Love & Lies

Love & Lies
File:Loveandliestitlecard.jpg
Genre	suspense action drama Whodunit
Created by	GMA Entertainment TV Group
Developed by	RJ Nuevas Dode Cruz
Written by	Jules Dan Katanyag Christine Novicio Luningning Ribay
Directed by	Mark Reyes
Creative director	Jun Lana
Starring	Richard Gutierrez Bela Padilla Sid Lucero Michelle Madrigal Paolo Contis
Opening theme	"Ngayo'y Naririto" sung by Jay-R
Composer	Vehnee Saturno
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	Filipino, Tagalog, English
No. of episodes	5 (as of April 12, 2013)
Production
Executive producers	Leilani Feliciano-Sandoval Rebya Upalda
Production locations	Sangley Point, Cavite Tagaytay City, Cavite Metro Manila
Cinematography	Jay Linao
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	30-45 minutes
Original release
Network	GMA Network
Release	April 8, 2013

Love & Lies is a Filipino suspense-action drama series created by RJ Nuevas, developed by Richard Cruz and produced by GMA Network. The series premiered on April 8, 2013, replacing Temptation of Wife on the network's coveted GMA Telebabad slot and on April 9, 2013 worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. The series headlines Richard Gutierrez, Bela Padilla, Sid Lucero, Paolo Contis and Michelle Madrigal as the main casts. Mark Reyes directed the show, while Leilani Fliciano-Sandoval and Rebya Upalda were the executive producer of the series throughout its nine-week run (45 episodes).

The series follows Edward Galvez, a fictional Philippine Navy officer, who gets tangled in a web of lies and conspiracies when a mysterious organization suddenly kidnaps his wife. As the protagonist discovers the truth behind the crime, he uncovers a treacherous plot that threatens to turn his world upside-down. The true perpetrators of the crime may be closer to home than he dare think. As he thread to the maze of lies, blackmails, double-dealings, and betrayals, everyone becomes a suspect.

Synopsis

Navy officer, Edward Galvez lives a perfect life with his wife Cathy. As Cathy belonged to a wealthy family, her parents were against her having a relationship with a mere soldier. However, because of Edward's perseverance, Cathy's parents eventually accepted him as their son-in-law.

Despite of his work, Edward doesn't compromise his time with his family. He places his family and his wife on top of his priorities. In return, Cathy supports him in every step of the way. He is content living a simple yet peaceful life with his wife and friends. However, everything changes when he gets assigned to spearhead a naval operation and it suffers a casualty. Since he is the leader of the operation, Edward takes full responsibility of the tragedy. Because of what happened, the lover of the victim, Ricardo vows to make life difficult for Edward.

While contemplating on leaving the service, Edward's wife and brother-in-law Ryan Alcantara gets kidnapped. He will think that Ricardo is the mastermind of the kidnapping because he believes he carries a vendetta. With the help of the police and his best friend Gabby, they will try to look for Ricardo so they can get a lead on where Cathy is. In the process of looking for Ricardo, Edward crosses path with Ricardo's sister, Denise. She is also looking for his brother. However, when they finally get a lead where Ricardo is, they find him dead and Cathy is nowhere to be found. Edward becomes more determined in searching for his wife while Denise vows to find out who killed his brother.

At some point in the story, Edward is set up and becomes the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance. Edward denies the allegation, and its only Denise who believes in him.

Edward becomes more and more determined in finding his wife to prove that he has nothing to do with the kidnapping. While he is searching, he is also being hunted by the police. Denise believes Edward is innocent and stays with him all thorough out. Denise never leaves his side and starts to fall for Edward.

Cast and characters

Major characters

• Edward Galvez – portrayed by Richard Gutierrez, the series' main protagonist. Edward is a highly decorated officer of the Philippine Navy, who is living a perfect life with his wife Catherine. Despite of his work, Edward doesn't compromise his time with his family. He places his family and his wife on top of his priorities. His life gets tangled in a web of lies and conspiracies when Cathy is kidnapped and he is caught in a wild chase to get her back.

• Denise Salvador – portrayed by Bela Padilla. She is a street-smart, pole dancer who is trying to clear the name of her brother who is suspected of the kidnapping. She will do anything and will lie to anyone just to get her loved ones back. In her quest to find her brother, she crosses paths with Edward Galvez and eventually falls in love with him.

• Catherine "Cathy" Alcantara-Galvez – portrayed by Michelle Madrigal. Cathy is Edward Galvez's precious wife. She came from a well-off family. Her parents were against for Edward. However, because of latter's perseverance, Cathy's parents eventually accepted him as their son-in-law. As a devoted wife, Cathy supports Edward in every step of the way. Cathy's abduction in the story kick-starts the breathtaking suspense of the series.

• Gabriel "Gabby" Romero – portrayed by Sid Lucero. Gabby is Edward Galvez's best buddy and confidante. He is a retired military officer, who idolizes Edward for having a perfect family. As a friend, Gabby is the one whom Edward knows he can always depend on, especially in times of trouble.

• Emmanuel "Manny" Perez – portrayed by Paolo Contis. Manny is an NBI officer assigned to uncover the case of Catherine Galvez's abduction. In the story, Manny suspects that Edward Galvez has a hand in his own wife's kidnapping. Manny is also the former boyfriend of Denise Salvador.

Recurring characters

The show features a number of recurring characters throughout its run. Below, in order of appearance, are the recurring characters who have appeared in at least 5 episodes.

• Ramon Alcantara – portrayed by Lloyd Samartino. He is the wealthy father of Catherine Galvez. From the very beginning, Ramon is against Cathy's marriage with Edward Galvez. As he learns of his daughter's abduction, Ramon pays for Cathy's ransom.

