Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin
Encyclopedia
Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin (lit. I Will Only Love You Once) is a critically acclaimed Philippine family
military
drama
series that aired on ABS CBN. It features an ensemble cast
, including award-winning actor, Coco Martin
.
) was born into a family affiliated with the army
, his father, Col. Joaquin Del Tierro (John Estrada
) is a respected military officer and his grandfather, Gen. Jaime Sebastiano (Ronaldo Valdez
) is one of the feared generals in the Philippines
but doesn't have a close relationship with his mother, Alondra (Lorna Tolentino
) blaming him for the death of her youngest son, Jaime Del Tierro, Jr. (Bugoy Cariño
) which led Alexander to join the military otherwise after continuously refusing to do so. His best friend, Gabrielle (Andi Eigenmann
) has been by his side in the most important times of his life and has developed feelings for him since they were about 10 years old. Gabrielle is raised by her grandfather, Gen. Edgardo Marcelo (Dante Rivero
) after her parents died in the lines of duty. Unfortunately Alexander doesn't feel the same way for her but one of their military friends, Norberto Matias (Martin del Rosario
) does.
Alondra was brought up by Teresa Valderosa (Angel Aquino), Gen. Jaime's mistress. Her mother died after being hit by a car forcing Jaime to bring her into his family. It is there that she met Joaquin, her half-sister Lora's (Amy Austria-Ventura) boyfriend and developed feelings for him. Alondra have always envied and hated her sister wanting everything that she owns and has namely Joaquin and their father's affection. Lora's mother Remedios (Boots Anson-Roa
) comes from a long line of rebels
but was forced to leave the mountains when she fell in love with Jaime, she finds herself trapped in an unhappy marriage. After finding out about Jaime's mistress, she headed back to the mountains and waited for her daughter. In a later accident, Alondra tells a taxi driver to run over her sister. Lora is immediately sent to a private doctor. Alondra's best friend Mimi (Candy Pangilinan
) and Mimi's cousin Tomas (Tonton Gutierrez
) agrees that they would help her and it is there that they discovered about Lora's pregnancy. Jaime lies to Joaquin after hearing the news of Lora's disappearance and tells him that she has been found dead, thinking that she has decided to follow her mother to the mountains instead. Alondra leaves the country but goes back in time for Lora's labour. Lora gives birth to twin brothers but the doctors inform them that the other has passed away. Alondra takes the other baby, Alexander and brings him to Joaquin, supposedly theirs forcing him to marry her. Tomas had her wife and child pass away before he met Lora and has developed feelings for her. After finding out that the twin who died was breathing, he takes it as a message from God
to start a new life. Lora wakes up from her coma after a year not knowing that she has given birth and finds out that Joaquin has been married with her sister. It is there that she decided to follow her mother, Remedios now named Elena to the mountains with Tomas with his new name Bernabe and herself as Rosa taking Javier with them, the baby that Tomas allegedly found in a burning apartment.
Javier (Coco Martin
) was raised up by his surrogate mother Rosa and his adoptive father Bernabe and Elena. Javier is aware that they're not his birth parents and longs to find his true family and live a normal life. His former girlfriend, Krista (Maja Salvador
) is still in love with him and has two missions in life: to fulfill the romance between them and to avenge her parents death. Krista was raised up as an orphan by the rebels along with her brother Tiago (Lloyd Zaragoza
). She witnessed her parents death and remembers the soldier that killed them, Edgardo. When she was a kid, she was saved from the hands of the militars by Alexander and fell in love with him and when she met Javier, she thought that it was him that helped her.
In an encounter between the soldiers and the rebels, Alexander and Javier met and since then they tried to learn about each other's lives and family. The two brothers often switch lives and both fell in love with their female counterparts, Javier with Gabrielle and Alexander with Krista. The people surrounding them start to suspect that something is going on that neither of them knows. Alondra follows Alexander and it is their that she finds out that Alexander has a twin brother. She develops a strong relationship with Javier that Alexander never felt, Alondra often sees Javier as Jaime Jr. Wanting to find out who raised Javier, she follows him on his way back to the mountains and is surprised to see Lora.
