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Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star
June 23, 2025 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The female stars of “Asawa ng Asawa Ko” and “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,” Kylie Padilla and Kazel Kinouchi, respectively, are coming together to lead the GMA Afternoon Prime family drama, “My Father’s Wife.” The show premieres today at 2:30 p.m. and will air Mondays to Saturdays.
They present new faces and facets of women, who are in love and bravely dealing with the repercussions that it may entail.
Kylie’s Gina and Kazel’s Betsy are best friends who come from well-off and working-class families, according to the synopsis. To support Betsy in her American dream, Gina gives in to the idea of entering into a marriage of convenience with Gerald, Betsy’s boyfriend (played by Jak Roberto). Love develops between Gina and Gerald. Betsy feels betrayed and plans to be part of Gina’s family by getting close to her best friend’s father Robert (portrayed by Gabby Concepcion).
The four characters’ lives intersect, along with their agenda and intentions, providing the audience a space to see and understand their plight and psyche instead of taking sides.
Kylie and Kazel with fellow female lead stars of GMA Afternoon Prime shows — Lianne Valentin and Andrea Torres of ‘Akusada’ and Vina Morales and Gladys Reyes of ‘Cruz vs. Cruz.’
“Because of that, because of how complicated the story is, but also the characters are,” said Kylie of the reason for getting onboard with the project in a recent group interview, “especially with Gina. Mabait siyang tao… pero bumigay din siya sa temptation kaya medyo nagalit yung best friend (She’s a good person but also gave in to temptation. That’s why her best friend becomes a bit mad at her). But Gina has her reason. That’s what I like, it’s a very complex character and it’s very interesting to play.”
She added that the characters in “My Father’s Wife” are not the usual black and white, which makes for an enjoyable portrayal.
To be in the zone, Kylie and Kazel had to grasp the acting approach director Aya Topacio had in mind.
“She wants us as much as possible to play for the role, not play for TV,” said Kylie. “So, stay true to your character and you know, the audience will follow.”
It’s not the one that adjusts to the audience or is determined by its preference.
“My Father’s Wife,” by the way, is the first acting assignment together of Kylie and Kazel.
“It is really on the show where we’ve met,” shared Kazel, attributing the few workshops they have attended to establishing rapport and building an amiable and collaborative foundation.
“We also requested additional workshops just for the two of us,” added she.
That helps them to carry out intense scenes that require them to deliver their part and respect work boundaries.
“Nagkaroon naman kami ng foundation outside the character, empathy for each other,” said Kylie, who is working for the second time with fellow “Bolera” actor Jak.
“Nanduon pa rin yung ano namin, na-form namin na friendship sa ‘Bolera,’ (the friendship we’ve formed is still there),” said Kylie. “I told the whole team if you’d be getting Jak (to be my screen partner), you would not have a problem when it comes to our chemistry because we’ve worked together and you’ll see our chemistry onscreen.”
Given the backstory of their characters, it is a prime consideration.
As for Kazel, she is also fortunate to be collaborating with veteran actor Gabby Concepcion.
“(It’s) light, and he is very easy to work with, and he wouldn’t make you feel like I’m Gabby Concepcion,” said she. “He’s very generous and also very supportive. I’m very happy to work with him. Of course, (I feel) very honored.”
Since they played their previous roles for quite some time, Kylie and Kazel have made sure that their portrayals of Gina and Betsy have no traces of billiard prodigy Joni-company president Hannah and doctor Zoey.
But specific details about their characters come in handy in this bit of their work.
“It is very different, like, the social status of Betsy as compared to Zoey,” said Kazel. “Betsy grew up with nothing. So, even the way I talk and dress up as the character and other nuances are really different from those of Zoey. So, I had to make her look (different) and I don’t want people to say that Betsy seems like Zoey or Zoey is still seen as Betsy. I want them to see me here as Betsy.”
Kylie, on the other hand, shared that she loves the story arc of Gina and since people have their own journeys in real life, then viewers should also look forward to that unfolding aspect of the characters, as one may put it, encompassing their growth.
Although audiences will have an idea about Gina and Betsy’s nature and true colors, the dramatis personae remain subject to change and eventually become dynamic.
“There are reasons behind her actions,” said Kazel.
“You will feel empathy for (the character). That’s what we want,” added Kylie. “You’ll feel empathy. You will love to hate her but you’ll get her (and understand where she is coming from).”
“People may not agree with her choices, but they will understand,” concluded Kazel.
