‘Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa’ stars share views on revenge, karma

MANILA, Philippines — The cast members of TV5’s revenge-themed series “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” don’t believe in revenge, but some do believe in karma.

“Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” is a classic tale of love and revenge which airs weekdays at 2:30 p.m. on TV5’s Hapon Champion block, with same-day catch-ups on Sari-Sari Channel at 8 p.m. It is in cooperation with Studio Viva and Sari-Sari.

The series is the remake of Carlo J. Caparas’ action masterpiece of the same title. Originally penned as a comic book by Caparas, it was adapted into the classic film topbilled by the late action icon Rudy Fernandez in the ‘80s.

As per media release, the story follows Norman Dela Cruz (played by Kiko Estrada), a working student aspiring to become a lawyer. Norman’s life takes an unexpected turn when his mother Tacing (with the special participation of Ana Abad Santos) engages in an intense land dispute with her estranged non-biological brother Benito Balmores (Gardo Versoza), resulting in tragedy.

Surviving the ordeal, Norman vows to avenge his mother but finds himself torn as he falls in love with Benito’s daughter, Mercy Balmores (Sarah). After several years, Norman returns as the successful lawyer Abra Espiritu, with a plan for revenge while suppressing his feelings for Mercy, who has married Miguel Aguirre (Sid Lucero).

As the lines between right and wrong blur, will Norman be able to achieve his goals for vengeance, or will love prevail against all odds?

The actors were asked during the presscon if they were the type of person who would seek revenge against someone who hurt them deeply and all of them opposed the thought of retaliation.

Phoebe Walker asserted that a lot of people have wronged her in the past but she never wanted to seek revenge because she believes in karma.

“So if you are bad, kakarmahin ka in the end. Usually, you dig your own grave, so I will just let them be. In the showbiz industry, may nagbu-bully, I’ve experienced that. Maybe the only revenge I could do like actively is to be successful and that would be my revenge for them.”

Veteran actor Gardo reflected that getting a revenge will take you nowhere.

“It’s part of life and it’s a learning experience, so bawat pagluhod mo sa lupa, what’s important is you get up again and fight for the things that you should be fighting for. And don’t forget na ‘pag lumuhod ka minsan sa lupa, ay lumuluhod ka sa pagdarasal. Pasasalamat ‘di ba.”

Sid, on the other hand, doesn’t believe in vengeance, saying, “Vengeance is a product of something of hate.” He elaborated, “Sometimes, in this world, may nangyayari and you’re the one who gets hurt but the truth is feeling mo lang yun. It’s really your ego that gets in the way. Kala mo naisahan ka.”

Echoing Phoebe, he furthered, “If you want to show them up, you show them what you know, be the best that you can be. Be the best version because ‘pag vengeance kasi parang dala-dala mo yun… Like that person has changed you. You’re no longer yourself. You’ve been changed. I cannot live that way. I’d rather be the best that I could be. Leave them all in the ground.”

Mark Anthony Fernandez, on the other hand, shared, “I think it’s normal to have an initial reaction na makaramdam ka ng gusto mong gumanti. But I think mas tama na tingnan mo ng 10 times before you do revenge. Mas tama yung mag-consume sa’yo yung hindi ka gumanti kesa makonsumo ka ng — mahigop ka nung gaganti ka.”

As for Sarah, she agreed with what Phoebe had said earlier. “I believe in karma. For me, personally, I think there’s nothing more expensive than peace. And we can’t get peace if we seek revenge.”

“There’s power in prayer like what Tito Cupcake (Gardo) said. And there’s a certain feeling na hindi mo makukuha by protecting your peace and again, you don’t get that by seeking revenge,” she added.

Lastly, Kiko opined that revenge is part of life but it fades away as one matures. “So, I guess it’s maturity, too. It’s natural to feel that you wanna take revenge but the more that you grow up and the more that you understand yung mga bagay-bagay sa mundo natin, that’s maturity and I guess taking the high road.”

Joining the cast of “Lumuhod Ka Sa Lupa” are Rhen Escaño, Andrew Muhlach, Andre Yllana, Ashley Diaz, Annika Co, Rose Van Ginkel, Jeffrey Hidalgo, and Jeric Raval.