Biritera

Biritera
Genre	Drama, Musical, Telenovela
Created by	GMA Entertainment TV Group
Developed by	Agnes Gagelonia - Uligan
Written by	Glaiza Ramirez Gilbeys Sardea Michiko Yamamoto
Directed by	Maryo J. de los Reyes
Creative director(s)	Jun Lana
Starring	Dennis Trillo Angelika dela Cruz Glaiza de Castro Roseanne Magan
Theme music composer	Nonong Pedero
Opening theme	"Ang Lahat ng Ito'y Para Sa 'Yo" performed by Roseanne Magan
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language(s)	Filipino, English
No. of episodes	73
Production
Executive producer(s)	Juel Balbon Nieva M. Sabit
Producer(s)	Wilma Galvante
Location(s)	Manila, Philippines
Cinematography	Vivencio Gonzales, Jr.
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	30-45 minutes
Release
Original network	GMA Network
Picture format	480i NTSC
Original release	February 6, 2012 (2012-02-06) – May 18, 2012 (2012-05-18)
External links
Website

Biritera (English: Diva) is a Filipino musical drama created by Jun Lana, written by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan and produced and aired by GMA Network. The series headlines Dennis Trillo, Angelika dela Cruz, Glaiza de Castro and singing child star Roseanne Magan in the title role.

The story centers to the life of a simple little girl whose dream to become a famous singer. In her quest to become a full-fledged biritera (Tagalog word for belter), she will also discover the mystery behind her true identity.

Directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes, Biritera premieres February 6, 2012 replacing Munting Heredera and February 8, 2012 worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV.^[1] The series concluded on May 18, 2012, and replaced by Luna Blanca on GMA Telebabad block. It ran for fifteen weeks with the total of 73 episodes.

Plot

The story revolves around a seven-year-old girl named Roseanne (Roseanne Magan) whose fervent dream is to become a famous singer, not only to showcase her talent, but also to alleviate the life of her adoptive mother, Remy (Angelika dela Cruz) and grandmother Simang (Ces Quesada).

Roseanne's opportunity to fulfill her dreams come when the reigning biritera, Louise May (Jillian Ward) died in a plane crash. This leads the talent manager, Mr. D (Ryan Eigenmann) to search for an immediate replacement.

Roseanne joined the search for the next Biritera but eventually failed to win the title. However, Andrei (Dennis Trillo), the popular vocalist of the band, The Bridge, mesmerized by Roseanne's sweet voice and spotted the potential in her, uploaded Roseanne's audition performance video on YouTube. By a stroke of fate, the video become viral, making Roseanne an instant child singing sensation.

As she takes her journey to stardom, Roseanne will discover the other side of the world she entered, as well as, unravel the mystery behind her real identity.

Cast of Characters

Main Cast

• Dennis Trillo as Andrei Marcelino - A handsome and down-to-earth. Andrei is the vocalist and lyricist of The Bridge, the country’s hottest band. But despite the fame and fortune, his heart is filled with sorrow and regret because of his scarred past. ^[2]

• Roseanne Magan as Roseanne Abesamis / Abigail Marcelino Fuentebella - A seven-year-old girl who dreams of becoming a famous singer. As her character embarks on an emotional journey from becoming an amateur singer to a famous biritera, Roseanne discovers many things about her roots, her past and her real identity.

• Angelika de la Cruz as Remedios "Remy" Kapitolyo-Fuentebella - A simple, kind, industrious and a loving mother to Roseanne. Her humble dream is to raise Roseanne, give her a good education and a better future. She opposes Roseanne’s stepping into the colourful but cruel world of show business, but later supports what her daughter's heart desire -- to sing. ^[3]

• Glaiza de Castro as Mikaela / Mikmik - The drummer and vocalist of The Bridge band. Pretty, bubbly, talented and "one of the boys", Mik-Mik (as her bandmates fondly called her) builds a strong friendship with the group, especially with Andrei. And as days pass, she realizes that her heart is beating for him. ^[4]

Supporting Cast

• Ryan Eigenmann as Dalton "Mr. D" Dimaano† - A respected manager and record producer. Musically inclined and has a knack for spotting real talents. He manages The Bridge band, as well as Barbie, Darling and Roseanne's careers. ^[5]In the latter part of the series, it reveals that Mr. D has a secret feelings for Andrei, therefore, he is very eager to opposed Andrei's relationship with Mikaela.

• Yul Servo as Jerome Macapagal - A former sexy actor turned gigolo. He is the lover of Jo. He will support Jo in using Roseanne for their own gain.

• Ces Quesada as Simang Kapitolyo - Remy's aunt and Roseanne's ever supportive grandmother.

