On Thursday, May 5, Dingdong Dantes and his wife Marian Rivera admitted that their upcoming show Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa was close to their heart as it was their dream years ago.
Dantes in the press conference of the sitcom shared, “Dream po talaga namin na magsama kami ulit sa isang proyekto. Kasi napakatagal na ng huling show na ginawa namin together.”
The couple first worked together in the hit teleserye MariMar back in 2007. Their pairing ended in 2012 after doing My Beloved.
“In fact, bago pa kami ikasal, sabi namin, ‘Sana balang araw magkaroon din tayo ng isang show ulit na magkasama tayo,'” said the actor.
Furthermore, the sitcom is a new genre for them.
“Yung comedy format naman, isang bagay din kasi na hindi pa namin nagagawa. Kasi nag-drama na kami, nag-action, at kung anu-ano pa. Kaya sabi namin, maganda sana kung isang comedy show ang gawin namin ngayon. Kaya para sa amin, dream come true po ito.”
On the other hand, Rivera pointed out that there was no reason for her to reject the project. Apparently, Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa originated from their household after doing some short videos for a ketchup brand titled “Jose En Maria.”
“Tulad nga ng sabi namin, nagsimula kasi ito sa bahay hanggang sa nagawan ng paraan na ipalabas namin ito sa telebisyon. Siyempre, very thankful din ako na wishing din ako na makasama ko ulit si Dong sa isang proyekto after ten years—more than ten years. So parang ang saya lang tapos comedy pa, very light. At the same time, hindi kami naka-locked in.”
The sitcom is also their milestone project as co-producers along with GMA Network and APT Entertainment. John “Sweet” Lapus is their director.
The cast includes Pekto, Benjie Paras, Shamaine Beuncamino, and Pinky Amador, among others.
Catch Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa beginning on Saturday, May 14, at 7:15 p.m.