The soldiers capture Diego (Ronnie Lazaro
), Tiago and Ibon (Jojit Lorenzo) in a later attack. Edgardo is forced to tell the truth to Joaquin concerning Lora and Remedios' alleged death and disappearance after facing the two in an encounter. The truth between the twin brothers are revealed after Gabrielle, Alexander, Krista and Javier meet face to face. Rosa, Elena and Bernabe witness the capture of Javier and Krista. Elena surrenders for Javier but Rosa manages to escape. The four later decide to take on amnesty
including Bernabe who was captured weeks after, reusing their birth names. Kaye realises that Alexander was the one that saved her from the militars when they were kids and immediately falls in love with him but Gabrielle refuses to feel the same way for Javier, despite having the same appearance, Gabrielle is convinced that Javier doesn't have the qualities that made her fall in love with Alexander. Mimi suspects that Alondra is responsible behind Lora's sudden disappearance. After months Lora comes back revealing the truth behind her absence, the fact that she was in prison after being framed by Tomas with drugs to keep her away from Joaquin. She comes back to Manila
and visits the military camp in hope to see Joaquin but sees Alondra instead and is captured by the militars. Lora decides to take on amnesty to be with her family especially her mother. Joaquin draws closure to her after years of not seeing each other and finds out the truth of why she never came back. She is set free along with Diego, Tiago and Ibon who decided to take on amnesty to take their revenge to the people that betrayed them namely Javier.
Javier experiences a hard time adjusting to a normal life and develops hatred and jealousy towards his brother, having Gabrielle's affection and a stable relationship with Krista. He gets involved in a carnapping business but later chose to betray his friends, Inigo (Franco Daza), Rico (Dino Imperial
) and Bunch (Michael Roy Jornales) to avoid being sent to prison. Alexander meanwhile proposes to Kaye and Joaquin is more than happy for his son and arranged for the parental marriage proposal
. It is there that Diego, Tiago and Ibon took their revenge. Unfortunately, Remedios gets shot and is rushed to the hospital which caused her to suffer subdural hematoma
and eventually dies. Her death caused Lora and Jaime to re-build a strong relationship back to what it was before Alondra came into their lives, making her sister more jealous than before.
Javier is framed of drug possession and unlicensed armoury and is sent to prison but escapes. He is seen roaming around a street near their house and Alexander is immediately ordered to run after him. Alexander surrounds his brother alone with no way out. Javier smacks Alexander making his brother fall out of conscious and asks Alondra for help who suggested locking up Alexander and impersonate Alexander. Javier locks his brother in a cage and breaks up with Krista to pursue his love for Gabrielle giving her suspicion that he isn't the same person. Gabrielle follows him on his visit to Alexander with Alondra and Mimi and is convinced that foul play has been involved. Mimi sees Gabrielle and, with confusion and desperation, hits her with an ax lying on the ground and falls into a ditch and loses consciousness. Gabrielle later wakes up and finally finds Alexander in the cage and dies painfully in front of her best friend and true love.
Alexander successfully escapes and captures Javier and ties him up. He is determined to find out who murdered his best friend and discovers that Alondra has been helping him. He fixes things up with Krista and tells her that Javier has been impersonating him explaining his recent actions. Meanwhile Mimi runs away before the military find out about the murder. Alondra is frightened that she and Tomas would reveal the truth and so frames Tomas of killing Gabrielle by placing his watch besides Gabrielle's body bringing Tomas' life in danger. Lora finds out that Tomas has been lying to her all these years about her scar and that she has given birth and demands him for her sons but he refuses to answer. Alondra discovers that Alexander has escaped and hides Javier elsewhere and informs him about Gabrielle's death but refuses to believe so, Javier sneaks in to Gabrielle's funeral to prove it for himself. The military spotted Javier but they also saw Tomas who, after being beaten by Javier, managed to escape after a close call. The truth slowly unravels as Alexander reports to the headquarters of his suspicion that Alondra is helping Javier escape. Berto meanwhile finds out that Mimi is Tomas' cousin bringing to conclusion that Alondra might've taken Alexander from Lora, this is later proven after taking a DNA test, that Alexander and Javier are in fact Lora and Joaquin's sons. The only thing Lora wishes for is Javier, to fulfill her dream of having a complete family. Tomas is later found after threatening to kill Alondra. Alondra comes back home and finds out that they have discovered the truth and so Joaquin leaves her for good and files for annulment
, meanwhile Lora visits Tomas and tells her that she would be leaving him considering that they're not legally married and would be erasing him from her mind. Not knowing that Lora is his real mother, Javier promises to protect Alondra bringing Alexander and Lora's life in danger with Alondra's plan to kill them for revenge. Tiago is put to prison and Diego and Ibon are wanted
after Krista and Alexander overhears their plan of murdering Javier. Mimi returns with the help of Adele and sacrifices herself and admits that she is responsible for the death of Gabrielle.
