Love & Lies

Love & Lies
Genre	Suspense Action drama Whodunit
Created by	GMA Entertainment TV Group
Developed by	RJ Nuevas Dode Cruz
Written by	Jules Dan Katanyag Christine Novicio Luningning Ribay
Directed by	Mark Reyes
Creative director(s)	Jun Lana
Starring	Richard Gutierrez Bela Padilla Sid Lucero Michelle Madrigal Paolo Contis
Opening theme	"Ngayo'y Naririto" sung by Jay-R
Composer(s)	Vehnee Saturno
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language(s)	Filipino, Tagalog, English
No. of episodes	44 episodes (List of episodes)
Production
Executive producer(s)	Leilani Feliciano-Sandoval Rebya Upalda
Location(s)	Sangley Point, Cavite Tagaytay City Metro Manila
Cinematography	Jay Linao
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	30-45 minutes
Release
Original network	GMA Network
Picture format	480i NTSC
Original release	April 8, 2013 (2013-04-08) – June 7, 2013 (2013-06-07)
External links
Website

Love & Lies is a Filipino suspense-action drama series created by RJ Nuevas, developed by Richard Cruz and produced by GMA Network. The series premiered on April 8, 2013, replacing Temptation of Wife on the network's coveted GMA Telebabad slot and on April 9, 2013 worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. It concluded its nine weeks run on June 7, 2013 with the total of forty-four episodes and to be replaced by My Husband's Lover on its timeslot. The series headlines Richard Gutierrez, Bela Padilla, Sid Lucero, Paolo Contis and Michelle Madrigal as the main casts. Mark Reyes directed the show, while Leilani Feliciano-Sandoval and Rebya Upalda were the executive producers of the series throughout its nine weeks run.^[1]

The series follows Edward Galvez, a fictional Philippine Navy officer, who gets tangled in a web of lies and conspiracies when a mysterious organization suddenly kidnaps his wife. As the protagonist discovers the truth behind the crime, he uncovers a treacherous plot that threatens to turn his world upside-down. The true perpetrators of the crime may be closer to home than he dare think. As he thread to the maze of lies, blackmails, double-dealings, and betrayals, everyone becomes a suspect.^[2]

Cast and characters

Major characters

• Edward Galvez – portrayed by Richard Gutierrez^[3]

• Denise Salvador-Galvez – portrayed by Bela Padilla. ^[4][5]

• Catherine "Cathy" Alcantara-Galvez/Katrina "Kat" Alberto-Romero – portrayed by Michelle Madrigal. ^[6]

• Gabriel "Gabby" Romero – portrayed by Sid Lucero^[7]

• Emmanuel "Manny" Perez – portrayed by Paolo Contis.

Recurring characters

• Ramon Alcantara – portrayed by Lloyd Samartino.
• Consuelo Alcantara – portrayed by Lara Melissa de Leon.
• Captain Jose Lorde Villamor – portrayed by Bobby Andrews.
• Rosa Galvez – portrayed by Luz Valdez.
• Marco Salvador – portrayed by Miguel Tanfelix. ^[8]

• Ryan Alcantara – portrayed by Jeric Gonzales. ^[9]

• Marissa Rivero-Alcantara – portrayed by Thea Tolentino. ^[10]

Other characters

• Ricardo Salvador - portrayed by Neil Ryan Sese.
• "Ka Fredo" – portrayed by Gerard Pizarras.
• Gardo Mendoza - portrayed by Ian de Leon.
• Rosanna Rivero-Mendoza - portrayed by Shyr Valdez.
• Ligaya Salvador - portrayed by Aicelle Santos.
• Stella Perez/Shaina- portrayed by Alessandra de Rossi.
• Isay Alvarez-Seña as Danila Alcantara

Production and development

The series—a fast-paced suspense-action drama, also dubbed as "suspenserye"—was conceptualized by RJ Nuevas and developed by Richard Cruz. The two began developing the show under the title Notorious in January/February 2013.^[11] The title was changed to Love & Lies during the early stage of production.

