MANILA, Philippines – Fans of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal will be delighted once again – the first episode of their comeback project FlordeLiza aired Monday afternoon, January 19.

In a recent press preview of the show, director Wenn Deramas said to expect many exciting scenes in the show. What makes the soap different, according to him, is that it is not only about family but the importance of culture. (READ: FlordeLiza’: Details on the Marvin Agustin – Jolina Magdangal love team)

The director also expressed how he is happy with the cast. He even commented that after years since their last project, the chemistry between Marvin and Jolina was still very evident in the scenes. (READ: Marvin Agustin gets ’emotional’ taping new TV drama)

In the story, Crisanto (Marvin Agustin) is a soldier stationed in the Cordillera region. He is married to Elizabeth (Desiree del Valle) and they have a daughter Liza. In the province, he meets Florida (Jolina Magdangal) and they have a daughter Flor. Although she is the second woman in his life, Florida is contented with the set-up she and Crisanto have.

But tragedy strikes when Crisanto is captured by the rebels. Crisanto is taken back to Manila. Beth, meanwhile, is struggling with her own problems. As an entrepreneur, she is also the breadwinner of her family, with an ailing father to look after. She soon meets Florida, whom she hires to help in taking care of Crisanto.

The show has many firsts for Marvin and Jolina. Aside from a talked-about bed scene, this is the first time the two play parents, and a first for Jolina to play a mistress.

Direk Wenn said that while Jolina plays the role of the mistress in the show, it is a very different depiction of the typical mistress characters.

“‘Yung role ni Jolina, she is very giving, mamahalin mo siya kasi nagkataon nasa sitwasyon na, nandito na. Pero makikita mo na siya yung unang magbibigay which is very Pinoy,” he said.

(Jolina’s role, she is very giving. You will love her and unfortunately she is already in that situation, she is already there. But you will see she is the first to give and that’s very Pinoy.)

In a previous interview, Jolina said that the show is something she has never tried.

“Lahat nung mga ‘di ko nagagawa dati, parang ipagagawa sa akin ni Direk dito, eh!” she said. “First time ko talaga siya gagawin. Hinanda ko talaga sarili ko. Nakailang beses ako ng basa ng script!”

(All the things that I have not yet done, I think Direk will ask me to do. It’s really my first time to take on such a role. I really prepared for it. I read the script so many times!) –Rappler.com