(International title: Perfect Vengeance / ) is a 2013 Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Laurice Guillen, it stars Lovi Poe. It premiered on September 9, 2013, on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Mundo Mo'y Akin. The series concluded on December 27, 2013, with a total of 79 episodes. It was replaced by Rhodora X in its timeslot.
Cast and characters
Lead cast
Lovi Poe as Lovelia Villacorta / Lovelia Ignacio Santos Villacorta-Sandoval
Supporting cast
Rocco Nacino as Jerry Sandoval / Jericho/Gerard Sebastian
Cesar Montano as Conrad Alperos
Charee Pineda as Agatha Morales
Gary Estrada as Roel Villacorta
Liza Lorena as Beatrice Villacorta
Gloria Romero as Cristina Alperos
Solenn Heussaff as Jade Carmelo
Ruru Madrid as Junior Morales
Glenda Garcia as Jenny
Rodjun Cruz as Xyrus
Tiya Pusit as Selya
Guest cast
Ina Feleo as Emma Ignacio
Freddie Webb as Jaime Villacorta
Kier Legaspi as Brando Morales
Jaclyn Jose as Gilda
Kyle Ocampo as Onay
Dex Quindoza as Jun
Leandro Baldemor as Franco Clarete
Lollie Mara as Conchita
Steven Silva as Tisoy
Jan Marini as Ailyn Medrano
Bryan Benedict
Production
Conception and development
In late April 2013, GMA Network announced that they were developing a yet-to-be-titled Lovi Poe-starrer primetime drama project. The network's resident screenwriter, Denoy Navarro-Punio conceptualized and developed the story which tells of "a woman born out of wedlock, and who, amidst adversaries, gets back on her feet to claim the life and love she deserves."
The network's drama department hired seasoned actress and director, Laurice Guillen to helm the series. In an interview, when asked what got her to accepting an assignment she, in the past, had dodged (she appeared on several television series as an actor, but she wouldn't dip her fingers into it as a director), Guillen admitted that "the offer was good, plus more." The network [for one], accommodated certain requests pertaining to shooting schedules given her aversion to taping long hours or till the "wee" hours of the morning. As to the actors she assembled for the series, Guillen said she was glad that most, if not all, of them are competent performers and "they are the best cast possible in terms of talent and professionalism". She's also very happy with the story, with the writers and creative team, and the network support. Apart from that, Guillen also stated her more personal reasons for saying "yes", said that "I told myself, when will I do something like this? [...] I'm not getting any younger, and when I am no longer physically capable of directing one, I don't want to regret that I didn't do it, at least once."
Production began in June 2013. Most of the series' were shot on location in Tagaytay. Other locations include Antipolo, Quiapo, Manila, and San Juan. The official cast photos, logo and teasers were released in July 2013, while its first-look trailer was released on September 5. The premiere was planned for July 29, but because of some unexpected production-related problems, delayed until September 9, 2013. The show is originally slated to run for sixteen weeks. However, in an interview (Business World, dated November 18, 2013), Poe revealed that the series has been extended for another five weeks "after gaining a strong following since it debuted in September."
Casting
The network began casting for Akin Pa Rin ang Bukas in May 2013. The first actor to be cast was Lovi Poe as the lead protagonist Lovelia Villacorta, followed by Rocco Nacino as Jerry, the love interest.
After the first sit down meeting with creative director Jun Lana, Cesar Montano immediately agreed to star on the series. Montano also stated that it was his desire to work again with director, Laurice Guillen—who was his director in the 1989 film Ang Bukas ay Akin, which he won his very first acting award—as one of the main reasons why he accepted the project.
The network also announced the inclusion of Solenn Heussaff, Gary Estrada and Charee Pineda as series regulars. The role of Jade Carmelo was originally offered to Alessandra de Rossi but she turned it down, and so it was given to Heussaff. Estrada signed on to portray Roel Villacorta, while Pineda was cast as the main villain Agatha Morales.