Alondra kidnaps Lora and holds her in captive at the same building where they kept Alexander then, bringing her life in danger but later escapes with another reverse of events. Tomas breaks out of prison to prevent Alondra from harming her, Diego and Ibon later captures him and he tips them to go the same village where Alondra has kept Lora. In a rather puzzling encounter, Javier goes to the warehouse, without knowing that it is Alondra in uniform, Javier shoots her and is confused after seeing Alexander. Alondra treats her wound and finds a gun and plans to shoot her sister. Tomas meanwhile sacrifices himself for Lora as she is held at gunpoint by the rebels, Tomas gets shot and begs Lora for forgiveness before dying in her arms. The brothers eventually face off in a final showdown as Alexander tries to convince Javier to sacrifice himself, Lora and Joaquin gets hold of him and reveals the truth of their relation and finally decides to surrender and reconciles with his family including his best friend Krista, he is proven not guilty of the crime he was framed up for and wasn't sent to jail. Alondra meanwhile falls in the hands of the rebels who uses her to get hold of Javier and Lora. She is surprised to hear that they would help her despite all her wrongdoings and she asks for forgiveness from her family and lastly God as the military forces fail to stop the bombs planted around her. Jaime Jr. visits her spiritually and tells her to come home with him to heaven
as the bomb explodes. The series ends a year after with Lora and Joaquin and Alexander and Krista celebrating a double wedding. Gen. Jaime is now retired and has passed on his seat to Edgardo as Vice Chief of Staff and Alexander and Krista are happy parents of twin brothers. The final scene shows Joaquin, Lora, Alexander, Krista, and Javier with the babies fulfilling the dream of a complete family.
. The show was to replace Noah
but since the show was child-oriented, Mutya seemed like a better fit and was chosen to replace it. Finally, the show was given an air date, on March 7.
. This was to give way to the premiere of the show Guns and Roses. Despite a later airing, the show still dominated its timeslot. However, compared to the average of 30 million viewers the show had on its original timeslot, the ratings dropped, garnering only an average of 25 million viewers after the show's time change. On its last three weeks of airing, the series regained its original audience.
, during the third quarter of the year.
for promoting a positive image of the Philippine military. Minsan has been one of the two shows to be praised by the AFP after the 2009 series Tayong Dalawa
. The three leading actors, Martin, Eigenmann and del Rosario went in training for the production of the series as they are in the field for the series more often than the seniors and were trained by actual soldiers so that they could portray their characters and movements perfectly. Bgen. Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, AFP Spokesperson Commander, CRSAFP even praised the series and even recommended "that everyone watches this show", Ltc. Americo Fabrigar (GSC) PAF, Commander Information Development Group, CRSAFP also shared his opinion and said "they did very good. Maganda rin ang concept. [The concept is good.]"
followed by their second stop in CSI The City Mall, Dagupan
on 16 July. The crew stopped in Robinsons Place Pampanga
before Metro East on 7 June. Martin and Salvador later toured in Robinsons Place, Lipa on 24 July with special guests. They then visited the Pacific Mall Metro Mandaue Cebu on July 30. Final Mall Tour Plug www.minsan.abs-cbn.com On the following day they stopped by in Robinsons Santa Rosa Market with their final tour being held in SM City North EDSA
on August 14 featuring all the main and supporting cast in the SM Skydome.
lead by its title theme song sung by Gary Valenciano
. The digital album was officially on sale during the Pambansang Pasasalamat Tour for only ₱99 pesos.
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
military
Military
A military is an organization authorized by its greater society to use lethal force, usually including use of weapons, in defending its country by combating actual or perceived threats. The military may have additional functions of use to its greater society, such as advancing a political agenda e.g...
drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
series that aired on ABS CBN. It features an ensemble cast
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
, including award-winning actor, Coco Martin
Coco Martin
Rodel Luis Nacianceno , better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films, and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films...
.
Plot
Alexander Del Tierro (Coco MartinCoco Martin
Rodel Luis Nacianceno , better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films, and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films...
