's primetime teleserye that has continued to be a top-rater since its pilot episode in October. The powerhouse cast is composed of Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, Cherry Pie Picache, Janice de Belen, Ronaldo Valdez, Eddie Gutierrez and Jayson Gainza. 

Click here to view the Ina Kapatid Anak (Cebu Taping) in YouTube. Read the synopsis of Ina Kapatid Anak here.