La Vida Lena

Philippine drama television series

Drama
Revenge

Created byReggie AmigoWritten by

Mari Lamasan
Mariami Tanangco-Domingo
Camille Anne de la Cruz
Chris Tan

Directed by

Jerry Lopez Sineneng
Jojo Saguin
Andoy Ranay

Starring

Erich Gonzales
Carlo Aquino
JC de Vera
Kit Thompson
Agot Isidro
Raymond Bagatsing
Janice de Belen

Music by

Len Calvo
Adriane Macalipay

Opening theme

"La Vida Lena"
by JMKO^[1]
"Kailangan Kita"
by Regine Velasquez^[2]

Country of originPhilippinesOriginal language

Filipino

No. of episodes10 (iWantTFC)
160 (list of episodes)ProductionExecutive producers

Carlo L. Katigbak
Jamie L. Lopez
Cory V. Vidanes
Laurenti M. Dyogi
Roldeo T. Endrinal
Ginny Monteagudo-Ocampo

ProducerJemila M. JimenezProduction location

Antipolo, Rizal

EditorRay Ann Kristelle EndayaRunning time30-50 minutesProduction company

Dreamscape Entertainment

Original releaseNetworkiWantTFCReleaseNovember 14, 2020 (2020-11-14) –
January 16, 2021 (2021-01-16)NetworkKapamilya Channel/A2Z/TV5ReleaseJune 28, 2021 (2021-06-28) –
February 4, 2022 (2022-02-04)

La Vida Lena is a Philippine drama revenge television series broadcast by Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, Jojo Saguin and Andoy Ranay, it stars Erich Gonzales in the title role. The fast-cut version of the series was streamed on iWantTFC from November 14, 2020 to January 16, 2021. The full version of the series was aired on the network's Primetime Bida evening block from June 28, 2021 to February 4, 2022.^[3]

Plot

Despite being the subject of bullying and discrimination because of the big scar on her face, Magda refuses to let criticisms get to her and strives hard to secure a comfortable life for her family. Using her skills and intelligence, she hits the jackpot when the soap she created quickly gains popularity in the town of Salvacion. However, the young lady's success does not sit well with the Narciso family, the owners of Royal Wellness, the biggest surgical and cosmetic company in the country. When Magda refuses to sell her formula to the Narcisos due to their contrasting views, a string of bad luck comes her way. Losing everything dear to her, Magda returns with a new face, armed with determination to retaliate against the powerful clan who ruined her life.^[4]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Erich Gonzales as Magdalena "Lena" Mendoza Narciso-Cabrera^[5]
Carlo Aquino as Jordan Cabrera^[5]
JC de Vera as Adrian Narciso / Adrian Suarez^[5]
Kit Thompson as Miguel Villarica^[5]
Agot Isidro as Vanessa Rubio-Narciso^[5]
Raymond Bagatsing as Lukas Narciso^[5]
Janice de Belen as Ramona Joaquin^[5]

Supporting cast

Sofia Andres as Rachel Suarez-Villarica^[5]
Pen Medina as Francisco "Kiko" Cabrera^[5]
Ruby Ruiz as Digna Abuel-Cabrera^[5]
Christian Vasquez as Conrad Suarez^[5]
Malou Crisologo as Martina Ramirez^[5]
Josh Ivan Morales as Brian Rubio^[5]
Hasna Cabral as Bettina "Betchay" Buenafe^[5]
Renshi de Guzman as Rambo Lumba^[5]
Danica Ontengco as Allison Suarez / Alice Garcia^[5]

Guest cast

Isay Alvarez as Helen Mendoza
Miguel Faustmann as Don Luis Narciso
Giovanni Baldesseri as Fernando Castro
Soliman Cruz as Diosdado "Dado" Mendoza

Production

Casting

Ivana Alawi was originally cast for the lead role, with a working title Lihim ni Ligaya. The pre-production had started and the cast was already introduced during a presscon back in February 2020. Due to COVID-19 pandemic and enhanced community quarantine in Luzon in March 2020, Alawi backed out of the project; her main reason was to avoid risking the health of her family as she will be exposed during lock-in tapings.^[6] In August, Deo Endrinal, the head of Dreamscape Entertainment, approached Erich Gonzales to take on the lead role. The title of the series is officially named La Vida Lena, inspired by Jojo Saguin, one of the directors who is known to her colleague named Lena. From Ligaya, the lead character's name was changed to Magdalena Mendoza. Several recasting and revisions in the script are being made to suit the new theme and new cast. La Vida Lena served as Gonzales' return to television two years after playing her first triple role in The Blood Sisters (2018).^[7]

Filming duration

Pre-production started in September 2020. The entire cast and crew underwent rigorous procedures and COVID-19 protocols before heading down to their filming location at Antipolo. The first cycle of lock-in taping started on October 1, 2020, and finished on October 17, 2020. Second cycle of taping resumed on November 15, 2020, and finished on December 4, 2020. Third cycle of taping started on January 10, 2021, and finished on January 30, 2021. The fourth and final cycle of taping concluded in February 2021.

Reception

La Vida Lena was one of the most watched TV programs among U.S. multicultural Asian homes in September 2021.^[8] The series was also the most watched show on iWantTFC.^[9] According to AGB Neilsen, the series received 3.9% TV ratings on August 30, 2021, beating its timeslot rival The Sand Princess (3.2%) despite limited reach on free television.^[10]

Awards and nominations

Accolades received by *La Vida Lena*
Year	Awards ceremony	Title	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2023	PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Primetime Drama Series	—	Nominated	^[11]^[12]
		Best Drama Actress	Erich Gonzales	Nominated
		Best Drama Actor	Carlo Aquino	Nominated
		Best Drama Actor	JC de Vera	Nominated
		Best Drama Supporting Actor	Raymond Bagatsing	Nominated
		Best Drama Supporting Actress	Agot Isidro	Nominated
		Best Drama Supporting Actress	Janice de Belen	Nominated
		Best New Female TV Personality	Hasna Cabral	Nominated

References

^ Dreamscape Entertainment. "LA VIDA LENA by JMKO". Facebook. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
^ Dreamscape Entertainment. "KAILANGAN KITA by REGINE VELASQUEZ". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
^ Dumaual, Miguel (June 25, 2021). "With 'La Vida Lena,' ABS-CBN to offer all-current, all-original primetime lineup starting June 28". ABS-CBN News.
^ "'Malalagot kayo!' Teaser of 'La Vida Lena' starring Erich Gonzales released". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p "Erich Gonzales topbills new ABS-CBN series 'La Vida Lena'". ABS-CBN News. October 7, 2020. Retrieved October 7, 2020.
^ Anarcon, James Patrick (September 9, 2021). "Stars who got replaced in teleseryes: 2021 edition". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
^ "'Together as One in 2021': Here are ABS-CBN's upcoming shows, offerings". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved December 21, 2020.
^ "Erich Gonzales makes sweet revenge". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ Valle, Jet (February 3, 2022). "Popular Erich Gonzales-starrer now on its finale week". BusinessMirror. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ Mia, Ron (July 3, 2021). "How did the 'La Vida Lena' pilot fare in TV ratings?". LionhearTV. Retrieved November 4, 2023.
^ "Kapamilya shows, stars bag PMPC Star Awards for TV nominations". ABS-CBN News. January 16, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
^ "35th Star Awards for TV list of nominees is out; alin kaya ang tatanghaling Best TV Station?". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 27, 2023.