'Legal Wives' aims to make Maranao people feel seen, understood

"Legal Wives" aims to make its viewers understand the cultural and religious lives of the Maranao people, according to director Zig Dulay.

In an online interview with the press on Monday, Dulay said they have a responsibility to tell the story of the Maranao, so they won't be seen as different.

"We are all people. It just happens that they have different culture, faith," he said in Filipino.

Dennis Trillo, who plays Ismael Macadato, said that the show will make the audience see that there is more to Muslims than the negative stereotypes that people have of them.

"When you say Muslim, there's a stereotype that they are bad people," he said in a mix of English and Filipino. "Here, you will know that they are misunderstood."

"You will not get mad or think of them negatively after watching this," he added.

Dulay said they went through numerous phases to stay "culturally and politically correct."

"Before we started completing the story, we have cultural consultants," he said. "We also had seminars with speakers who are knowledgeable about Maranao culture."

"Each scene became meticulous especially with the rituals," he added. "The scripts also took time because we let the Imam read it."

Aside from the production, the actors also took the time to study and understand every line so they will be able to say them correctly.

"We had to read every day so you'll get used to it, so it will sound natural," Dennis said.

"One of the people here at home is Muslim so on the way to taping, she taught me some of the accents. I recorded and listened to it every break time," Alice Dixson added.

Bianca Umali also previously said that she also prepared for the show by studying the Maranao's ways.

Last month, Alice posted some behind-the-scenes footage from the set where she shared some of the items they used like the ampas, gadur, and likos.

"Legal Wives," dubbed the first-ever Muslim teleserye on Philippine TV, will air on July 26.

—MGP, GMA News