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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Marlo Mortel (@marlomortelmusic) on Mar 29, 2019 at 9:01pm PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by J A N E (@imjanedeleon) on Mar 28, 2019 at 1:25am PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Juan Carlos Atayde (@arjoatayde) on Mar 13, 2019 at 6:50am PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by RURU MADRID (@rurumadrid8) on Apr 6, 2019 at 8:01am PDT

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!

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Sanya Lopez (@sanyalopez) on Mar 31, 2019 at 4:09am PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jameson Blake (@hashtag_jameson) on May 31, 2019 at 3:02am PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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It's game time! Have you ever tried playing beach volleyball? It is so tiring but so much fun to do.

A post shared by Richard Gomez (@richardgomezinstagram) on Jan 23, 2019 at 3:05am PST

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?

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dawn Zulueta (@dawnzulueta) on Apr 4, 2019 at 7:33pm PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by MARIA (mariel) DE LEON (@mariadeleonofficial) on Jun 15, 2019 at 11:37pm PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Dingdong Dantes (@dongdantes) on May 8, 2019 at 11:12pm PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Ian Veneracion (@ianveneracion1) on Jan 2, 2019 at 11:52pm PST

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by gardo versoza (@gardo_versoza) on Jun 8, 2019 at 2:59am PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Mon Confiado (@monconfiado) on May 15, 2019 at 11:50pm PDT

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by zoren_legaspi (@zoren_legaspi) on Aug 29, 2018 at 6:55pm PDT

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.”

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jericho Rosales (@jerichorosalesofficial) on Jan 2, 2019 at 7:29am PST

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by WAY OF THE BALISONG (@balisongmovie) on Jun 20, 2019 at 3:03pm PDT

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.