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Heart-tearing drama of undying love

Author: Sun.Star
Column: Bacolod, Entertainment

FOR many, the magic that exists with finding the one and only person destined to be your true love is written in the stars. And like all great love stories, the unconditional and eternal love it spells in their lives transcends all boundaries that lasts a lifetime.

Beginning September 14, GMA ups the ante of its primetime slate bringing another well-loved Pinoy adaptation of a hit Koreanovela that redefines the genre of classic dramas. A beautiful and timeless tale of undying love between two people will be explored in the highly-anticipated premiere of "Stairway to Heaven."

This series became the network's highest-rating primetime Koreanovela in 2005 and spawned a huge following and fascination among Filipinos. It extraordinarily revealed the complexities of love in real life, the magic which is created when two hearts beat for each other that the bond between them cannot be broken unless one of them dies.

And to reprise the immensely popular characters in the Pinoy remake are internationally acclaimed actor and one of GMA's most eligible leading men, Dingdong Dantes as the Pinoy "Cholo," and versatile and ravishing actress Rhian Ramos as the Pinay "Jodi."

Dingdong and Rhian are both primed to star in this enthralling classic series with their great raw talents and supreme acting caliber. The chemistry of the two onscreen is palpably strong and there has been brewing excitement among fans and viewers for Dingdong and Rhian's team-up.

This story opens with two childhood best friends, Cholo and Jodi. They have always been meant for each other and, eventually, the two become lovers. But Cholo departs to study in America and promises to come back for Jodi.

Jodi's father remarries and her stepmother Maita Aragon makes her life a living hell. She viciously controls Jodi's every move and punishes her cruelly. Even her double-faced stepsister Eunice schemes to destroy Jodi and claim all her possessions.

Tristan, Jodi's stepbrother, mistakes her kindness for affection and gradually falls in love with her.

Five years later, Cholo returns home to find and marry Jodi. But due to an orchestrated accident, Jodi is run over by Eunice's car. She loses her memory and remembers nothing of Cholo.

Tristan takes Jodi with him because he wanted her so bad. Eunice wants everyone to believe Jodi is dead. Cholo is devastated but never forgets his one true love.

Another five years later, Cholo's heart remains irreparably wrecked for he has never forgotten Jodi. Cholo relentlessly pursues his childhood love Jodi. He will stop at nothing to find her. But one day, he sees a girl who looks like Jodi and this convinces him that Jodi is still alive.

Can Cholo's genuine love and affection for Jodi bring her memory back? Will Eunice and Maita Aragon's fiendish quest to separate the two fated lovers prosper? How long can Tristan hide the truth to Jodi? As Cholo relentlessly pursues his childhood love Jodi, can he accept the harsh reality of Jodi's deplorable illness? Will our star-crossed lovers fulfill their destiny to once and for all be together even in the next lifetime?

Completing the constellation of star-studded cast are Jean Garcia as Maita Aragon; Glaiza de Castro as Eunice; TJ Trinidad as Tristan; Sandy Andolong as Ms. Zoila; Jestoni Alarcon as Arch Jovan Reyes; Soliman Cruz as Dindo; Joshua Dionisio as young Cholo; Barbie Forteza as young Jodi; Joana Marie Tan as young Eunice; Jhake Vargas as young Tristan; Karen delos Reyes as Badet; Carlo Gonzales as Enrico and Paul Holme as Mr. John.

Under the helm of two A-list directors in the country, Bb. Joyce Bernal and Andoy Ranay, "Stairway to Heaven" offers more than just a tearjerker with a poignant tale and unforgettable characters from beginning to end.

It also possesses all the facets of a classic drama that stands out for its heart-thumping scenes involving betrayals, picturesque locations in Subic, Zambales and Enchanted Kingdom and topnotch production values that naturally highlight the remake's many heart-wrenching moments.

"Stairway to Heaven" also prides itself for its sublime theme song which tugs the viewer's heartstrings every time they hear it, sung by no less than Asia's Songbird Ms Regine Velasquez.

Behold the unconditional story of undying love beginning Monday right after 'Darna' on GMA Telebabad. (Press release)

Published in the Sun.Star Bacolod newspaper on September 9, 2009.

Source: Sunstar Daily