First episode date 24 June 2013 | Final episode date 20 September 2013 Program creator Ma. Acy Ramos | |
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Created by GMA Entertainment TV Group Developed by Don Michael PerezMa. Acy Ramos Written by Cel SantiagoMario Banzon Similar Anna Karenina, Maghihintay Pa Rin, Leya - Ang Pinakamagandang Babae Sa, Saang Sulok ng Langit, Halik Sa Apoy | ||
With a Smile is a Filipino romantic comedy television series created by Ma. Acy Ramos, developed by Don Michael Perez and produced by GMA Network. It premiered on June 17, 2013 on the network's morning block, 10:15 a.m. timeslot, and on June 26, 2013 worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. The series headlines Andrea Torres, Christian Bautista and Mikael Daez, playing the three main characters. Arlene Pilapil served as the executive producer for the entire run of the series, and Louie Ignacio directed the show. The series concluded its fourteen-week run on September 20, 2013, comprising seventy episodes.
Contents
- Synopsis
- Cast and characters
- Main characters
- Recurring characters
- Production and development
- Reception
- References
The series revolves around the three main characters: Isay (played by Torres), a barrio lass who has a passion for cooking and will pursue her dreams for her family. In Manila, she crosses paths with Dean (played by Daez), a man who believes that he's a disappointment to his family but will soon realize his worth after meeting the girl who will capture his heart; and Aston (played by Bautista) is an independent, self-made businessman who often fights with Isay but eventually falls in love with her. Starting March 2, 2015 it will re-air on GMA Life TV worldwide.
Synopsis
Isay's family owns a restaurant known for grilled specialties – Verci's Grill, named after her mother. Verci is very talented and passionate in cooking—traits she passed on to her daughter, Isay. Tom, Isay's father is a cheerful and loving man of the house. Being the eldest, Isay helps her mother in preparing and cooking for their eatery. She is also a very caring sister to her two younger siblings.Things take a drastic turn when Verci gets sick and passes away, and their once successful business starts to decline. Despite this, they still continue to sell grilled street foods in their local market and join cooking contests to get by. When Isay's cooking skills get noticed by one of the chef judges, she then gets offered a ticket to participate in a Barbecue Cook-Off in Manila. Though she initially hesitates in accepting this opportunity, her fervent dream of getting her family out of poverty, pushes her to give it a try.
Through some twists of fate, Isay meets Aston and Dean, and soon finds herself entangled in a complicated love triangle with them.
Cast and characters
The series featured three main characters, with many other characters recurring throughout its run.
Main characters
Recurring characters
Production and development
The idea for the series first came from screenwriter Ma. Acy Ramos, who initially had the idea to create a light drama/romantic comedy series for GMA Network's Afternoon Prime block, which usually dominated by traditional "tearjerker" telenovelas. When she presented and discussed the idea to the management (GMA Entertainment TV Group), they immediately approved the project but decide to put it on morning time slot, instead, since they thought "it would fit best there." Director and screenwriter, Don Michael Perez began writing a script for a show now titled With a Smile, which somewhat patterned from the Korean television series Lovers in Paris but with a different angle—two men are fighting over a girl.
The network assigned Louie Ignacio to direct the series. The director described the show as "a mix of light drama, humor, charm and romance". Ignacio also regarded his main actors as part of the reasons he green-lighted directing the series. The casts were all announced during the series' story conference, with the main cast being Andrea Torres, Christian Bautista and Mikael Daez. The three actors were cast based on their auditions. Torres was chosen to play Isay Asuncion from more than 10 women who auditioned for the role. Torres shares certain similarities with her onscreen persona Isay, as they are both close to their families and determined to realize their dreams. Bautista, who played Aston Martinez, originally auditioned for the role of Dean Vicencio. Daez originally auditioned for Aston, but ended up portraying Dean Vicencio. Supporting casts include stage and TV actors Soliman Cruz, Gilleth Sandico and Marnie Lapuz; composer and comedian Vince de Jesus; and Protégé: The Battle For The Big Artista Break alumni Mikoy Morales, Shelly Hipolito and Bryan Benedict.
The production began in May 2013. Most of the scenes were shot on location in Quezon City. Some portions were shot in the town of Pampanga. The series' premiere was planned for June 17, but because programming-related problem, delayed until June 24.
Reception
The series garnered righ ratings during its pilot episode. According to the data gathered by the more widely recognized TV ratings supplier, Nielsen TV Audience Measurement, the series marked a household rating of 8.4% and ruled over its counterpart program from ABS-CBN which garnered 6.7%, based on the Mega Manila overnight ratings. The pilot episode also became one of the top trending topics in the Philippines in the micro-blogging site Twitter.