(Warning: May contain spoilers.)
It’s been roughly three months since Golden Scenery of Tomorrow (GSOT) premiered on Viva One. The same amount of time has passed since the series became everyone’s new weekend habit.
It didn’t take long before GSOT became a testament to Filipinos’ unwavering love for feel-good romances, especially ones adapted from their favorite online stories. The ongoing series unfolds through the eyes of Avianna “Via” Diaz (Bea Binene) and Larkin Sanchez (Wilbert Ross), whom readers and viewers first met in Gwy Saludes’s hit Wattpad novel of the same name.
GSOT is also a fan favorite in the author’s six-part University Series, where each book spotlights fictional couples from various Philippine colleges.
Photo: VIVA TV/YouTube
Our book-to-screen adaptations have had a history of hits and misses since their peak years in the 2010s, when iconic blockbusters such as Diary ng Panget and She’s Dating the Gangster took the country by storm. Most readers and viewers want the shows and films that follow to fulfill their expectations, but often end up dealing with major plot changes and casting choices that might not align with what fans pictured for the source material.
You don’t have to harbor the same worries towards GSOT. The show, directed by Victor Villanueva, is a masterclass in kilig that stays true to the original book, thoughtfully bringing its pages to life.
It’s no surprise that the entire country has gotten hooked on Via and Larkin’s love story. Here’s why you should, too:
A Timeless Story With Fresh Perspectives
While the rest of the University Series pairs met each other in college, Via and Larkin go way back. The two have been best friends since birth and know one another better than anyone. GSOT follows the inseparable duo as they navigate the highs and lows of growing up, as their relationship deepens.
Any fan of the “childhood friends to lovers” trope in books, movies, and TV shows will instantly recognize the same dynamics between the two protagonists. Larkin has utterly adored Via since they were high school freshmen, while she didn’t acknowledge her feelings for him until they became young adults. Lies and misunderstandings may have left dents in their bond, but their shortcomings will never erase the love, care, and admiration they’ve always had for each other.
GSOT will have you laughing, swooning, and definitely crying over the realization that we all deserve a Via and Larkin in our lives. No matter what life throws at us, we need a special someone who’ll unconditionally support us and defend our names in rooms we aren’t in. And when the tables turn, it’s just as important for us to return the favor.
Unforgettable Characters Who Tug at Your Heartstrings
Bea shines as the timid and reserved Via, an Architecture student who wonders if she truly belongs in her chosen field while her friends pursue their lifelong passions. Wilbert also holds his own as the charming and multi-talented Larkin, a Film major who makes a name for himself as an emerging actor and recording artist.
Once you read and watch GSOT, you’ll easily understand why fans keep saying that Via and Larkin “jumped out of the book.” Not only is Bea and Wilbert’s chemistry through the roof, but they’ve also brought their characters to life diligently. They’ve portrayed Via and Larkin with utmost care and a full understanding of the hardships that jeopardize their relationship.
Wilbert’s guilt and dejection take up every corner of your screen when Larkin momentarily leaves Via for his acting duties. Meanwhile, Bea naturally captures Via’s burdened and overwhelmed state when her character fulfills her responsibilities as a burnt-out college student, an eldest daughter, and a non-showbiz girlfriend.
You know you’re in for powerful performances when a project stars Bea, a household name in Philippine entertainment, and Wilbert, who’s highly dedicated to his craft as an actor, a singer-songwriter, and a published author. Sure enough, the two celebrities, endearingly known as “WilBea,” have instantly captured fans’ hearts in GSOT, their first major milestone as an onscreen pair.
Eye-opening Insights on Filipino Love Teams and Fandoms
GSOT doesn’t hold back on the cuteness and kilig, but it also deeply reflects on the country’s “love team culture.” This becomes apparent when Larkin rapidly gains new admirers while working on various new projects with his co-star, Clea Aguilar (Ashley Diaz).
Larkin’s and Clea’s fans and managers highly favor them as a couple, unaware that their hearts belong to people outside showbiz. Larkin has Via, while Clea is hopelessly devoted to a man who wants nothing to do with her life in the limelight. Larkin even risks getting exposed in public to spend time with Via despite his hectic schedule.
Larkin and Clea represent the devastating reality of Filipino celebrities in love teams. When the public can’t imagine them pursuing anyone but their onscreen partners, they’re deprived of their freedom to love without putting their careers on the line. Toxicity ensues, too, when fans spot these stars with anybody who isn’t the other half of their love team.
GSOT may be a wholesome, lovey-dovey show, but it isn’t afraid to spotlight the pressures of fame that become detrimental to celebrities’ well-being. We can only hope that viewers also get the memo, and that the series encourages them to respect their favorite artists’ private lives.
Music for Every Hopeless Romantic
GSOT’s soundtrack is the cherry on top of a masterfully produced series. Every episode features various hidden gems in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) for hopeless romantics who’ve always dreamt of being in a relationship like Via and Larkin’s. These songs include:
- “Ginintuang Tanawin” by Wilbert Ross,
- “Ikaw ang Musika” by Gwy Saludes and Marc Alfaro,
- “Ngiti” by The Juans, and
- “My Favorite Movie” by Gilyan Saludes.
New episodes of Golden Scenery of Tomorrow premiere every Saturday at 12:00 midnight on Viva One.
ALSO READ: “Bad Genius: The Series” PH Adaptation Brings More Thrill, More Drama
Have you been keeping up with Golden Scenery of Tomorrow? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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