) was born into a family affiliated with the army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
, his father, Col. Joaquin Del Tierro (John Estrada
John Estrada
John Estrada is a Filipino movie and TV actor, starred in a number of roles as a leading man, comedian and villain.He is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actors.-Life and career:...
) is a respected military officer and his grandfather, Gen. Jaime Sebastiano (Ronaldo Valdez
Ronaldo Valdez
Ronaldo Valdez is a Filipino movie and television actor. Born Ronald James Gibbs in Manila, Philippines, he is the father of actor-singer Janno Gibbs.-Television:* "Glamorosa - Manolo...
) is one of the feared generals in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
but doesn't have a close relationship with his mother, Alondra (Lorna Tolentino
Lorna Tolentino
Victoria Lorna Aluquin-Fernandez, better known as Lorna Tolentino , is a Filipina actress, host, executive producer and widow of actor Rudy Fernandez. Together, they bore two sons named Ralph and Renz.She was born on December 23, 1961 in Concepcion, Tarlac and later moved to Manila...
) blaming him for the death of her youngest son, Jaime Del Tierro, Jr. (Bugoy Cariño
Bugoy Carino
Bugoy Cariño is Filipino child actor. He joined Star Circle Kid Quest: Search for the Next Kiddie Idol in 2009 and placed in first place. He is set to star on his own televesion series titled E-Boy....
) which led Alexander to join the military otherwise after continuously refusing to do so. His best friend, Gabrielle (Andi Eigenmann
Andi Eigenmann
Andrea Nicole Guck Eigenmann, popularly known as Andi Eigenmann, is a Filipina actress and model. Eigenmann is currently a contract artist under ABS-CBN's Star Magic.-Biography:Eigenmann is of Kapampangan, American, German, and Spanish descent...
) has been by his side in the most important times of his life and has developed feelings for him since they were about 10 years old. Gabrielle is raised by her grandfather, Gen. Edgardo Marcelo (Dante Rivero
Dante Rivero
Dante Rivero is a FAMAS award-winning and Gawad Urian Award-nominated Filipino film and television actor.-Television :-Movies:*2002 Bro.....
) after her parents died in the lines of duty. Unfortunately Alexander doesn't feel the same way for her but one of their military friends, Norberto Matias (Martin del Rosario
Martin del Rosario
-Biography:Martin del Rosario met Jun Reyes, his manager, on his way to Lourdes School of Quezon City—his highschool alma mater—in the summer of 2007. His manager, who was in the area at that time to buy lechon for Gerald Anderson's birthday, came to him and asked if he wanted to be an actor. He...
) does.
Alondra was brought up by Teresa Valderosa (Angel Aquino), Gen. Jaime's mistress. Her mother died after being hit by a car forcing Jaime to bring her into his family. It is there that she met Joaquin, her half-sister Lora's (Amy Austria-Ventura) boyfriend and developed feelings for him. Alondra have always envied and hated her sister wanting everything that she owns and has namely Joaquin and their father's affection. Lora's mother Remedios (Boots Anson-Roa
Boots Anson-Roa
Maria Elisa Cristobal-Anson or Boots Anson-Roa is an award-winning actress, columnist, editor, and lecturer.-Early life:She was born on January 30, 1945...
) comes from a long line of rebels
New People's Army
The New People's Army is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines. It was formed on March 29, 1969. The Maoist NPA conducts its armed guerrilla struggle based on the strategical line of 'protracted people's war'.The NPA exacts so called "revolutionary taxes" from business owners...
but was forced to leave the mountains when she fell in love with Jaime, she finds herself trapped in an unhappy marriage. After finding out about Jaime's mistress, she headed back to the mountains and waited for her daughter. In a later accident, Alondra tells a taxi driver to run over her sister. Lora is immediately sent to a private doctor. Alondra's best friend Mimi (Candy Pangilinan
Candy Pangilinan
Candy Pangilinan is a Filipino film and television actress and comedian. She was widely criticised in 2009 after she insulted the Igorot people during a performance.-Television:*2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin ... Mimi Estrella...
) and Mimi's cousin Tomas (Tonton Gutierrez
Tonton Gutierrez
Tonton Gutierrez is a Filipino film actor.-Early life:Tonton Gutierrez was born to Eddie Gutierrez and his first wife, actress Liza Lorena. He is the half-brother of Ramon Christopher, with second wife and actress Pilita Corrales...
