Sofia Andres as ‘Syrena’

March 4, 2016 7:42 pm

In 2014, IBC-13 set the trend of fantasy series on primetime TV like Janella in Wonderland which is putting the 7:45 p.m. slot against Honteso and Adarna. As it managed to snatch the ratings of an unbeatable fantaseryes, ABS-CBN and GMA was then forcing to dominate the mermaid wars of Dyesebel and Kambal Sirena.

Now, IBC-13 makes a splash with another “fantaserye” genre about the mermaid.

17-year-old teen actress Sofia Andres as Syrena, a mermaid fantasy story about a girl who will transform into a mermaid. The series will premiere on March 7, Monday on the network’s prime time block.

At the press launch on Wednesday, Sofia confessed that she finds her latest project a refreshing challenge.

Sofia is one of the most promising young artists of IBC-13, when the network molding the homegrown stars. She entered showbiz as she got her homegrown talent of IBC-13.

Since then, she becoming one of IBC-13’s primetime princesses along with Janella Salvador, Sue Ramirez, Liza Soberano, Cherryz Mendoza and Michelle Vito, Sofia's efforts at working on her craft.

“This will be the first time I’ll be doing a fantasy series for Sofia every night,” she related. “At the same time, I feel you that a fantasy series will give this project.”

The much-awaited fantasy tale follows the story of a young mermaid, Syrena (Alyanna Angeles) was born as in 7-year-old, as the Princess of Oceanatic, an underwater kingdom. She discovers the world above the infinite ocean and locks in a fierce love triangle. Ruled by her mother Queen Elisa (Angel Aquino) who meets the pink-purple dolphin named Zuma (voiced by Xyriel Manabat). In the land, Syrena was being her into a human with her mom Linda (Kaye Abad) and his dad Alvin (Richard Quan). Bryan Rivera (Tom Taus), an older brother who prevent the fisher and approached by Mandy (Beauty Gonzalez) revealed that looks for Syrena.

In the meantime, Syrena will jumped into the sea, however, Syrena (Sofia) who turning at 17, was swim and she discovered under the sea in water as Syrena used her magical necklace to transform into a mermaid and went to Oceanatic while Syrena met up with her mother Queen Elisa, and also Fishy. She revealed the sea of the sea lion Seal (voiced by Miguel Vergara) that contact between merpeople and is forbidden. She meets Fishy’s mermaid friends Kayla (Bianca Casado) and Xylie (Ayla Mendero). In the land, Rico Rivera (Diego Loyzaga), a popular boy who lying down in the sand while Syrena learns of her love for Rico.

Computer-generated imagery (CGI) will be used the fantaserye with the scenes of underwater using the 3D animation and updated editing software will be used, along with various other technologies.

The 7:45 p.m. primetime slot of Syrena is a good timeslot for the fantaserye as they tried to compete with a locally-produced teleserye such as FPJ's Ang Probinsyano and Little Nanay.

Sofia is referring to a powerhouse cast of Diego Loyzaga, Kaye Abad, Richard Quan, Tom Taus and Beauty Gonzalez, along with Mika Dela Cruz, Yna Uy, Eugene Herrera, Renz Valerio and Kurt Perez. Also part of Syrena are Angel Aquino as Elisa, Bianca Casado, Ayla Mendero, Piero Vergara, Erin Ocampo, Karla Aguas and Devon Seron, the mermaid girls of Milkcah Nacion, Brenna Garcia and Alexandra Quimbao, the animated voices of Xyriel Manabat as Fishy, Miguel Vergara as Seal, Teejay Marquez as Xylie's Pet Fish, Carlos Agassi as Reba, Hiyasmin Neri as Dreamfishy and DJ Durano as Puffarazzi, as well as the villains are Assunta de Rossi as the evil mermaid Vica and Paolo Ballesteros as the voice of Stargazers.

Still, IBC-13, dubbed as the home of fantaseryes, is banking on Andres to bring in the needed numbers in the crazy ratings war among the three major players in the TV industry.

It is directed by Jeffrey Jeturian and Cathy O. Camarillo. According to director Jeffrey, viewers should focus the story about mermaids and sea creatures from the series as the script also brings the underwater scenes will look forward for the tale.

Syrena premieres this March 7 at 7:45 p.m. after Express Balita on IBC-13’s Kapinoy Primetime.