"Koch" with a Short "O"

I have been watching some soap operas sporadically because of three reasons: I'm doing something else when these shows are on, my erratic schedule arriving home at night and I channel surf a lot. But of all the local soap operas I have seen, Tayong Dalawa has the perfect casting. No, I won't comment about the plot nor the roles of each character but the casting that made the story line alive.

Tayong Dalawa posted the second highest rating soap from the Kapamilya channel. They were able to topple Kapuso's Dingdong-Marian tandem. The casting has never been so perfect. Each one fits to his role especially the demented Agot Isidro, the funny, street-smart grandmother Gina Pareno and that of Cherry Pie.

The highest rating goes to May Bukas Pa. It's been extended till next year I heard. Desiree Verdadero (playing the mayor's mistress) acts well but looking at her and the suave Albert Martinez (the mayor) seems a bit odd. I'm not sure why. Desiree is pretty alright but maybe a sexier personality will be perfect for the role. Angelica Panganiban maybe.

Another miscast is John Estrada as Lorna Tolentino's husband in Dahil May Isang Ikaw. It's not that he is way younger than Lorna. It doesn't show really but there could have been an actor in the caliber of Lorna and Gabby (the soap's senior leading man) which could make this a casting coup. On my mind is Albert Martinez but he's still in another soap.

Sid Lucero is perfect for the role of an obsessed man. He is intense without over acting. I hate him. He is disgusting. He is very effective in his role. Surprisingly, Karylle gives out a realistic performance. She has a nice speaking voice for one. She can carry a role of someone that you should hate but instead will take pity on because of her obsession and her love for her mother.

Oh yes, Dahil May Isang Ikaw revolves around obsession. John's character is obsessed with Lorna. Chinchin's character is obsessed with Gabby. Gabby and Lorna are obsessed with each other so are Jericho and Kristine. Sid is obsessed with Kristine and Karylle with Jericho. My, oh, my.

The biggest miscast is Zanjo Marudo as Martin in the Filipino version of Lovers in Paris. I knew it from the very start. Martin is supposed to be a happy-go-lucky street smart rich guy. He's supposed to be somebody cosmopolitan. He has traveled the world and stayed for some time in Paris as a vagabond.

But when you see Zanjo, and hear him speak, you'll wonder if he has been anywhere but in the streets of Tralala. He cannot even pronounce the word "coach" properly. The scene sometimes is suppose to be in its dramatic highlight and suddenly you'll hear Zanjo say "koch", "koch" with a short "o". Can somebody coach him how to be in his role so he won't look like a sore thumb when in the same scene with the dashing Piolo Pascual and still handsome Christopher de Leon? Zanjo is fine but certainly miscast as Martin.