ABS-CBN’s “May Bukas Pa”

Update: The show has ended. Read my thoughts on the finale of “May Bukas Pa”.
http://www.syaoran.net/blog/2010/02/salamat-may-bukas-pa/

Usually, I try to avoid going to PinoyExchange.com’s Local Movies and TV section because of all the hate and bashing going around. But I’ve been affected so much by this ABS-CBN show that I just felt I needed to share my thoughts on it to other people. So I also posted this review there.

When they were first airing teasers for this show, I was really glad they were finally going to show a good and inspiring show for a change. I really hated ABS’s primetime block before because of Eva Fonda (sorry to the fans). So seeing “May Bukas Pa” (from here on will be referred to as “MBP”) was truly a breath of fresh air on primetime TV.

After watching the first few episodes, I thought the show was good. I actually missed the first 2 episodes. From what I’ve seen so far though, it has very little similarities to the animated series “Marcelino Pan y Vino” which I used to watch as a kid. Marcelino died in the original story. I honestly think the writers of MBP should end it this way too. It would be the best ending ever! I hope that didn’t sound too morbid.

Now after 2 weeks, I can proudly say that this is one of the best TV series from ABS-CBN. It has a good mix of drama, mystery, humor and best of all – good morals.

This show is highly recommended for the whole family. It couldn’t even be more timely now with the crisis many Pinoys are experiencing. To the entire cast and crew involved with this rare gem of Philippine television, I salute you.

I’ve heard the news that they were originally planning this series to only have a 2-month run. But now with news that it’s the highest-rating primetime show, there are now talks of extending it to 5 months!

Banking on the fact that at this early it’s now doing well in ratings is not always a good idea. This could easily turn into another case of “Sana Maulit Muli“. That show started off really good with a great story. But after getting extended for weeks then months, the show’s quality greatly plummeted. But then, there’s also the possibility that the writers of MBP really have a good story planned before. ABS-CBN just gave them 2 months because MBP was not the kind of show they were expecting to do well in the ratings game. Whatever happens, I’m sure “Bro” won’t let this show go down the drain.

Every night I learn something good from this show. Most recently, Santino had to make a difficult decision. He wants to help other people because that’s what Bro told him to do. But the priests also told him never to heal anyone in front of other people. Well I’m sure you know who Santino obeyed. Then I suddenly remembered a quote from the Bible.

“For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.” – Luke 9:24

The moral is that if it’s within our power, we should never hesitate to give out a helping hand. Those who value their life so much to the point that they already ignore those people in need will lose their life (not to be taken literally of course). This is also why I think Santino will meet the same fate as Marcelino did in the original story’s ending.

Can you now see the effect this show has on me?

May Bukas Pa airs after TV Patrol World (around 7:45 PM) from Monday to Friday on ABS-CBN. Make sure to catch it if you haven’t yet!

Photo courtesy of: http://may-bukas-pa.blogspot.com/http://www.syaoran.net/blog/2010/02/salamat-may-bukas-pa/