Real-life couple Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez gained a new perspective on loyalty while bringing the complicated relationship of Ben and Anna to life in ABS-CBN Studios’ upcoming drama series “The Loyalty Game.”
During a recent media conference for the Kapamilya primetime series, the couple was asked whether portraying characters confronted by questions of trust and faithfulness had changed their personal views on loyalty.
Janine said the project did not alter her perspective but instead made her appreciate more deeply how essential loyalty is to a relationship.
“Hindi naman nabago yung perspective ko pero parang namulat lang ako siguro lalo kung gaano siya kahalaga and how far some people will go to make sure that their partner is loyal to them. So kung wala talaga yung loyalty, hindi impossible na kumapit ka sa patalim,” Janine said.
She explained that her character, Anna, is willing to take drastic measures because of her intense love for her husband and her determination to protect their marriage.
“Just like Anna, yung character ko, kailangan niya kumuha ng tester dahil mahal na mahal niya yung asawa niya and sa tingin niya yun na lang yung paraan to save their marriage,” she added.
For Jericho, playing Ben allowed him to examine loyalty from another angle. He said that, for his character, remaining faithful is only one part of maintaining peace and security within a relationship.
“I think I’m gonna go on to the deeper wisdom when it comes to loyalty. Based on my character, parang it wasn’t enough for him to be loyal. He had to actually take care of what goes on in Anna’s mind and kind of like manipulate it para at peace si Anna,” Jericho said.
Although portraying Ben’s complicated approach to love and loyalty was challenging, Jericho said the role also gave him a lesson that extends beyond the series.
“Yung lesson dun for me is you have to go beyond pa; it’s not enough to be just loyal. Sometimes you have to go out of your way to make the people that you love feel kampante,” he added.
These themes lie at the heart of “The Loyalty Game,” which centers on Ben and Anna, a married couple whose seemingly perfect relationship is threatened by doubts about fidelity and secrets that gradually come to light.
What begins as an effort to test trust develops into a more intricate story of love, deception and betrayal, forcing the couple to confront the consequences of their choices and the limits of their relationship.
Produced by Star Creatives, the series features an ensemble cast led by Rosales and Gutierrez, alongside Charlie Dizon, Sofia Andres, Yassi Pressman, Yen Santos, Elisse Joson, Karina Bautista, KD Estrada, Robbie Jaworski, Alyanna Angeles, Kira Balinger, Maika Rivera and Carmina Villarroel.
Veteran performers Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Bernard Palanca, Desiree del Valle and Pilar Pilapil are also joining the drama.
Directing the series are Mae Cruz-Alviar, Ian Loreños, Raymund Ocampo and Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
“The Loyalty Game” is scheduled to premiere on October 5 and will air Mondays to Fridays at 9:35 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Kapatid Livestream, TV5, A2Z and ABS-CBN sa ALLTV.
The drama was previously made available on Amazon Prime and remains available for streaming on the platform.