According to folklore, when a Santelmo drops from the sky and lands on the hands of a mortal, its catcher will uncover a metallic stone as its embers die. This will give the newfound possessor extraordinary strength and super human powers coming from the sun. So what happens if a mortal woman pregnant with twins catches the Santelmo?

The answer lies in GMA’s latest fantasy series, Super Twins, where Nadine Samonte and Jennylyn Mercado play the title roles opposite Dennis Trillo, Camille Prats, Ian de Leon, Tanya Garcia, Patrick Garcia, Tetchie Agbayani, Caridad Sanchez, newbie actors Felix and Dominic Roco, and Ella Cruz and Nicole Dulalia as the twins’ alter egos.

The Girls

Playing Super T to Jennylyn Mercado’s Super S, Nadine Samonte is thrilled to be on the series. “I am very happy that I am part of big projects like these, “ she says, “I always thought then that after StarStruck, I would not be in exciting projects since they are lined up for the ultimate female survivor of our batch, which was Jen (Mercado). After my two afternoon soaps… GMA cast me in Now and Forever. After that soap, tuloy-tuloy na. I guess they saw that I am very dedicated in what I do, and that I give my best in all the opportunities they give me kaya eto, I am one of the Super Twins.”

Like her twin sister, Super T has superhuman qualities including the ability to fly, and can use her ring to attack her foes.

But their alter-egos are different as night and day. Sha-Sha, a young girl who transforms into the teen Super T, is the hothead. Her twin, Tin-Tin, is the calm, quiet one. They are kind and doting daughters to their father, played by Ian de Leon, who unknowingly puts his daughters in harm’s way when they are kidnapped by a woman intent on their father’s wealth.

What sustains the children are precious rings their father gave them. Tin-Tin gets the ring marked with a “T” and Sha-Sha the ring with the “S.” When they kiss the ring, they turn into super heroes.

Saying that the costume she and Jennylyn wears are “aliw” and that the fight scenes in the series has a touch of “kikay” to it, Nadine believes kids will also like the series for the values of friendship and family that the twins will learn.

She relates that the working atmosphere on the set is very congenial as she was with Jennylyn Mercado in StarStruck and Dennis Trillo in the series Etheria.

Nadine, Jennylyn and Dennis Trillo also deal with fatigue pretty much the same way – by staying quiet, listening to music and taking power naps. After all, their fight scenes can be very exhausting. They underwent taekwondo and capoiera training but sometimes learn the choreography of their fight scenes on the day itself.

Asked what powers she would you like to have in case she becomes a real life super hero? “The power to turn back the hands of time so that every time I do something wrong, I can correct it,” answers Nadine.

The Jedi-like Master

As for Dennis Trillo, he gives another go at the fantasy genre he’s known for, playing Eliseo, a Jedi-like master who trains the twins to unleash their super powers.

To become believable, Dennis spent two months learning basic stunts, kicks, wushu, and a little capoiera. “It is very important that I look credible. All my moves must be precise so that I will come off as a convincing master, “ he explains. He also gets to show off a nicely sculpted torso in the first week of the series.

So why did he accept another tele-fantasya character?

“I was impressed with the totality of the Super Twins story and the role poses a lot of challenges,” he explains. “In addition, I will learn many new things by playing Eliseo; it will allow me to present other facets as an actor. You will be surprised by all the twists and I hope the viewers will appreciate what we are offering.”

Real-life twins on the set

Super Twins also gets a boost from it support cast, including real life twins Felix and Dominic Roco, sons of the multi-awarded Bembol Roco. The brothers play pirate DVD vendors who are friends with the tomboyish Dru Barimore, played by Camille Prats.

“We are very excited and happy to be part of this show because this our first primetime gig and I see it is a wonderful opportunity for a newbie like me. It is stupid if I pass up this opportunity,” says Dominic.

Felix, who is older by two minutes, adds, “There are a lot of good actors in it and we know it will be a fun experience for us. We will learn a lot from them. I also like the fact that the story of Super Twins is somewhat original. Reading through the script, each character has a uniqueness about them and that for me is a wonderful development”

The twins play Lester and Ian who live in a squatter’s area. A stretch, some have said, considering their looks. “Di ba, may squatters din namang pogi,” Felix comments.

The twins said that the acting bug bit after they enjoyed the workshops they attended. They also admit to feeling pressure every time people expect them to be as good as their father. While they idolize their dad, Felix and Dominic hope that in time, they will be appreciated for their own abilities.

Felix says that Dominic is “very quiet, shy, and people misinterpret it as being snobbish so matatakot ka sa kanya.” He adds that Super Twins director Dom Zapata thinks Dominic looks like a younger Paolo Bediones.

For his part, Dominic describes Felix as “makulit but hindi bastos” He adds, "He is also very happy-go-lucky. It is easy to work with him. It is a good thing to be together.”

While Felix wishes he had the ability to fly, Dominic doesn’t buy into the idea of super heroes and believes that it is up to the individual to save himself from peril.