• Consuelo Alcantara – portrayed by Lara Melissa de Leon. She is Catherine Galvez's mother who disapproves of Edward Galvez for her daughter. Upon learning that Edward is among the suspects in Cathy's kidnapping, Consuelo immediately orders Edward's arrest.

• Captain Jose Lorde Villamor – portrayed by Bobby Andrews. Captain Villamor is the head of the Philippine Navy SEALS in the series. Not only he is Edward's commander-in-chief, he's an elderly friend who lends Edward little nuggets of wisdom.

• Rosa Galvez – portrayed by Luz Valdez. Lola Rosa is Edward's grandmother who took him in as a boy and raises him to be a good soul.

• Marco Salvador – portrayed by Miguel Tanfelix. He is the youngest brother of Denise Salvador. Marco is a responsible and persevering young guy who strives hard to finish his studies. He has two goals in life: to fulfill his dreams and to alleviate the life of his family.

• Ryan Alcantara – portrayed by Jeric Gonzales. He is the younger brother of Catherine Galvez and brother-in-law of Edward Galvez and Marissa Rivero's love interest. As a part of a rich and prominent family, Ryan grew up conceited and arrogant. He will embark on a search for real love. But he will find it in the most unlikely places and in the most dangerous of times.

• Marissa Rivero – portrayed by Thea Tolentino. Marissa is the daughter of one of the men involved in Ryan Alcatara's abduction. She and Ryan eventually fall for each other as she takes good care of Ryan while in the status of his abduction despite the differences of their social statuses.

Production and development

The series—a fast-paced suspense-action drama, also dubbed as "suspenserye"—was conceptualized by RJ Nuevas and developed by Richard Cruz. The two began developing the show under the title Notorious in January/February 2013. The title was changed to Love & Lies during the early stage of production.

In the pilot episode, the series features BRP Emilio Jacinto PS-35, one of the two warships of Philippine Navy.

The production team picked the Philippine Navy as a major setting for the series. On March 13, 2013, the show's main casts Richard Gutierrez, Paolo Contis together with series' director Mark Reyes visited the Headquarters Philippine Navy (HPN) and paid a courtesy call on the Navy Chief, Vice Admiral Jose Luis M. Alano AFP. Aside from that, Gutierrez and Contis also signed up as Philippine Navy Reservists. On the other hand, Vice Admiral Alano assured the network that the Navy will provide its full support and assistance to the series and said "We look forward to this project in which we can show and highlight what the Philippine Navy is all about." He likewise briefed Gutierrez and Contis about the rigid training and life of a Navy Seal.

The series' director described the show as his "dream project". Regarding the amount of action and drama being laced in the series, Reyes said that "The nearest thing that you can compare it to is Taken, the movie. There's a lot of suspense. But at the same time, there's drama that is interwoven with it. The pacing is reminiscent of 24. It is episodic. Actors will be seen repeating dialogues for others to catch up on the episode they have missed."

The show is designed for a nine-week run, contrary to the usual one season of thirteen weeks. The creative and production team were "committed to tell all, within that time frame," regardless of its performance in the ratings' game. Reyes further stated, "We're geared up for nine weeks and beyond that, it will be hard to pull it off. [...] Unlike other television series that drag on because they rate, these nine-weeks have been planned from beginning to end so the audience will get hooked."

Casting

Richard Gutierrez was cast as the series' main protagonist, Edward Galvez. Director Mark Reyes revealed that the actor came first before the concept of the show. Gutierrez had to undergo tactical shooting training [in preparation for the role] ahead of the other cast members. He also immersed himself the Philippine Navy way. Gutierrez stated "I have to be careful with the details. They're very particular with everything down to the smallest details. The challenging part also is telling the story, fixing all the action scenes, fixing all the dramatic scenes. It's one big puzzle that we're trying to solve but we're on good track right now."

Michelle Madrigal, Sid Lucero and Paolo Contis were cast to play three equally important roles. Madrigal feels pressured, especially her character Cathy Galvez is the lynchpin of the series, said that "My goal for this role is to showcase my capabilities as an actor rather than show more skin."

The character Denise Salvador was initially offered to Lovi Poe. But the actress reportedly thumbed down the project because she had already accepted an offer from rival network, TV5. Bela Padilla officially takes over the role. Padilla finds her "kick-ass" character as "[...] very interesting. I would have auditioned for it if it weren't offered to me. Coming from the drama series Magdalena, it's refreshing to do a character who is strong, loud and bubbly." In an interview, Padilla further stated that her character was pegged on a female version of Robin Padilla.

Thea Tolentino, Jeric Gonzales, and Bobby Andrews (who work with each other in another GMA show Teen Gen) also currently collaborate with director Mark Reyes (also Teen Gen director). In Love & Lies, Reyes, Tolentino, Gonzales, and Andrews work with 2 relatives of their Teen Gen co-star Gabriel de Leon; Lara Melissa de Leon (Gabriel's aunt) who portrays the mother of Gonzales's character and Ian de Leon (Gabriel's cousin) who portrays stepfather of Tolentino's character.

Filming

The production began in March 21, 2013. Some of the major scenes in the pilot episode were entirely shot in Philippine Navy headquarters in Sangley Point in Cavite City and in BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS 35) Philippine Navy warship. Series' director Reyes described the pilot ala-Crimson Tide. Other locations have also been featured, such as Antipolo, Rizal, Tagaytay, Binondo and in some part of Metro Manila.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
• List of telenovelas of GMA Network
• Lupin

External links

• GMA Network official website
• GMA Network Official Facebook Page