Box-Office Queen Bea Alonzo and Primetime Goddess Carla Abellana shared insights on the intense scenes in their upcoming series, "Widows War," which will debut on GMA Primetime on July 1.

"Meron kami ritong mga intense scenes dito at hindi po kayo ma bo-bore. Pero hindi naman po ito yung tipo ng kwentong wala na kaming ginawa kundi magsampalan or magaway. But it will keep you on the edge of your seats kasi papahingahin muna namin kayo and then intense na naman ang mga scenes," said Carla during a media conference for the series at Matrix Center in Quezon City recently.

(We have intense scenes here, and you won't be bored. But this is different from the type of story where we don't do anything but slap each other or fight. But it will keep you on the edge of your seats because we will give you a break first. And then the scenes are intense again.)

Carla added: "May lumabas na sa teaser na nag away si Sam and George na pareho silang naka-black at nagsampalan sila. Mahihirapan kayo mamili sa kanila kung kanino kayo kakampi kasi parang walang tama at mali sa kanilang dalawa. Pareho kasi silang may pinanggagalingan."

(Something has come out in the teaser: Sam and George fought with both of them wearing black, and they slapped each other. It will be difficult for you to decide which side you are on because there seems to be no right or wrong between them. They both come from different backgrounds.)

Bea revealed that the newest series has been a demanding journey, taking a toll on her both emotionally and physically.

"Sa totoo lang, ang project na ito ay hindi lang emotionally draining kundi physically draining din. Kung mapapansin ninyo sa teaser, ang ganda ng mga locations. Meron sa Bataan, La Union, at Batangas. Direk Zig (Dulay) makes sure na visually enticing din siya. 

(Honestly, this project is not only emotionally draining but also physically draining. If you notice in the teaser, the locations are beautiful. We shot in Bataan, La Union, and Batangas. Director Zig makes sure the scenes are visually enticing.)

"Mahirap din naman puntahan ang mga lugar na ito but we make sure na maganda siyang lalabas based sa script. We can only hope and imagine na ganun din siya lalabas. Yes! It's intense not only sa screen but hindi kami nagrereklamo kasi kapag nakikita namin yung product na ginagawa namin, very happy ako," Bea said.

(These places are also difficult to visit but we make sure that the scenes will come out well based on the script. Yes! It's intense not only on the screen, but we don't complain because when we see the finished product we are making, I am very happy.)

Bea and Carla also shared how they related to their characters in the series. 

"Hindi ako nakaka-relate gaano. Ibang-iba rito si George. Somehow nahihirapan akong maka-relate sa kanya. She's ambitious. She will do everything and anything to get what she wants. Pagdating sa pamilya gagawin niya ang lahat kahit na mali. Matapang si George kaya nahihirapan po ako makarelate sa kanya in real life," said Carla.

(I can't relate much. George is very different. Somehow, I find it difficult to relate to her. She's ambitious. She will do everything and anything to get what she wants. Regarding family, she will do everything, even if it's wrong. George is brave, so it's hard for me to relate to her in real life.)

Bea said: "Iba yung genre nito kumpara sa lahat ng nagawa ko. But the process is still the same for me. Pinaguusapan nga namin ni Direk kanina. As actors we are storytellers. So lahat ng emotions nanggagaling within yourself. Lahat tayo hindi naman perfect. May kabutihan tayo at meron din tayong kasamaan. May kabaliwan din tayong lahat di ba. 

(It's a different genre compared to everything I've done. But the process is still the same for me. The director and I were talking about it earlier. As actors we are storytellers. So all emotions come from within ourselves. We're all not perfect. We have good and we also have evil. We all have madness too, right?)

"Pero bilang artista, kinukuha mo yung maliit na bagay na yun patra i-magnify mo. So I guess the process is still the same in doing drama or horror or other genres but I think ang malaking tulong dito ay ang creative team. I am very happy that I have these actors with me," Bea said.

(But as an actor, you take that little thing to magnify it. So, the process is still the same in doing drama, horror, or other genres, but the creative team is a big help here. I am very happy that I have these actors with me.)

"Widows War" is Bea and Carla's first project together. Both stars shared the excitement of working together for the first time.

