CBN Asia will once again captivate audiences with its much-anticipated Holy Week special, Tanikala presents “Tugon,” airing this Good Friday, March 29, at 5:30 p.m. on GMA.
Starring Luke Conde and Rain Matienzo, Tugon tells the story of a real-life couple, Nolo and Jasmine Lopez, who met online and found love and healing in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Luke plays Nolo, a young man scarred by childhood abuse and struggles to reconcile his faith in God. As a man with big dreams like Nolo, Luke reveals that he felt a deep connection to his role when his career was put to a halt during the pandemic.
“I wanted my career as an actor to continue. I had worked with my previous network but because of the pandemic, I somehow lost my chance to continue that dream,” Luke recalled.
He continued, “Actually when we were shooting this special, that feeling I had during the pandemic came back to me. It was like a rewind of what I experienced during that time.”
Meanwhile, Rain breathes life into the character of Jasmine, who is haunted by her past traumas and the pressures of being a breadwinner. Despite their differing personalities, the actress sees herself in Jasmine, appreciating their shared courage in facing life’s challenges.
“I can relate to her fighting spirit. I am a fighter in my own way, but with Jasmine, you see it in her steadfastness. I am inspired by how she does it,” Rain shared.
Drawn together by a TikTok video, their characters find solace in music and faith. However, Nolo’s dark past resurfaces, testing their bond, while Jasmine confronts her fears about the future.
Tugon is directed by Timmy Yee and written by Seth Blanco and Shekinah Gram.
“Viewers can learn so many lessons in this film. One of them is the art of waiting for the right person,” the telecine’s director said. “It proves that love isn’t bound by unplanned circumstances. It proves that even in uncertain times, love can be victorious.”