'Voltes V: Legacy' stars relive the joys, challenges and triumphs of shooting the epic series

After three years in production, the much-awaited "Voltes V: Legacy" just aired a week-worth of episodes last week, and it has already received good reviews and kind words from viewers and critics.

In the latest episode of "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho," the series stars, namely Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Radson Flores, Matt Lozano, and Raphael Landicho, shared how their characters resonated with them and recalled the joys and challenges of being part of such a legacy show.

According to Miguel, who gives life to Steve Armstrong, even though the original Japanese anime aired in the 1970s, the story of "Voltes V" has remained relatable because of its familial storyline.

"Feeling ko madali lang po kaming naka-relate kasi 'yung istorya ng 'Voltes V' is all about family," Miguel said.

"And kahit sino naman po makaka-relate kapag usapang pamilya na," he added.

("Voltes V is all about family, which makes it easy for people to relate to.")

The Kapuso actor said "Voltes V: Legacy" would bring nostalgia to now grown-ups who used to watch the series in its anime form when they were still young.

"Ginawa po namin ang 'Voltes V: Legacy' dahil gusto po namin ibalik sa pagkabata 'yung mga matatanda po," he said.

"And at the same time, 'yun din 'yung bonding nila para maintindihan ng mga anak nila kung ano 'yung pinapanood nila nung mga bata sila," he added.

("We want people to feel nostalgic. It's also a way for the younger generation to understand what their parents used to watch.")

Miguel also turned emotional while taking a trip down memory lane— particularly in watching KMJS' old feature on him last 2004. 

"Ang tanda ko na, Miss Jessica. Medyo emotional nang konti. Nakakatuwa lang makita na from five years old, ang dami nang nangyari sa karera ko and 'yung mga taong nakapaligid sa akin nandun pa rin sila and sabay-sabay kaming nag-go-grow. Sobrang grateful ko po sa GMA."

("Watching this makes me feel so many emotions. I was only five years old then. So much has happened since. The people that are with me are still there cheering me on, and we're all growing as people. I'm very grateful to GMA.")

Meanwhile, Ysabel, who portrays Jaime Robinson, said her character has allowed her to be reminiscent of her father, a former action star and current Senator, Lito Lapid.

"I'm grateful po na nabi-bring up nila 'yun, nakikita nila 'yung dad ko sa akin na they're encouraging me, they're saying a lot of nice things po so very grateful po," Ysabel said.

("I'm grateful for the opportunity that was given to me, and for encouraging me.")

On the other hand, Radson Flores, who plays the role of Mark Gordon, said that shooting "Voltes V: Legacy" during the pandemic came with a huge hurdle.

"Malaking hurdle po sa amin 'yun kasi kailangan po naming magpa-test and then mag-quarantine," Radson said.

"Ang hirap po nun [kasi] 'pag may mag-positive na isa, uwian po agad lahat," the actor added.

("It was difficult because we had health protocols to follow. If someone tested positive, the shoot stops.")

Meanwhile, Matt Lozano, who portrays Big Bert, turned emotional just by looking back on the challenges they faced while filming the legacy series.

"Halu-halo pong emosyon 'yung nararamdaman ko, e. Sobrang nakaka- excite na mag-portray ng kilalang character, at the same time, ang hirap din," Matt said.

("It's very exciting for me to be able to portray a known character. But that is also a challenge in itself.")

Raphael Landicho, who is Little Jon in the series, had to change his costume three times because he kept outgrowing it over time.

"Kasi nga po team bahay po ako nun, di po ako nakakapagtaping kaya lumaki na po ako, 'yun," Raphael said with a laugh.

("I had to change costumes several times, because I was home a lot.")

After the interview, the KMJS team prepared a challenge for the cast members. Since the cast has perfected their volt-in sequence for "Voltes V: Legacy," will they also be able to build a Voltes V robot in one minute?

Miguel, Ysabel, Radson, Matt, and Rafael only took 45 seconds to build the Voltes V robot!

Along with the series and the robot itself, there's also this certain nostalgia that the Voltes V theme song brings.

The Voltes V theme song for the live action adaptation is rendered by Julie Ann San Jose.

In this episode of KMJS, the cast members and Jessica Soho also had fun singing the Voltes V theme song.

"Voltes V: Legacy" airs weekdays on GMA Telebabad at 8 p.m. after "24 Oras." It is also live streamed on YouTube and GMANetwork.com/KapusoStream.

—JCB, GMA Integrated News