- Source: La Vida Lena
La Vida Lena is a Philippine revenge drama television series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, Jojo Saguin and Andoy Ranay, it stars Erich Gonzales in the title role. The fast-cut version of the series was streamed on iWantTFC from November 14, 2020 to January 16, 2021. The full version of the series was aired on the network's Primetime Bida evening block from June 28, 2021 to February 4, 2022.
Plot
Despite being the subject of bullying and discrimination because of the big scar on her face, Magda refuses to let criticisms get to her and strives hard to secure a comfortable life for her family. Using her skills and intelligence, she hits the jackpot when the soap she created quickly gains popularity in the town of Salvacion. However, the young lady's success does not sit well with the Narciso family, the owners of Royal Wellness, the biggest surgical and cosmetic company in the country. When Magda refuses to sell her formula to the Narcisos due to their contrasting views, a string of bad luck comes her way. Losing everything dear to her, Magda returns with a new face, armed with determination to retaliate against the powerful clan who ruined her life.
Cast and characters
= Main cast
=Erich Gonzales as Magdalena "Lena" Mendoza Narciso-Cabrera
Carlo Aquino as Jordan Cabrera
JC de Vera as Adrian Narciso / Adrian Suarez
Kit Thompson as Miguel Villarica
Agot Isidro as Vanessa Rubio-Narciso
Raymond Bagatsing as Lukas Narciso
Janice de Belen as Ramona Joaquin
= Supporting cast
=Sofia Andres as Rachel Suarez-Villarica
Pen Medina as Francisco "Kiko" Cabrera
Ruby Ruiz as Digna Abuel-Cabrera
Christian Vasquez as Conrad Suarez
Malou Crisologo as Martina Ramirez
Josh Ivan Morales as Brian Rubio
Hasna Cabral as Bettina "Betchay" Buenafe
Renshi de Guzman as Rambo Lumba
Danica Ontengco as Allison Suarez / Alice Garcia
= Guest cast
=Isay Alvarez as Helen Mendoza
Miguel Faustmann as Don Luis Narciso
Giovanni Baldesseri as Fernando Castro
Soliman Cruz as Diosdado "Dado" Mendoza
Production
= Casting
=Ivana Alawi was originally cast for the lead role, with a working title Lihim ni Ligaya. The pre-production had started and the cast was already introduced during a presscon back in February 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced community quarantine in Luzon in March 2020, Alawi backed out of the project; her main reason was to avoid risking the health of her family as she will be exposed during lock-in tapings. In August, Deo Endrinal, the head of Dreamscape Entertainment, approached Erich Gonzales to take on the lead role. The title of the series is officially named La Vida Lena, inspired by Jojo Saguin, one of the directors who is known to her colleague named Lena. From Ligaya, the lead character's name was changed to Magdalena Mendoza. Several recasting and revisions in the script are being made to suit the new theme and new cast. La Vida Lena served as Gonzales' return to television two years after playing her first triple role in The Blood Sisters (2018).
= Filming duration
=Pre-production started in September 2020. The entire cast and crew underwent rigorous procedures and COVID-19 protocols before heading down to their filming location at Antipolo. The first cycle of lock-in taping started on October 1, 2020, and finished on October 17, 2020. Second cycle of taping resumed on November 15, 2020, and finished on December 4, 2020. Third cycle of taping started on January 10, 2021, and finished on January 30, 2021. The fourth and final cycle of taping concluded in February 2021.
Reception
La Vida Lena was one of the most watched TV programs among U.S. multicultural Asian homes in September 2021. The series was also the most watched show on iWantTFC. According to AGB Neilsen, the series received 3.9% TV ratings on August 30, 2021, beating its timeslot rival The Sand Princess (3.2%) despite limited reach on free television.
Awards and nominations
See also
List of Kapamilya Channel original programming
List of Kapamilya Online Live original programming
List of Jeepney TV original programming
List of A2Z (TV channel) original programming
List of TV5 (Philippine TV network) original programming
List of ABS-CBN original drama series
References
External links
La Vida Lena at IMDb
La Vida Lena on iWantTFC
Kata Kunci Pencarian:
- Ang sa Iyo Ay Akin
- Celestino Gorostiza
- Massiel
- Khawarij
- Daftar seri drama orisinal ABS-CBN
- Échame la Culpa
- Penghargaan Musik Asia Mnet
- J.K. Rowling
- Spanyol dalam Kontes Lagu Eurovision 2010
- Spanyol dalam Kontes Lagu Eurovision 1984
- La Vida Lena
- List of La Vida Lena episodes
- List of A2Z (TV channel) original programming
- Janice de Belen
- Kit Thompson
- Erich Gonzales
- List of Kapamilya Channel original programming
- List of iWantTFC original programming
- Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin
- List of Philippine drama series
