'Magpakailanman' Tells the Life Story of a Rabies Victim!

For most dog owners, their pets are more than just their bestfriends.  Oftentimes, they are more like family.  Such was the case with Eduardo Sese -- that was before his beloved pet unwittingly ended his life due to rabies.

Sese was a poor familyman in the province of Pampanga. Although he was undereducated and lacked the skills that would land him a good job, he was a righteous man.

He may not have the perfect family and marriage, at least he had his dogs to turn to in his times of despair.  What he didn't expect was that his closeness with his canine friends would cost him his own life.

One day one of the puppies accidentally bit on Sese's finger, and since he didn't realize how harmful that bite could be, he didn't bother to get an anti-rabies shot.

After some time, Sese's family noticed several oddities in his behavior.  Suddenly, he became afraid of the wind and avoided water, tell-tale signs of rabies. Soon, his behavior became animal-like and he began to manifest dog-like characteristics.  His condition worsened as months passed by ultimately ending in his tragic death.

This Saturday (February 2), GMA's drama anthology program, "Magpakailanman" will televise the life story of Eduardo Sese and how he lost the battle to rabies, a deadly viral infection that is mainly spread by infected warm-blooded animals like dogs. 

Entitled "Kagat ng Asong Ulol," the episode stars Gabby Eigenmann (as Eduardo Sese) with Rochelle Pangilinan, Irma Adlawan, Ces Quesada and Maybelline dela Cruz.

Find out more about Eduardo Sese's story in "Magpakailanman" hosted by veteran journalist Mel Tiangco airing this Saturday (February 2), after Kap's Amazing Stories, on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

Katrina Halili on Moving On: "Nadapa ako, bumangon ako, at inayos ko ang buhay ko!"

Kapuso actress Katrina Halili is back in showbiz refreshed and with a renewed spirit. And in her return, she tells her own story in an episode of the GMA drama anthology, "Magpakailanman," which airs this Saturday, January 26.

Barely a few years ago, in the midst of the sex video controversy the actress was involved in, the public saw a devastated Katrina Halili.  But now, a mother of a beautiful baby named Katrence (her daughter with boyfriend Kris Lawrence), Katrina has clearly moved on from her past and is ready to embrace new challenges life has in store for her.

"Nadapa ako, bumangon ako, at inayos ko yung buhay ko. Kapag nagkamali ka, hindi mo na kailangan sabihin sa mga tao na mabuti kang tao, kailangan mo lang itama ang pagkakamali mo at ayusin ang buhay mo," said Katrina.

Katrina hopes that by telling her story through the episode, she would inspire other women who may be going through very tough times to rise and move on with their lives.

"Gusto kong maisip nila na kapag may pinagdaraanan sila sa buhay e maikumpara nila sa bigat ng pinagdaanan ko. Yung tipong sasabihin nila na, 'Kaya ko 'to, si Katrina nga mas matindi pa yung pinagdaanan niya and yet kinaya niya, ako pa kaya?'," she explained.

Katrina and Kris will be starring as themselves in the said episode entitled "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story."  Also starring are Anita Linda, who portrays as Katrina's dear grandmother; Allan Paule and Timi Cruz (as Katrina's parents) and Marky Lopez (as Katrina's assistant and confidant).  Katrina and Kris' daughter Katrence will also have a cameo appearance (as herself) in the latter part of the episode.

Don't miss "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story" on "Magpakailanman" airing this Saturday, January 26, after "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

What Convinced Katrina Halili to Allow "Magpakailanman" to Feature her Story?!

 

Katrina Halili rose from being a Starstruck aspirant to being a TV goddess whose beauty and gorgeous body graced the covers of glossy magazines, tickling the fantasies of men and becoming the subject of envy among many women.  But as she reached the peak of her career, one scandal knocked her down to a ground deeper than where she had started.

A year later, she tried to make a comeback in showbiz but it was cut short when she announced that she was pregnant with Kris' baby.

Now, with a bouncing baby girl to inspire her and a supportive boyfriend to back her up, Katrina is back on track and is determined to make her story a source of inspiration.

"Actually ang hirap nga. Noong una pumayag ako kasi para sa akin okay lang na gawin nila yung life story ko kasi alam ko na merong matututunan ang mga tao sa mga nangyari sa akin, pero ang sabi ko huwag lang ako ang gaganap bilang sarili ko," shared Katrina.

Katrina had a valid reason for initially declining to portray herself in the episode.

"Tingin ko kasi magkakaroon na naman ng issue at ayaw ko na ng gulo, ayaw ko na ng may issue kasi nananahimik na ako diba? Pero ininsist nila sa akin na ako na lang tapos nung nabasa ko na yung script okay naman pala siya, hindi siya yung tipong pagmumulan pa ng panibagong issue at hindi naka-focus din dun sa dating issue," she explained.