"Finally naka trabaho ko na si Carla because she is very professional. She's a generous actress and a gentler soul. She's gracious, and I'm glad I got to know her better," Bea said.

Carla answered: "I think I've mentioned before na hindi ko talaga akalain na aabot sa ganitong point na nakatrabaho ko si Bea Alonzo. Wishful thinking ko lang yan noon. So noong sinabi sa akin na may project kami, sobra po akong na excite. May konting kaba.

"But my goodness. She's everything I imagined her to be. She's passionate about her craft. Maliliit na detalye hands-on siya. Walang reklamo sa set and very patient. Napakahusay na aktres," Carla said.

Bea mentioned that one of the reasons she agreed to take on the project was Direk Zig.

"Aside from the genre, I've always wanted to work with Direk Zig. Buti na lang at nabigyan ako ng chance. Hindi ko pinagsisihan kais yung process niya process niya at talento niya na ise-share niya sa atin ay extraordinary," she said.

(Aside from the genre, I've always wanted to work with Direk Zig. Fortunately, I was given a chance. I don't regret it because his process and the talent he will share with us are extraordinary.)

lies, deceit, and murder mystery

From the successes of “Widows’ Web” and “Royal Blood,” comes GMA Network's newest murder mystery drama, “Widows’ War.”

Starring Bea Alonzo and Carla, under the helm of award-winning director Zig, “Widows’ War” will lead viewers through twists and turns, keeping them on the edge of their seats.

For the first time ever, two of Philippine entertainment’s queens come together in a thrilling and mind-blowing series. Bea takes on the role of Samantha/Sam while Carla plays Georgina/George. Their lives will turn upside down when they get involved with the wealthy Palacios clan.

GMA Entertainment Group’s latest masterpiece boasts of a powerhouse ensemble, including Tonton Gutierrez as Galvan, COO of the Palacios’ mining company; Jeric Gonzales as Francis, a defeatist and Sam’s brother; Juancho Triviño as Abdul, a cop and George’s ex-boyfriend; Jackie Lou Blanco as Ruth, George’s materialistic mother; Lito Pimentel as Amando, the secretive butler of the Palacios; Timmy Cruz as Mercy, the protective mother of Sam; Rita Daniela as Rebecca, a schizophrenic member of the rich clan; Royce Cabrera as Jericho, the inquisitive household staff of the Palacios; Lovely Rivero as Vivian, Galvan’s former secretary; James Graham as Louie, Amando’s grandson; Charlie Flemming as Sofia, Galvan’s illegitimate child with Vivian; Matthew Uy as Edward, George’s brother; and Ms. Jean Garcia as Aurora, the self-proclaimed matriarch of the Palacios.

Joining the star-studded cast in their special roles are Benjamin Alves as Basil Palacios, the competitive husband of George, and Rafael Rosell as Paco Palacios, Sam’s loving husband.

Based on the original concept of RJ Nuevas and Ken De Leon, “Widows’ War” revolves around Sam and George, former best friends who will go head-to-head to find out who between them is the real sinner or saint.

Sam and George blame each other for an unfortunate event their families experience and everything that follows. Soon, they cross paths again while mourning their husbands. Their sanity and reputation are put at risk when they become suspects in the sudden deaths of Paco and Basil.

As the two widows try to clean their own names, Sam and George uncover a web of lies and deceit. Will they choose to bring each other down or will they become allies to solve the murder mystery?

Who can they trust when everyone seems to have a motive? Are Sam and George truly innocent?

“Widows’ War” is produced by the GMA Entertainment Group, headed by Senior Vice President Lilybeth G. Rasonable, Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Assistant Vice President for Drama Helen Rose S. Sese, Senior Program Manager Redgynn Alba, and Executive Producer Michele R. Borja.

The show’s creative team consists of Creative Director Aloy Adlawan, Content Development Consultant Ricky Lee, Creative Consultant RJ Nuevas, Head Writer Obet Villela, Writers Ken De Leon, Jimuel Dela Cruz, and Abner Tulagan, and Brainstormers Louize Alsheri and Carlo Ventura.

Unveil the secrets and find out how love kills in “Widows’ War,” premiering July 1 on GMA Prime, weeknights at 8:50 p.m. The program also has a delayed telecast on GTV at 10:50 p.m.