If you think the heat of the summer is already unbearable, think again. With the debut of the primetime series Init sa Magdamag on April 19, ABS-CBN will make summer nights even hotter—but in a good way, of course.
The warm reception of netizens and Kapamilya viewers to Init sa Magdamag’s official trailer—whose views shot up to several million, on both Youtube and Facebook—seems to be a strong indication of the overwhelming excitement that has been mounting for the series, since it was announced last year. Featuring Yam Concepcion in her first-ever leading teleserye role, the new sexy drama is set to enthrall viewers, with the hottest ensemble of male Kapamilya actors to ever grace the late primetime tv block.
The excitement for the series is undoubtedly being bolstered by its roster of lead stars, whose names have been recently thrown into the spotlight. Marking his return to primetime after his very successful military drama, A Soldier’s Heart, Gerald Anderson is set to deliver his most dramatic role yet, which may also be his most daring. While the PBB alumnus has been in the hot water for his long gossiped-about affair with actress Julia Barretto, and the spree of exposés released by his former flame, Bea Alonzo, these very intrigues themselves, are what helping Anderson and his upcoming drama, catch the interest of Kapamilya viewers. Indeed, bad publicity is still publicity.
That being said, it’s hard to think that there is nothing else that Init sa Magdamag has in store for those anticipating its debut. Since the onset of the pandemic, ABS-CBN has already delivered unforgettable stories, via the recently concluded series, A Soldier’s Heart, Love Thy Woman, and Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, each proving of the now franchise-less network’s capacity to hurdle all the challenges presented by the pandemic and its sudden departure from free television. For this, it’s easy to believe that Init sa Magdamag will continue this streak of delivering well-loved plotlines, and timely stories that perfectly mirrors our society.
Anderson, whose character in the series is a community doctor, is well-positioned to touch lives with his role. Anderson, himself, shared via the Star Magic Lounge interview that, in a way, his role is a tribute to the front liners. Nevertheless, fans may be most likely excited about his role’s character development, and of course, if he will go all out in making the viewers’ summer nights, hotter than ever.
In that effort, JM de Guzman, can also massively help. After the sudden cancellation of the pre-primetime family drama, Pamilya Ko, last year, because of the pandemic, the Angelito: Batang Ama actor, returns to doing drama roles. This time, however, he takes on an antagonist-slash-bida-kontrabida role, a first on his very impressive acting portfolio.
Hashtag member, Nikko Natividad, maybe more popular as a host, returns to acting on a drama series, after his impressive Kadenang Ginto stint. Arguably the biggest comical force in the group, Natividad takes on the role of Simon, who serves as Gerald Anderson’s ‘sidekick’ on the series.
Albie Casiño, likewise returns to primetime, after his short stint on the recently concluded primetime series, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin. This time he plays a much bigger role—as Raymund, Yam Concepcion’s best friend in the series. As divulged by his co-actors, in the series, Casiño is a conscious ‘workout-a-holic’. To hope that the series will serve as a venue for him to flaunt what he’s been working hard on behind his shirt, does not sound an insane idea, at all.
Aside from these four handsome actors, the show will also feature Gab Lagman (Halik) and Mark Oblea.
Because Init Sa Magdamag is also a political drama, it will feature elements that depict socio-political figures and events. Viewers may be glued on the steamy scenes and the glimpses on the aforementioned actors’ jaw-dropping abs, but the highly intriguing plot of this series, which will also transcend across elements of crime, thriller, and romance, will surely take them on another level of the viewing experience.
Init sa Magdamag premieres on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida Block (on Kapamilya Channel and A2Z Channel 11), as well as TV5’s Primetime Todo Block, on April 19. The series will also be streamed on Kapamilya Online Live, and iWant TFC; as well as WeTV and iflix, where VIP users will have access to two advance episodes.