Since the sex video scandal she was involved in was a major pivot point in her life's story, including it in the episode is inevitable.  Katrina, however, clarified that the episode will not dwell so much on that incident.

"Parang dinaanan lang.  Kasi kung hindi mo dadaanan, parang magkakaroon ng question sa utak ng mga manonood na parang, 'So ano ang nangyari?' So dinaanan lang," the actress said.

The "wounds" caused by the incident may not have completely healed yet and dramatising the scandal on TV could stir another round of discussion about the almost forgotten issue.  But Katrina is not deterred.  Instead, she is determined to make her life story a testament that every one deserves a second chance.

"Kaya rin talagang gusto ko siyang ilabas ay para ipakita sa mga tao na yung mga problema ay kayang daanan lahat 'yan, at lahat tayo -- kahit sino ka man -- ay binibigyan ng problema pero iba-iba lang. Kahit ano pa man 'yan, kayang lagpasan 'yan at makakabangon tayo," she said.

"Gusto kong ipakita sa kanila na eto ako, OK pa ako ngayon, nakakaharap ako sa tao kahit alam kong hindi naging maganda ang past ko.  Hindi ko ipinagmamalaki yung past ko pero tao lang ako, nagkakamali din ako pero at least sinusubukan kong mag-improve ako," she added.

Watch "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story" this Saturday (January 26) in "Magpakailanman" after "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

Katrina Halili Bares her Life Story in 'Magpakailanman!'

Controversial actress Katrina Halili may have been knocked down by the toughest of life's tribulations -- much worse than any situation a woman her age could possibly be in -- but she managed to get back on her feet.  Today, she has moved beyond the hauntings of her sex video scandal and is determined to regain everything she had lost: career, dignity and her personal sense of purpose.

For the very first time, Katrina, will bare her life's story this Saturday in a very special episode of GMA's drama anthology program, "Magpakailanman," hosted by veteran journalist Mel Tiangco.

What's more interesting is that Katrina and her boyfriend Kris Lawrence will be portraying themselves in the said episode.  Also starring is their baby girl Katrence who will appear in the latter part of the story.

Although the episode will inevitably touch on the very sensitive sex video issue, it won't dwell on that.  Katrina's relationship with her family -- especially with her grandmother -- and her romance with Kris is expected to take a bigger chunk of the episode.

Also starring are Anita Linda, who portrays Katrina's grandmother who passed away during the times when Katrina was in the midst of the controversy, Allan Paule and Timi Cruz (as Katrina's parents) and Marky Lopez (as Katrina's assistant).

The episode is directed by Gina Alajar, who also helmed the previous week's episode starring Joyce Ching and Ehra Madrigal.  The said episode entitled "Pakawalang Anghel" won in nationwide TV ratings against ABS-CBN's "Maaalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)" based on Nielsen's overnight household ratings data.  "Magpakailanman" scored an average or 23% while "MMK" only garnered 19.1%.  "Magpakailanman's" lead was even wider in Urban Luzon where it scored 25.8% against MMK's 16%.

Don't miss "Ligaw na Diyosa: The Katrina Halili Story" this Saturday (January 26) in "Magpakailanman" after "Kap's Amazing Stories" on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

Battle of the Drama Anthologies: GMA's 'Magpakailanman' Beats ABS-CBN's 'MMK!'

Last Saturday (Jan 19), GMA Network’s award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman, hosted by multi-awarded TV personality Mel Tiangco, dominated its timeslot with high TV ratings as it featured the real life story of Michelle Perez, a drug addict who turned her life around. This episode was directed by Gina Alajar and written by Aloy Adlawan.

The episode entitled “Pakawalang Anghel: The Michelle Perez Story” portrayed by Joyce Ching as the young Michelle and Ehra Madrigal as the old Michelle was undoubtedly preferred by more viewers, according to data from the industry’s widely trusted ratings service provider Nielsen TV Audience Measurement. 

Based on overnight household ratings data recorded in National Urban Phils for January 19, 2013, Magpakailanman scored an average household rating of 23 percent versus ABS-CBN’s Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) with 19.1 percent. In Urban Luzon, it scored 25.8 percent compared to MMK’s 16 percent while in Mega Manila, Magpakailanman posted an even bigger margin with 26.7 percent against MMK’s 14.5 percent.

Don’t miss this Saturday’s episode as Magpakailanman features the real life story of Kapuso actress Katrina Halili only on GMA 7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

Sunshine Dizon Returns in Showbiz Playing 'Lucy Aroma' in 'Magpakailanman!'

