Katorse (International title: Fourteen (14)) is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by ABS-CBN. The series is based on a 1980 Philippine film of the same title. Directed by Malu L. Sevilla, it stars Erich Gonzales, Ejay Falcon, Xian Lim and Enchong Dee. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up and worldwide on TFC from August 24, 2009 to January 8, 2010, replacing Boys Over Flowers and was replaced by Tanging Yaman. It tells the story of a simple small-town girl who fell in love with a childhood friend who later fathers a child with her.
Contents
Overview
Casting
The show stars 2005 Star Circle Grand Questor Erich Gonzales as teenage mom, Nene. This is Gonzales' first starring role in a primetime program. The series showcases showbiz newbies Ejay Falcon and Xian Lim in their first starring role in a primetime series. ABS-CBN picked the cast because they believe that primetime television needs to have new faces, to make it look fresh and better than the usual actors.
In early July 2009, ABS-CBN released the program's trailer, which revealed the cast of Katorse to include veteran actors Malou de Guzman (as Nene's mother) and Cherie Gil as Gabby's mother, where she plays a less villainous role. Cherie Gil and Erich Gonzales had worked together in Pieta. Gil saw a lot of potential with Erich and believes that she will go far in the showbiz industry.
Sometime in August 2009, the management added Enchong Dee as an additional main cast.
1968 film
The original Katorse starred 18-year-old Mercedes Galvez, which launched her to stardom in the late 1960s, and featured Antonio Gomez as Gabby and the late Roldan Cruz as Albert. Katorse is known for its sexy trademark "magic kamison" (magic chemise) donned by the young lead actress while out for a swim. Although there are only two male characters in the 1968 film, ABS-CBN management added a third character, played by Enchong Dee, in the television series. The film was remade in 1980 starring Dina Bonnevie.
Story and development
Synopsis
Nene is an ordinary girl from the province whose once-happy childhood turns fatally tragic as she and her wealthy childhood friend Gabby supposedly fell in love, thus causing her teenage pregnancy when they have sexual intercourse. Nene also discovers many troubles involving her family.
Cast and characters
Main cast
Erich Gonzales as Elena "Nene" Reyes-Wenceslao
Ejay Falcon as Gabriel "Gabby" Arcanghel
Enchong Dee as John Joseph "Jojo" M. Wenceslao
Xian Lim as Albert Arcanghel
Supporting cast
Gardo Versoza as Don Anselmo Arcanghel
Cherie Gil as Doña Margarita Arcanghel
Malou de Guzman as Nena Reyes
Eda Nolan as Nenita Reyes
Charee Pineda as Marissa Ocampo
Carmi Martin as Yvonne Madrigal-Wenceslao
Jessy Mendiola as Bettina Godinez
Mat Ranillo III as Alfred Wenceslao
Bangs Garcia as Shakira
Dino Imperial as Dilbert
Cy Mistosamente as Tommy Reyes-Wenceslao
Guest cast
Jane Oineza as young Nene
John Manalo as young Gabriel
Joshua Dionisio as young Albert
Jhoana Marie Tan as Doray
Tommy Abuel as Mr. King
Alexis Socorro L. Reyes as Dra. Julie
Maritess Joaquin as Theresa Ocampo
Martin del Rosario as Macoy
Kier Legaspi as Ramon
Emily Loren as Guidance Principal
Julia Montes as Nellie
Auriette Divina as Mayumi Crisostomo
Michael "Jamike" Jarin as Dr. Castro
Marvin Yap as Maynard
Juan Rodrigo as Paeng Reyes
Marissa Delgado as Doña Remedios Madrigal
Reception
Soundtrack
The program's theme song, especially for Gabby and Nene, is "Tamis ng Unang Halik" ("Sweetness of First Kiss") sung by Juris of MYMP originally done by Kristina Paner. The song "My Love is Here" sung by Erik Santos is also featured in the show as a theme for Jojo and Nene.
Postponement
The show was originally scheduled to air in early June 8, 2009, but was postponed as the producers reported having encountered shooting problems because of the weather. Because of this, the management decided to replace Katorse's initial timeslot with The Wedding, a romantic-comedy series starring Anne Curtis, Derek Ramsay and Zanjoe Marudo.
Teenage pregnancy issue
MTRCB raised concerns due to the show's theme of teenage pregnancy, claiming that it could easily influence viewers. They also referred to The Wedding, another program by ABS-CBN in which the character of Hiyasmin Neri was impregnated at a young age.