Ang Pangarap Kong Teleserye: ‘Florante at Laura’ Edition
by Anne Marielle Eugenio, June 21, 2019 5:10pm
Art by Ahl Mirambel
If there’s one iconic love story we encountered during our school days, it’s Florante at Laura—a classic tale of how good triumphs over evil written by Francisco “Balagtas” Baltazar. Florante at Laura is set in the 14th century Albania, a time when the Ottoman Empire (Turkey) ruled over the mentioned Southeast European country. This story of love and friendship focuses on Florante, the prince of Albania, and his hardships before he can be with Laura, the love of her life. Along his journey, he meets unlikely friends who helped him overthrow the main villain, Count Adolfo.
This story is considered one of the masterpieces in Philippine Literature. It was adapted into a movie about 70 years ago, but we never got a more recent adaptation. We are dreaming of a Florante at Laura TV series! Since it is a masterpiece, it deserves only the best cast. We have prospect local actors who might be perfect for the job:
Florante
Actor: Marlo Mortel
One of the most promising actors of his generation, Marlo Mortel would make a great Florante. His charms and good looks (not to mention his acting prowess) would pass as the prince of Albania. Marlo is also a good singer so if this adaptation would turn into a musical, he would not have a problem.
View this post on Instagram
Laura
Actor: Jane de Leon
Jane de Leon is one of the prettiest faces in the showbiz industry today and she performed in different local TV shows. Even though Jane has not landed major leading roles, that doesn’t mean she couldn’t play Laura, the beautiful daughter of a royal and the love interest of our main male character, Florante.
View this post on Instagram
Adolfo
Actor: Arjo Atayde
We’ve seen Arjo Atayde play Joaquin, the deceitful antagonist of the long-running teleserye Ang Probinsyano. Adolfo is just as deceiving in terms of kidnapping the protagonist’s love interest. No doubts about Arjo playing Adolfo.
View this post on Instagram
Aladin
Actor: Ruru Madrid
Aladin is the man who saves Florante in the gloomy forest. Ruru Madrid would be perfect to play our protagonist’s savior, given his strong features and athletic physique.
View this post on Instagram
Flerida
Actor: Sanya Lopez
Flerida is Laura’s savior and Aladin’s other half. Sanya Lopez can play the “palaban” character in the story. Let’s hear it for strong independent women!
View this post on Instagram
Menandro
Actor: Jameson Blake
Menandro was there to save Florante from the hands of Adolfo and was always fighting by his side. Jameson Blake seems like the actor who could portray the loyal best friend of Florante.
View this post on Instagram
Duke Briseo
Actor: Richard Gomez
Duke Briseo is Florante’s father and the main character’s dad deserve only the best actor. Richard Gomez has been dubbed as a great artist for several generations and has portrayed father roles in series. And we think he only gets better with age.
View this post on InstagramIt's game time! Have you ever tried playing beach volleyball? It is so tiring but so much fun to do.
Prinsesa Floresca
Actor: Dawn Zulueta
Since Richard Gomez would play Florante’s father, why not pick Dawn Zulueta as our protagonist’s mom? Let’s include a timeless love team in a classic tale, shall we?
View this post on Instagram
Haring Linceo
Actor: Christopher de Leon
Christopher de Leon has been playing dad roles both in films and on television. We want to see him play the role of a father again, but this time, wearing a robe and a crown.
View this post on Instagram
Antenor
Actor: Dingdong Dantes
Atenor is the teacher of Florante, Menandro, and Adolfo. As a mentor, we could assume Atenor should exude wisdom and that is something Dingdong Dantes could handle effortlessly.
View this post on Instagram
Konde Sileno
Actor: Ian Veneracion
As his character description goes, he is the father of Adolfo. But unlike his son, Konde Sileno is a good guy—if Ian Veneracion’s looks do not scream a good father figure, we do not know what will.
View this post on Instagram
Heneral Miramolin
Actor: Gardo Versoza
Heneral Miramolin is the leader of the Turks who wants to colonize Albania. With Gardo Versoza’s strong physical features and experience in acting, it would be a piece of cake for him to portray a general.
View this post on Instagram
Heneral Osmalik
Actor: Mon Confiado
In the film Heneral Luna, Mon Confiado played Emilio Aguinaldo and he appeared as a stern leader. If he can pull that off, he can surely take over the role of Heneral Osmalik.
View this post on Instagram
Sultan Ali-abab
Actor: Zoren Legaspi
We’ve always loved Zoren Legaspi’s mischievous good looks. With this, he is the perfect actor to play Sultan Ali-abab—Aladin’s father who took away his love interest Flerida.
View this post on Instagram
Menalipo
Actor: Jericho Rosales
Menalipo is the reason why Florante, his cousin, was alive. He saved him from vultures when Florante was still an infant, indicating a certain age gap between the two. Jericho and Marlo could pass as cousins who enjoy “bro times.”
View this post on Instagram
Hari ng Krotona
Actor: Eddie Garcia
With all his experience in acting through the years, Eddie Garcia could play from a villain, a soldier, to the most common roles like being a grandfather. Let’s welcome him as the King of Krotona and Florante’s granddad.
View this post on Instagram
Now that we have possible actors for the characters, we are hoping this would become a reality. Let Florante and Laura thrive not only in books, but in live action, too. In this way, a wider range of people would know Baltazar’s masterpiece.
This story is part of our Ang Pangarap Kong Teleserye series which covers topics related to the theme. Read the rest of the series here.
Comments