Mel Tiangco on Magpakailanman: 'Hindi kami nag-iimbento ng kuwento'

 
GMA's award-winning drama anthology Magpakailanman reaches its landmark 100th episode, incidentally on its anniversary month. To mark this momentous occasion, the team behind Magpakailanman have prepared something very special.

"First time ang Magpakailanman na mashu-shoot sa Japan. Ibig sabihin noon, ang mga istorya na ihahandog namin sa ating mga televiewers, ay naipanganak or nagmula sa Japan mismo," host and broadcasting icon Mel Tiangco said.

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The setting may be in a foreign soil, but the stories are still 100% Filipino. "Siyempre both [stories are about] Filipinos na nasa Japan, na iba ang kanilang kinahinatnan sa kani-kanilang buhay," she assured.

Tita Mel says one of the stories will be about a Filipina who struggled in Japan as an OFW. "Gumanda ang buhay niya, nagka-anak siya. Pero magkakaroon ng tragedy sa buhay niya while she is in Japan," Tita Mel explained. "Iyon ang aabangan nila, abangan sana ng mga televiewers natin."

What else should be expected in this special episode? "Isa namang lalaki doon, a Filipino who went there, nagpa-sex change. Pero magkakaroon din ng isang napakabigat na kautusan sa kanya ng kanyang ama na magbubunsod para palitan niya 'yung kanyang kasarian," she said.

Tita Mel can't help but be proud of what Magpakailanman has accomplished for this episode. "Abangan ninyo 'yang mga istoryang iyan, straight from Japan. And, yes, ako ang pumunta doon para alamin talaga ang kuwento nito. Iyan ang ihahandog namin sa aming anniversary episode," she said with a smile.

Aside from the great performances of the actors, she credits one more thing for the show's longevity.

"Pinagsisikapan namin nang mabuti to adhere doon sa katotohanan. Kaya pinagsisikapan talaga, na yung subject ay talagang pinapakita namin para mapatunayan namin na totoo 'yung kuwento niya," according to Tita Mel. "Hindi kami nag-iimbento ng kuwento. Talagang sinasabi namin, totoong buhay itong kuwentong kanilang pinapanood," she added.

Catch the special anniversary episode of Magpakailanman tomorrow, November 29, after Pepito Manaloto and before Marian. - Marah Ruiz, GMANetwork.com