MANILA, Philippines – Upcoming fantasy series Bagani has been the talk of the town as people debate over foreign-looking actors being cast in a story inspired by pre-colonial Philippine mythology.
The debate has prompted Bagani star Liza Soberano to defend herself and her Filipino identity by saying her father is a “full Filipino,” and asserting her love for sinigang – a statement that has since birthed a new meme. (READ: 'Bagani' draws flak for casting, Liza Soberano responds)
And while Liza Soberano certainly isn’t any less Filipino than other people in the industry (whether they love sinigang or not), here are some equally talented stars that can bring that showbiz diversity that many people are now calling for.
Maymay Entrata
{source}<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZtdc17hNFf/" data-instgrm-version="8" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:61.75925925925926% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAABGdBTUEAALGPC/xhBQAAAAFzUkdCAK7OHOkAAAAMUExURczMzPf399fX1+bm5mzY9AMAAADiSURBVDjLvZXbEsMgCES5/P8/t9FuRVCRmU73JWlzosgSIIZURCjo/ad+EQJJB4Hv8BFt+IDpQoCx1wjOSBFhh2XssxEIYn3ulI/6MNReE07UIWJEv8UEOWDS88LY97kqyTliJKKtuYBbruAyVh5wOHiXmpi5we58Ek028czwyuQdLKPG1Bkb4NnM+VeAnfHqn1k4+GPT6uGQcvu2h2OVuIf/gWUFyy8OWEpdyZSa3aVCqpVoVvzZZ2VTnn2wU8qzVjDDetO90GSy9mVLqtgYSy231MxrY6I2gGqjrTY0L8fxCxfCBbhWrsYYAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; position:relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BZtdc17hNFf/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">"Fairytale is real" - - Special thanks to @starmagicphils Family, PBB Family, at sa lahat ng sumuporta di dahil sainyo naging Fairytale buhay ko At shempre ang Forevs Glam team Family! (Team na Family pa ) Styling by #TEAMRAINXEM (@teamrainxem) Head Stylists RAIN DAGALA (@rainierdagala) and EM MILLAN (@emmillan) Assisted by CHINO AGUILAR (@chinobrownleeaguilar), REGINE ALDABA (@reginealdaba), JERNIH AGAPITO (@jernihagapito), and ALYSSA DE GUZMAN (@alyssa_deguzman) Stylist Assistant J-ANNE AGUIRRE Gown by one and only Mr. MARK BUMGARNER (@markbumgarner) Jewelries by JMA JEWELRY (@jmajewelry) @stephayson @suzetteayson Make up by EMMAN DE LEON (@emmandeleonmakeup) Hair by JAYMAR LAHAYHAY (@jaymarlahaylahay)VIDEO PRODUCED AND DIRECTED by (@luminousfilmsph) Photos by JACK ALINDAHAO (@jackalindahao) . . At sa lahat ng tumulong para mas maging memorable po ang gabing yun maraming salamat po. - - #nothingisimpossible #starmagicball2017</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/maymay/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> MayMay Entrata</a> (@maymay) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2017-10-01T15:24:16+00:00">Oct 1, 2017 at 8:24am PDT</time></p></div></blockquote> <script async defer src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>{/source}
The Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) alum is ready to take over the world as she dazzles fans with every appearance (most recently, she brought on the Disney princess realness for a Mega Magazine shoot), and we don’t doubt she’ll be doing the same when she steps into a fantaserye role.
Gabbi Garcia
Gabbi Garcia is no stranger to fantaseryes, having played Sang’gre Alena in rival network GMA’s Encantadia. This show would be right up her alley, and they can probably find a way to write her singing chops into the role as well.
Nadine Lustre
As half of one of the hottest love teams in the country, Nadine definitely has the star power to get people to tune in to a show like this. Plus, it’d be great to see the actress take on a role that’s different from anything she’s done before.
Maris Racal
Another PBB graduate, Maris proved her acting mettle when she appeared in the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival’s Haunted Forest. The actress may be ready for her breakout role in a fantaserye.
Inigo Pascual
With Iñigo’s music career well underway, it’s only a matter of time before we see the young star take on a leading role in the vein of his father – and Bagani would have been the perfect opportunity.
Rocco Nacino
It cannot be denied that Rocco is leading man material. His martial arts training will also for sure come in handy for Bagani’s battle scenes.
Edgar Allan Guzman
The MMFF 2018 Best Supporting Actor winner is definitely a chameleon who can adapt into any character.
JM De Guzman
After a stint in rehab, the actor is poised to make a comeback, which a show like Bagani would be perfect for.
Who would you love to see in Bagani? Sound off in the comments! – Rappler.com