• Rich Asuncion as Josephine "Jo" Abesamis - The desperate and scheming recruiter who will do anything to get rich again, even if it means using Roseanne's talents.

• Gwen Zamora as Iris - Mikaela’s socialite friend and daughter of a recording executive. Head over heels to Andrei, Iris strives to be the type of girl Andrei likes, but just appears trying hard in the process.

• Neil Ryan Sese as Eric Fuentebella - A former seaman who made it big and created a hotel dynasty. He has connections with Andrei and Roseanne’s lives. He is the biological father of Roseanne / Abigail. He falls in love with Remy and eventually got married with her. However, he gets jealous with the attention and love Remy is giving to Roseanne, not knowing that the latter is actually his long-lost daughter.

• Sweet Ramos as Barbie Tamondong - Roseanne's fiercest rival. Ambitious and egotistic. Determined to be a famous biritera, she will do whatever is necessary to achieve her goals. In the middle part of the story, Barbie transfers to a new manager, which is Ms. Suzie, in hope that she be able to outshine Roseanne's blooming career.

• Barbara Miguel as Darling - A spoiled, envious and self-centered child star who will do everything just to maintain her star status. Eventually, Darling became a close friend to Roseanne.

• Scarlet as Mrs. Mylene Tamondong - Barbie’s arrogant and haughty mother. She goes all out to her daughter’s dreams and ambitions.

Extended Cast

• Jaya Ramsey as Susie
• Orlando Sol as Egay
• Ken Chan as Popoy
• Kiel Rodriguez as Miko
• Patricia Ysmael as Beverly
• Kim Rodriguez as Gwen
• Hiro Magalona as Teofi
• Jamaika Olivarez as Kleng-Kleng
• Nomer Limatog Jr. as Miguelito
• Tanya Gomez as Yaya Krising
• Myra Carel as Bevs
• Moi Scarlet as Mrs Tamondong
• Mary Roldan as Nurse Cecile

Guest Appearance

• Claudine Barretto as Carmela Abesamis†
• Jillian Ward as Louise May Imperial†
• Glenda Garcia as Marissa Marcelino
• Rachelle Ann Go as Lara
• Miguel Tanfelix as young Andrei
• Romano Vasquez as Lito
• Bubbles Paraiso as Herself
• Gerald Pizzaras as Paco Arcega
• Jan Marini Alano as Mariel Arcega
• Ernie Garcia as Don Mauro Fuentebella
• Evangeline Pascual as Olivia Fuentebella
• Bettina Carlos as Clarissa
• Chinggay Riego as Darling's mother

Critical and Audience Reception

The series continues to gather positive feedback, both coming from the viewers and critics, making Biritera leads the ratings game. According to AGB Nielsen Philippines, the series gathered 26.7% Household rating points from February 6 - 10 (premiere week) as compared to its rival show in ABS-CBN which only got 19.5% rating points. In Urban Luzon, which represents 77 percent of urban television household of the whole country, Biritera got 25.0% points versus its competitor's 21.2% points. The series continues to widen its gap on its third week on air (February 20 - 24) by gathering 24.6% points in Mega Manila as compared to 20.0% points of the counterpart show.^[6][7]

Both Dennis Trillo and Angelika dela Cruz's performances were praised by critics and audience saying that having accomplished leads in the persona of Dennis Trillo and Angelika dela Cruz in clean-cut bida roles helps greatly in forging a connection to the story this early. After his recent roles in TV and film had him taking on more maangas, bad boy hero characters, it is a welcome change to see Trillo in a more good guy, older brother role. For Angelika dela Cruz, this is her first opportunity for a long time to play as a heroine instead of an antagonist. And while she may be effective in villainous roles, dela Cruz has shown she is capable of much more. While Biritera may be a harmless family drama, it would be nice to see both Dennis Trillo and Angelika dela Cruz given great material, not to mention a promising and witty young cast. Though a simple premise, the first two weeks have shown Biritera can be a fully satisfying drama with opportunities for depth. ^[8]

Music

Theme Song

• Ang Lahat Ng Ito'y Para Sa 'Yo (All Of These Are For You) is a song composed by Nonong Pedero and originally sung by Hajji Alejandro. In 1998, Lani Misalucha revives the song (released by VIVA Records) and used as the theme song of the movie with the same title, starring Angelu de Leon and Bobby Andrews. The song's lyrics tell of a person declaring she would give "her all" for the one she loves the most.

Other Songs

Below is the list of songs used by the series in its entire run.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
• List of telenovelas of GMA Network
• List of soap operas
• Diva
• Kaputol ng Isang Awit
• Bakekang
• Little Star

References

External links

• GMA Network official website
• GMA Network Official Facebook Page
• Biritera on Facebook Official Facebook Page