Negros Daily Bulletin writer James U. Sy Jr. with PBA legend Benjie "Papa Bear Chito" Paras during the Unveiling of the Alaxan FR "Court of Inspiration" last August 26, 2012 at Prk. Langka, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City (James U. Sy Jr./NDB photo).
The first time I heard the song “Got to Believe in Magic” was way back when I was just a grade 1 pupil at Tay Tung High School. The song came from the same era when songs such as “Words” and “King and Queen of Hearts” were in vogue, a time when love songs were really love songs.
I was watching Juan de la Cruz when I first saw the promo for Got to Believe (G2B), which aired starting August 26, 2013. I wasn’t impressed. What does a teen hanging another teen by her ankle upside down got to do with love? Well, the teleserye just proved that “first impressions last” to be not always the case.
I accidentally watched one episode and I was hooked. I’m a teenager no more and I don’t get kilig because of the beautiful or handsome lead stars. What caught my fancy was the plot first and foremost. The idea of Joaquin being accidentally shot in the head gave a refreshing twist to an otherwise love story retold hundreds of thousands of times around the world. That single event unraveled, layer by layer, the path to which their undying love story will come to full fruition.
In general, the storyline was based on reality. Well, at least with the exception of say, Lolo Isko showing up to Joaquin and then making him remember everything at just a snap of a finger when Chichay had to work a number of days to unsuccessfully rehabilitate Joaquin’s memory. I say based on reality in the sense that it shows the wide gap between the rich and the poor in the Philippine setting. Juliana and her father are typical of rich people who are eye poor (mata pobre, gets? ) while the Zaragosa couple exemplified the rich but kind individuals. Jaime symbolized the poor guy who worked hard and earned his place in society. The Tampipis were the epitome of the poor family that is full of love and aspirations in life.
I can deduce that G2B was a hit to the masses because of this characterization. The average Filipino can easily relate to the circumstances shown in the teleserye. They get to feel more emotional as the setting of the plot is closer to their hearts, closer to home as you might say.
I’m not saying that the characterization is the centerpiece of this particular masterpiece. On the contrary, it is the fairy tale romance between Chichay and Joaquin. The characterization gave their romance more life, more meaning. I could just imagine a young poor girl watching G2B, aspiring that someday her own prince charming, a knight in shining armor, will come to her aid and cover her body or to carry her in his arms after she falls down to the floor.
What the story essentially wants to show is the purity of the love of Chichay and Joaquin. Love is not just about dating, dining out, and watching the moon. It’s much more than that. In fact, G2B subtly taught that love goes beyond the usual teenage stereotype of what love is. Chichay showed that love also means sacrifice as she was willing to let go of Joaquin and be hurt in the process so he might just live. Even Bechay showed sacrifice when she did not go between the relationship of Juliana and Jaime.
I especially like the concept of Joaquin losing his memory but his heart still beating for Chichay. It’s kinda sweet and doesn’t fail to make hordes of girls and ladies kilig to the bones.
Their love is also pure because it was not based on lust. Chichay and Joaquin slept in one room but nothing happened. The most that Joaquin did was kiss her in the forehead, which showed his respect for her, as one would kiss a grandmother or a mother in the forehead. The producer and director of G2B wanted to present love at its purest form and in the process presenting a more wholesome TV viewing for the whole family.
Just like what ABS-CBN did with Juan de la Cruz, G2B was subtly teaching its viewers values that one can use in real life. Respect for parents and superiors, the caring of the elders, the value of education, the value of friendship, honesty, fighting for one’s right and principles, being righteous, and a lot more. In this sense, G2B did more than entertain, it taught as well, though indirectly and subtly.
Over all, it’s two thumbs up for me (that would be two toes up for a friend of mine ). The cast and crew did a good job.
As they say, all good things must come to an end. But the lessons and values that G2B gave to the consciousness of the Filipino nation will continue to inspire and give hope, especially when Filipinos will need “magic” in their own lives.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
G2B - The Best Ending Ever: A Review By: James U. Sy Jr.
