Kapamilya show wins hearts of Pinoys in US

“Have you seen it?”

That’s Funfare’s New York correspondent Edmund Silvestre asking me if I’ve seen Be Careful With My Heart, the ABS-CBN show that he said is winning the hearts of Filipinos in the US.

When I said I haven’t, not all of it anyway but only parts of it, Edmund said, “Sayang. Ang lakas ng impact ng show na ‘yan, just like Walang Hanggan, another ABS-CBN show. I’d been hearing about the show so out of curiosity I checked it out. Hayan, na-addict na ako. I’ve gotten so attached to the characters.”

Like those in the Philippines (and Filipinos in other countries reached by The Filipino Channel), according to Edmund, viewers in the US are hooked on the saga of a caring and good-natured nanny named Maya delos Santos and her dashing employer Richard Lim (played by Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard “Papa Chen” Yap, respectively).

“Who would have thought that the Jodi-Richard tandem would make a big dent in the morning ratings war in Philippine television let alone stir excitement akin to the Richard Gomez-Dawn Zulueta team-up in Walang Hanggan,” said Edmund.

Be Careful With My Heart was instantly embraced by households across the Philippines and, not surprisingly, by TFC subscribers overseas when it premiered in early July. It is already one of today’s most beloved Pinoy teleseryes, thanks largely to Jodi’s radiant presence and ingenuity as an actress.

The cast of Be Careful With My Heart (from left): Robert Ortega, Gloria Sevilla, Jerome Perez, Janella Salvador, Richard, Jodi, Sylvia Sanchez and Divina Valencia, with child actors Mutya Orquia and JM Ibanez.

I agree with Edmund in his observation that if you’re not familiar with Jodi, you might think Maya is essayed to perfection by a young and pretty newcomer who has so much promise in acting.

From portions of the Be Careful that I’ve seen, I can say that Jodi, who just turned 30, awesomely comes across as this much younger and naive nanny who touches everyone around her in a positive way. The character’s naivete comes from her honesty and faith in humanity, although she always knows when to stand up for herself and that makes her smart at the same time.

Like Edmund, I wonder how Jodi does it, but she’s simply sensational as Maya, even eclipsing the winsome charm of her character Tricia Manalastas in her previous blockbuster primetime series 100 Days To Heaven. It’s perhaps safe to say that Jodi is the female counterpart of John Lloyd Cruz — good-looking enough to be a star, charismatic, versatile and award-winning — and mysterious.

Unlike celebrities who make public (through the press and social network) things that are best left private, Jodi never washes dirty laundry in public and thus manages to keep her mystique (and the public’s curiosity and interest) intact — same with John Lloyd and other A-listers that include Angel Locsin, Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Gerald Anderson, Toni Gonzaga and Piolo Pascual, among others.

Even when her separation from her husband Pampy Lacson was grist for the gossip mill and feasted on the tabs, Jodi kept her cool, ignoring snide remarks of Iwa Moto, Pampy’s new girlfriend.

For the sake of those who haven’t watched or are only starting to watch it, Be Careful’s plot is light and simple, nothing out of the ordinary. It’s about a barrio girl looking for greener pastures to provide for her family and ends up working for a wealthy but brokenhearted family she would help heal and eventually fall in love with. And soon, her employer she fondly calls “Sir Chief” (a grieving widower portrayed decently by Richard) would fall for her, too.

Added Edmund, “But the show’s moving dialogues and uplifting messages, as well as good performances by the support cast and impeccable direction by Jeffrey Jeturian and Mervyn Brondial, bring respite to many viewers who could hardly cope with life’s stresses and challenges. While other shows make you feel sad, depressed or even mad — to the point that you fantasize about strangling characters like the diabolic Doña Margaret or Miguel or even Nathan in Walang Hanggan — Be Careful brings pure joy, laughter, hope and endless possibilities. And its tender moments between Maya and her ‘Sir Chief’ never fail to evoke giggles and kilig.”

“That show is so inspiring it always brightens our day,” Edmund quoted New Jersey grandparents and TFC subscribers Jun and Aster Loleng as saying. “Napakahusay ni Jodi Sta. Maria. Mapapanganga ka talaga sa mga dialogue at acting niya and before you know it eh tawa ka na nang tawa. Maisip pa lang namin na manonood na kami ng Be Careful eh may feeling of happiness agad. Hindi nakaka-stress panoorin unlike other teleseryes.”

“We have never enjoyed such a heartwarming show since May Bukas Pa,” Edmund also quoted another Be Careful fan, Regina Garcia, another retiree and TFC subscriber from New Jersey. “Makita mo lang si Maya buo na ang araw mo. You really feel good just by watching her.”

Director Jeffrey Jeturian

Maya is indeed an inspiration. She keeps a positive, upbeat attitude in the face of adversity, and recovers from failures with her faith and tenacity. “Hindi ito ang magpapabagsak sa akin,” she firmly told herself while wiping away tears after falling prey to an illegal recruiter who promised her a job in Dubai.

She draws strength and inspiration from her family in chasing her dream to become a flight attendant. Her character highlights the value of education as well as the importance of a supportive and loving family, something that entertainment programs are lacking these days.

Maya is blessed with an ideal family composed of her sister and confidante Cristina Rose (played sparklingly by Aiza Seguerra), her prying but cool mother and grandmother (portrayed by equally delightful Sylvia Sanchez and Divina Valencia, respectively), and Maya’s smart nephew, Cho (talented boy wonder JM Ibañez).

Though the family is in deep financial troubles, they stay united — always invoking Maya’s kapit-bisig slogan.

Even young televiewers can learn from Maya’s interactions with her mute ward Abby (played brilliantly by Mutya Orquia). Whenever Abby feels down or defeated, Yaya Maya would cheer her up and persuade her to try again and never give up.

“Kapag nadapa ka, bangon,” she tells Abby. “Kapag nadapa ka ulit, bangon ulit. Kapag nadapa ka pa rin, pwede ka rin gumapang, makakarating ka pa rin sa pupuntahan mo, kaya nga lang dugyot ka na.” And they both laughed heartily.

“Be Careful is a simple show with no lavish or big budget productions, not even huge stars except for Jodi. But it is written and presented beautifully, packed with life’s essential lessons and traditional Pinoy values that many of us can learn from especially the young generation if we are to prepare and mold them into responsible and productive citizens.”

(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions toaskrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.) - FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)