GOOBYE JASMIN-MY GIRL, HELLO BETTYFUL BETTY LA FEA

My Girl and Singing Bee will finally bid goodbye to Kapamilya Primetime Bida viewers this coming Friday. Betty La Fea will say hello to the Philippines on Monday, September 08, 2008. Finally, John Lloyd Cruz was chosen to portray the role of Armando Solis.

Eighteen of Betty La Fea have been produced in different countries around the world. The Philippines is the 19^th country to produce its own. Our own version will star Filipino-British actress Bea Alonzo in the title role. It is Bea’s second time to transform for the role. The first was when she played Katrina Argos in Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay.

Some info and trivia about Yo Soy Betty La Fea around the world:

• The first of the original Colombian telenovela was Yo Soy Betty La Fea, which in English means “I am Betty the ugly.”
• The title comes from a scene in the first episode in which Betty calls the cafeteria extension to order coffee for a Beatriz Pinzon. As the newcomer, no one knows who she is, so she is then forced to tell the person on the other end of the line, “I am Betty, the ugly one.”
• The very first global adaptation of Betty was the version produced in India, titled Jassi Jaissi Koi Nahiin (There’s No One Like Jassi). Jassi’s character was so popular that a postage stamp with her likeness was produced.
• In February 2008, as part of their Angelic Dreamz, Inc. line, the Madame Alexander dolls created two dolls in Betty’s likeness.
• The U.S. version was the first Betty adaptation to air once a week.
• The version aired in Israel ran for three seasons, and in it, Betty was a policeman’s daughter.
• The Turkish version told the story of Betty La Fea on two separate TV channels. When the show moved from one network to the other, the role of Betty was given to a different actress, while the rest of the cast remained intact.
• The German version’s theme song, Liebe 1^st, was performed by Nena, who had a huge hit in the United States in the early 1980’s with 99 Luftballons.
• In the Spanish version, Betty worked at a fashion magazine called Bulevar 21. Apparently due to the success of the show, a magazine of the same name was launched in real life.
• In the original Colombian version, lead actress Ana Maria Orozo and Julian Arango (who played Hugo) were married in real life but divorced during the run of the series.

Thanks to Starstudio magazine for this info and trivia. Check more information about Betty La Fea on her multiply website www.ilovebettylafea.multiply.com. Photo courtesy of Betty's website.