Negros Daily Bulletin writer James U. Sy Jr. with PBA legend Benjie "Papa Bear Chito" Paras during the Unveiling of the Alaxan FR "Court of Inspiration" last August 26, 2012 at Prk. Langka, Brgy. Taloc, Bago City (James U. Sy Jr./NDB photo).
The first time I heard the song “Got to Believe in Magic” was way back when I was just a grade 1 pupil at Tay Tung High School. The song came from the same era when songs such as “Words” and “King and Queen of Hearts” were in vogue, a time when love songs were really love songs.
I was watching Juan de la Cruz when I first saw the promo for Got to Believe (G2B), which aired starting August 26, 2013. I wasn’t impressed. What does a teen hanging another teen by her ankle upside down got to do with love? Well, the teleserye just proved that “first impressions last” to be not always the case.
I accidentally watched one episode and I was hooked. I’m a teenager no more and I don’t get kilig because of the beautiful or handsome lead stars. What caught my fancy was the plot first and foremost. The idea of Joaquin being accidentally shot in the head gave a refreshing twist to an otherwise love story retold hundreds of thousands of times around the world. That single event unraveled, layer by layer, the path to which their undying love story will come to full fruition.
In general, the storyline was based on reality. Well, at least with the exception of say, Lolo Isko showing up to Joaquin and then making him remember everything at just a snap of a finger when Chichay had to work a number of days to unsuccessfully rehabilitate Joaquin’s memory. I say based on reality in the sense that it shows the wide gap between the rich and the poor in the Philippine setting. Juliana and her father are typical of rich people who are eye poor (mata pobre, gets? ) while the Zaragosa couple exemplified the rich but kind individuals. Jaime symbolized the poor guy who worked hard and earned his place in society. The Tampipis were the epitome of the poor family that is full of love and aspirations in life.
I can deduce that G2B was a hit to the masses because of this characterization. The average Filipino can easily relate to the circumstances shown in the teleserye. They get to feel more emotional as the setting of the plot is closer to their hearts, closer to home as you might say.
I’m not saying that the characterization is the centerpiece of this particular masterpiece. On the contrary, it is the fairy tale romance between Chichay and Joaquin. The characterization gave their romance more life, more meaning. I could just imagine a young poor girl watching G2B, aspiring that someday her own prince charming, a knight in shining armor, will come to her aid and cover her body or to carry her in his arms after she falls down to the floor.
What the story essentially wants to show is the purity of the love of Chichay and Joaquin. Love is not just about dating, dining out, and watching the moon. It’s much more than that. In fact, G2B subtly taught that love goes beyond the usual teenage stereotype of what love is. Chichay showed that love also means sacrifice as she was willing to let go of Joaquin and be hurt in the process so he might just live. Even Bechay showed sacrifice when she did not go between the relationship of Juliana and Jaime.
I especially like the concept of Joaquin losing his memory but his heart still beating for Chichay. It’s kinda sweet and doesn’t fail to make hordes of girls and ladies kilig to the bones.
Their love is also pure because it was not based on lust. Chichay and Joaquin slept in one room but nothing happened. The most that Joaquin did was kiss her in the forehead, which showed his respect for her, as one would kiss a grandmother or a mother in the forehead. The producer and director of G2B wanted to present love at its purest form and in the process presenting a more wholesome TV viewing for the whole family.
Just like what ABS-CBN did with Juan de la Cruz, G2B was subtly teaching its viewers values that one can use in real life. Respect for parents and superiors, the caring of the elders, the value of education, the value of friendship, honesty, fighting for one’s right and principles, being righteous, and a lot more. In this sense, G2B did more than entertain, it taught as well, though indirectly and subtly.
Over all, it’s two thumbs up for me (that would be two toes up for a friend of mine ). The cast and crew did a good job.
As they say, all good things must come to an end. But the lessons and values that G2B gave to the consciousness of the Filipino nation will continue to inspire and give hope, especially when Filipinos will need “magic” in their own lives.
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