"The Drama" Continues

I can remember three telenovela's in ABS-CBN that my family,  a few friends, and I got addicted to : Meteor Garden 1, Maging Sino Ka Man and just recently--May Bukas Pa. (It's becoming more obvious that I'm more of a Kapamilya than a Kapuso.)

I rarely get hooked on TV soaps for several reasons. First, it can be frustrating when you've been all hyped to watch an episode, then your dad hogs the TV for a boxing match. Second, you're liable to losing episodes because of power shortage. (Eventually, it'll be back just after the most climactic part or as the credits roll in). Third, watching it can become an "addiction," and then, you later have to do some serious time management just to accommodate it. Lastly, you'll be faced with a dilemma--should you go out or come up with an excuse to stay at home and indulge in it?

Still, I must say that May Bukas Pa is indeed "something." I never got to watch its pilot episode, but my curiosity over what Ma and my sisters were talking about one evening, apparently lead to my sudden conversion into a "devotee."

Pa might be watching boxing; Ma's into news; my sisters and I might be chatting; but when it's time for the show, you'll know where to find us. Now, there's a new meaning to what  my sister would call as "family bonding."

And as we watch it night after night, I slowly begin to understand its appeal. (Or I might be at least speaking for myself):

• Most of their villains aren't "too evil." You can see each of the character's "humanness," which oftentimes lead them to impulsive and sometimes bad choices, high-strung emotions, rash decision-making, or vengeful actions:

Malena wants to prove that without her, Enrique is nothing. Enrique knows that he needs her to iron things out but doesn't want to acknowledge it... the two always trying to outwit each other. Enrique wants to become "good," but he compels himself to be bad, because the latter is easier to do. Besides, he wouldn't have a lot of explaining to do with his brother,  his wife, and the priests. Plus, being good will only make him appear weak and, eventually, unpopular.

Robert, Enrique's younger brother, has somehow developed a survivor's syndrome--doing anything he can to ensure that his own plans push through. (Besides, just look at him! Like most real-life villains, he looks innocent and inculpable).

•  Do you notice how the kids act? And how they converse? Kids talk like kids. And it's true when they feel helpless and defeated, they'll just either fight back or drop down and pray:

Santino:" Tulungan, natin sila... (Let's help them)

Alfred: "Eh anong magagawa natin, Santino? Mga bata lang tayo..." (But what can we do, Santino? We're just kids...)

•  Most of their actors have the natural look, and not heavily made up unless it's called for.

Stella and Anita have this close-to-authentic disheveled appearance... a look which Selda shares on a busy day in the precinct.

• The jealousy issues aren't too exaggerated. 

Selda understands Mario's plight but can't help but feel resentful when he spends more time searching for Stella...

• The priests aren't too condemning, and they often weigh things out.
  
• It portrays well how our emotions sometimes get in the way of making better choices.
  
• There are always life-changing experiences that humble the characters or lead them to change their decisions. And prayers are answered. 
• It shows you how you never realize that you need someone to talk to until a person (even a kid, at that) offers to listen. And yes, sometimes it's also easy to talk to strangers. (Just advice your kids not to meddle too much. Even Santino gets told when an issue is strictly off limits.)
  
• It's a good microcosm of society. In a small town like Barrio Bagong Pag-asa, most people feed on gossip.  They seem to always know what happened and how things should have been done.

The satirical element is effectively carried out. Following the soap makes you realize that the people who approve of you and cheer you on one moment will disapprove of you the next. (Kimberly, Rosalie, and Jennifer... layas!)

When a crisis hits a place, the people become one. At the same time, they're agreeable and encouraging.

So far, aside from the poorly computer-generated pests in some episodes, the mayor's mistress, and the fact that they didn't require a DNA sample from the "badly burned body" (supposedly of Stella), May Bukas Pa would make me want to see more.

I hope that the story writers will always have fresh ideas and provide for a satisfactory ending.  I really have to give credit to them. Already, their approach of bringing in weekly "guest stars" who have their own stories interwoven into the main plot is a breakthrough in Philippine TV soaps. As with real life, though people may come and go, their stories are just as important.And these people are bound to teach as something profound.

This task, with people's heightened expectations, would even prove to be more challenging, now that May Bukas Pa is extended until 2010. 

So the "drama" of my life continues...