It was an emotional finale press conference for the cast and creatives of Bagong Umaga, a series that stars Heaven Peralejo, Tony Labrusca, Barbie Imperial, Kiko Estrada, Michelle Vito, and Yves Flores.
The screen will fade into black on the family drama on Friday after successfully sharing a heartwarming story that many audiences have been hooked on since October.
“We created the story before the pandemic, then we pitched it before lockdown. We thought this project would no longer push through. We wanted to share a family story so I guess it’s meant to be that it’s airing during these trying times. October last year when we started, it’s a long journey because it’s hard to produce a program under quarantine,” said producer and business unit head Rizza “Mamu” Ebriega.
“I’m very thankful to the creative team, production staff, and our directors. This is not just an ordinary story of baby switching. We were able to expand the story about different types of parenting and their responsibilities whether it’s their biological child or otherwise,” Ebriega carried on.
Production manager Katherine San Pablo echoed Ebriega’s sentiments saying, “It was hard to come up with a new program while we are in a pandemic. But if you’re coming up with a story that involves family, and the people behind the project treat each other as a family as well, everything would be easy.”
For creative manager Mel Mendoza del Rosario, it was not an easy journey for the cast and crew, given that some members of the cast even contracted the COVID-19 virus while the show was still in production. Some of them publicly chronicled their battle against the virus including Sunshine Cruz, Nikki Valdez, Heaven Peralejo, and Keempee de Leon, and recently Barbie Imperial and Tony Labrusca who said during the finale press conference that they, too, have survived the deadly virus.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey. Every time that we had to change a person working on the series, change location or schedule, you know, things beyond our control, our team really gave their 100 percent effort. Apart from the producers, I also wanted to thank the artists who gave life to the characters that we created,” Del Rosario shared.
“The veteran actors, as expected, gave their all and delivered. I was no longer surprised. Now, for the young artists, I hope, this project serves as their workshop from the best,” she added.
Meanwhile, for the final episode of Bagong Umaga, Heaven is getting closer to pinning Diana (Glydel Mercado) for her crimes against her family and friends but she and her parents will face grave danger in the final week of “Bagong Umaga.” Diana escaped while being transferred to another mental facility.
Hospital staff and authorities discovered her communicating with suspicious individuals using a phone hidden in her room. Unbeknownst to all, she intended to be caught because the only way she could successfully escape is when she is transferred to another hospital.
Diana remains thirsty for revenge even after her escape and finding out that her daughter is still alive. She still wants to have the Veradonas killed because she believes that only when Tisay is gone will her daughter come to her.
But she will not be able to do this alone. She needs the help of one of Ian’s enemies–—Matthew (Richard Quan).
Will Diana be able to convince Matthew to kill the Veradonas? Will their plan be discovered?
Watch the finale of Bagong Umaga on A2Z channel, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live via the YouTube channel and Facebook page of ABS-CBN Entertainment, and iWantTFC. Outside the country, it is available on The Filipino Channel.