This Saturday, GMA's reality-based drama anthology program "Magpakailanman" hosted by Ms. Mel Tiangco will feature another heartwarming true-life story -- that of Lucy Aroma, the woman who decided to end her life by jumping on to the track of an approaching train in an LRT station in 2012.

Versatile kapuso actress Sunshine Dizon will breath life to Lucy's story, which is a poignant tale of a woman who was pushed beyond her limits by fate's unforgiving hands.  However, the episode will not only deal with Lucy's tribulations which could have led her to commit suicide but also with the lessons that her family -- especially her siblings -- has learned from the incident.

Lucy was a loving sister.  Being the breadwinner of her family, she took upon herself the responsibility to provide for the needs of her siblings.  In fact, she gave up the chance of having her own family for their sake.  And even when she was diagnosed with cancer, she set aside her meager earnings -- which she could have used to treat her ailment -- for her family's needs.  One day, she probably thought that she could not take it any longer.  She did something not one of her siblings and close friends thought she was capable of doing: suicide.

The episode shows that even if suicide is not uncommon in our society, it is never an answer to anyone's problems.  We, human beings, are designed to be resilient and should be able to overcome even the hardest trials in life.

Don't miss this episode of "Magpakailanman" this Saturday, January 12, after "Kaps Amazing Stories" on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

Derrick Monasterio and Jake Vargas Portray the Life Stories of Mr. Pogi 2012 Winners Jaylord Casino and John Edric Ulang in 'Magpakailanman!'

This Saturday, GMA's reality-based drama anthology program hosted by Ms. Mel Tiangco, "Magpakailanman," will feature the lives of Jaylord Casino and John Edric Ulang, winners of Eat Bulaga's "Mr. Pogi" contest.

Just like most aspirants who want to enter show business, Jaylord and John Edric have always dreamed of becoming popular stars one day and they saw showbiz as a way out of poverty.

Although they both reached the same juncture in their journey, they came from very different worlds.

Jaylord was never an achiever in school.  Despite the efforts exerted by his parents to give him a good education, he just couldn't meet their expectations.  He grew up feeling the burden of being his parents' biggest disappointment but he figured that there must be something special about him that could make his parents proud.  One day, a friend approached him and encouraged him to audition for "Mr. Pogi," a competition for male wanna-be TV stars hosted by the longest running noontime show, "Eat Bulaga."

Jaylord was confident that he has got the looks, charm and talent to win the title.  However, his parents are not as optimistic.  Besides, this is not how they have envisioned their son to succeed in life.

Meanwhile, family is not a problem for another Mr. Pogi winner John Edric. From the very beginning he has always shown the makings of a star and his parents, especially his dad, have always been supportive of his plans. Unfortunately, John Edric's ambition of entering show business came to a halt when he unexpectedly impregnated his girlfriend, Michelle.

Consequently, John Edric's focus shifted from pursuing his dream career to providing for his own family.  He thought he would never catch up on his dream until the opportunity to audition for "Mr. Pogi" came one day.  He grabbed the chance and the rest is history, so to speak.

Join veteran journalist Ms. Mel Tiangco as she unravels these two inspiring stories of triumph with Kapuso teen star Derrick Monasterio and Jake Vargas portraying as Jaylord and John Edric this Saturday in "Magpakailanman," airing after Kap's Amazing Stories on GMA-7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)

'Magpakailanman' Returns on Philippine TV This Coming November!

GMA Network brings back the award-winning and high-rating drama anthology Magpakailanman to mesmerize the hearts of the Kapuso viewers once more. It will be hosted by multi-awarded broadcast journalist Ms. Mel Tiangco.
 

Magpakailanman, an original concept and creation of the GMA Entertainment TV Group, initially ran from 2002 to 2007 and has twice been awarded the Best Drama Series category at the Catholic Mass Media Awards. During its five-year run, the program, which was a consistent top-rater, inspired the lives of many Filipinos and promoted good family values to its viewers.
 

Because of the growing clamour to revive the program, the network is happy to announce the return of Magpakailanman with new elements and more in-depth investigation and dramatization of real-life inspired stories.
 

Aside from merely telling and narrating the story, Mel Tiangco will take a more participative role in making each story not only inspiring and uplifting but also informative and interesting. This will be about “the real story behind the story.”
 

Mel Tiangco, a popular and credible news and TV personality, remains to be the ideal host of the well-loved drama anthology. A multi-awarded journalist that delivers investigative and informative news and at the same time a woman with a soft spot and of substance that a lot of people can relate and look up to – a perfect combination for Magpakailanman’s new offering.
 

Find out what these new elements are as Magpakailanman premieres this November only on GMA 7.(www.tvseriescraze.blogspot.com)