Sanya Lopez has been cast as the new First Yaya, replacing Marian Rivera in the title role of the new Kapuso teleserye.
“Yes, confirmed na. Ako po si First Yaya. Ako po si Yaya Melody,” Sanya said in a 24 Oras interview on Monday.
The 24-year-old actress also admitted in the interview that she is both excited and nervous for her upcoming first titular primetime series.
“Siyempre po kabado and excited dahil alam ko na malaki ‘yung ine-expect nila sa akin bilang inyong First Yaya.”
“First time ko po kasi na binigyan po ako ng show sa primetime na ako po ‘yung title role kaya naman talagang maraming-maraming salamat po nang sobra-sobra sa GMA po.”
A GMA report said that it was a “unanimous decision” by the network to pick Sanya, saying that she will be best fit for the role.
“Unanimous actually ‘yung pick namin na si Sanya will be bagay for the role. So nakita naman namin siya doon sa Haplos, sa Cain at Abel, at siyempre sa Encantadia,” Ali Dedicatoria, senior program manager of First Yaya, was quoted as saying.
She added, “So we think na babagay siya doon sa role. So ‘yun lang, our gut feeling at saka ‘yung past shows niya that she did really well. Unanimous ang decision ng GMA 7 na si Sanya is fit for the role. Wala kaming second choice for her.”
On Instagram, leading actor Gabby Concepcion shared his excitement to have Sanya as his new leading lady and the show’s filming.
“At last, may Yaya na ako. Taping soon. My First Yaya with Sanya Lopez,” wrote Gabby in an Instagram story.
To recall, Marian Rivera backed out of the project back in September to prioritize her family, and take of her kids Zia, 4 and Sixto, 1.
“Gustong-gusto kong gawin ang First Yaya, nakakasa na ako d’yan. Buong puso at isip ko, nakalaan ako na gagawin ko ‘yan. Nagkataon na may pandemya tayo kaya ang sabi ko talaga ‘siguro hindi pa ito ‘yung time’. Kasi mahirap sa akin naka-lock in, hindi ko makikita ‘yung mga anak ko, nagpapadede pa ako kay Sixto, inaasikaso ko si Zia sa online class niya tapos hindi ako uuwi ng bahay. Sabi ko, ‘Naku, paano ito? Hindi ko kakayanin,’” shared Marian in a press conference.