In the pilot episode, the series features BRP Emilio Jacinto PS-35, one of the two warships of Philippine Navy.^[12]

The production team picked the Philippine Navy as a major setting for the series. On March 13, 2013, the show's main casts Richard Gutierrez, Paolo Contis together with series' director Mark Reyes visited the Headquarters Philippine Navy (HPN) and paid a courtesy call on the Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Jose Luis M. Alano AFP.^[13] Aside from that, Gutierrez and Contis also signed up as Philippine Navy Reservists. On the other hand, Vice Admiral Alano assured the network that the Navy will provide its full support and assistance to the series and said "We look forward to this project in which we can show and highlight what the Philippine Navy is all about." He likewise briefed Gutierrez and Contis about the rigid training and life of a Navy Seal.^[14]

The series' director described the show as his "dream project".^[15] Regarding the amount of action and drama being laced in the series, Reyes said that "The nearest thing that you can compare it to is Taken, the movie. There's a lot of suspense. But at the same time, there's drama that is interwoven with it. The pacing is reminiscent of 24. It is episodic. Actors will be seen repeating dialogues for others to catch up on the episode they have missed."^[16]

The show is designed for a nine-week run, contrary to the usual one season of thirteen weeks. The creative and production team were "committed to tell all, within that time frame," regardless of its performance in the ratings' game. Reyes further stated, "We're geared up for nine weeks and beyond that, it will be hard to pull it off. [...] Unlike other television series that drag on because they rate, these nine-weeks have been planned from beginning to end so the audience will get hooked."^[17]

Casting

Richard Gutierrez was cast as the series' main protagonist, Edward Galvez. Director Mark Reyes revealed that the actor came first before the concept of the show. Gutierrez had to undergo tactical shooting training [in preparation for the role] ahead of the other cast members. He also immersed himself the Philippine Navy way.^[18] Gutierrez stated "I have to be careful with the details. They're very particular with everything down to the smallest details. The challenging part also is telling the story, fixing all the action scenes, fixing all the dramatic scenes. It's one big puzzle that we're trying to solve but we're on good track right now."

Michelle Madrigal, Sid Lucero and Paolo Contis were cast to play three equally important roles. Madrigal feels pressured, especially her character Cathy Galvez is the lynchpin of the series, said that "My goal for this role is to showcase my capabilities as an actor rather than show more skin."^[19]

The character Denise Salvador was initially offered to Lovi Poe. But the actress reportedly thumbed down the project because she had already accepted an offer from rival network, TV5.^[20] Bela Padilla officially takes over the role. Padilla finds her "kick-ass" character as "[...] very interesting. I would have auditioned for it if it weren't offered to me. Coming from the drama series Magdalena, it's refreshing to do a character who is strong, loud and bubbly."^[21] In an interview, Padilla further stated that her character was pegged on a female version of Robin Padilla.^[22]

Filming

The production began in March 21, 2013.^[23] Some of the major scenes in the pilot episode were entirely shot in Philippine Navy headquarters in Sangley Point in Cavite City and in BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS 35) Philippine Navy warship.^[24][25] Series' director Reyes described the pilot ala-Crimson Tide.^[26] Other locations have also been featured, such as Antipolo, Rizal, Tagaytay, Binondo and in some part of Metro Manila.

Reception

The series' premiere telecast garnered 22.% and landed on the #3 spot, Top 10 primetime shows that said date. Meanwhile, base on overnight household ratings data recorded in Mega Manila by AGB Nielsen Philippines for April 8 to 12, 2013 (pilot week) the series scored an ave¬rage household rating of 21 percent as compare to its competitive programs Apoy Sa Dagat with 18.8% and Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw with 14.4%.^[27]

The series has generated a generally positive response from critics. Mercy Lejarde, an entertainment writer from the tabloid Balita praised Bela Padilla's acting performances, said that "Lovi Poe's lose is Bela Padilla's gain."^[28] Dinno Erece of Show and Tell described the series "Exciting" and "he won't be surprised if the network extends it."^[29]

International Broadcast

Country/Region
Vietnam

See also

• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
• List of telenovelas of GMA Network
• Lupin

External links

• GMA Network official website
• GMA Network Official Facebook Page

References