) agrees that they would help her and it is there that they discovered about Lora's pregnancy. Jaime lies to Joaquin after hearing the news of Lora's disappearance and tells him that she has been found dead, thinking that she has decided to follow her mother to the mountains instead. Alondra leaves the country but goes back in time for Lora's labour. Lora gives birth to twin brothers but the doctors inform them that the other has passed away. Alondra takes the other baby, Alexander and brings him to Joaquin, supposedly theirs forcing him to marry her. Tomas had her wife and child pass away before he met Lora and has developed feelings for her. After finding out that the twin who died was breathing, he takes it as a message from God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
to start a new life. Lora wakes up from her coma after a year not knowing that she has given birth and finds out that Joaquin has been married with her sister. It is there that she decided to follow her mother, Remedios now named Elena to the mountains with Tomas with his new name Bernabe and herself as Rosa taking Javier with them, the baby that Tomas allegedly found in a burning apartment.
Javier (Coco Martin
Coco Martin
Rodel Luis Nacianceno , better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films, and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films...
) was raised up by his surrogate mother Rosa and his adoptive father Bernabe and Elena. Javier is aware that they're not his birth parents and longs to find his true family and live a normal life. His former girlfriend, Krista (Maja Salvador
Maja Salvador
Maja Ross Andres Salvador is one of the latest in line of the showbiz clan of the Salvador family. She is currently under the management of ABS-CBN, and a membser of Star Magic.-Early life:...
) is still in love with him and has two missions in life: to fulfill the romance between them and to avenge her parents death. Krista was raised up as an orphan by the rebels along with her brother Tiago (Lloyd Zaragoza
Lloyd Zaragoza
- Filmography :-References:...
). She witnessed her parents death and remembers the soldier that killed them, Edgardo. When she was a kid, she was saved from the hands of the militars by Alexander and fell in love with him and when she met Javier, she thought that it was him that helped her.
In an encounter between the soldiers and the rebels, Alexander and Javier met and since then they tried to learn about each other's lives and family. The two brothers often switch lives and both fell in love with their female counterparts, Javier with Gabrielle and Alexander with Krista. The people surrounding them start to suspect that something is going on that neither of them knows. Alondra follows Alexander and it is their that she finds out that Alexander has a twin brother. She develops a strong relationship with Javier that Alexander never felt, Alondra often sees Javier as Jaime Jr. Wanting to find out who raised Javier, she follows him on his way back to the mountains and is surprised to see Lora.
The soldiers capture Diego (Ronnie Lazaro
Ronnie Lazaro
Ronnie Lazaro is a Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actor, producer and casting and art director.-Television:* 2011 Wansapanataym: Darmo Adarna ... Darako * 2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya ... Papa...
), Tiago and Ibon (Jojit Lorenzo) in a later attack. Edgardo is forced to tell the truth to Joaquin concerning Lora and Remedios' alleged death and disappearance after facing the two in an encounter. The truth between the twin brothers are revealed after Gabrielle, Alexander, Krista and Javier meet face to face. Rosa, Elena and Bernabe witness the capture of Javier and Krista. Elena surrenders for Javier but Rosa manages to escape. The four later decide to take on amnesty
Amnesty
Amnesty is a legislative or executive act by which a state restores those who may have been guilty of an offense against it to the positions of innocent people, without changing the laws defining the offense. It includes more than pardon, in as much as it obliterates all legal remembrance of the...
including Bernabe who was captured weeks after, reusing their birth names. Kaye realises that Alexander was the one that saved her from the militars when they were kids and immediately falls in love with him but Gabrielle refuses to feel the same way for Javier, despite having the same appearance, Gabrielle is convinced that Javier doesn't have the qualities that made her fall in love with Alexander. Mimi suspects that Alondra is responsible behind Lora's sudden disappearance. After months Lora comes back revealing the truth behind her absence, the fact that she was in prison after being framed by Tomas with drugs to keep her away from Joaquin. She comes back to Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and visits the military camp in hope to see Joaquin but sees Alondra instead and is captured by the militars. Lora decides to take on amnesty to be with her family especially her mother. Joaquin draws closure to her after years of not seeing each other and finds out the truth of why she never came back. She is set free along with Diego, Tiago and Ibon who decided to take on amnesty to take their revenge to the people that betrayed them namely Javier.
Javier experiences a hard time adjusting to a normal life and develops hatred and jealousy towards his brother, having Gabrielle's affection and a stable relationship with Krista. He gets involved in a carnapping business but later chose to betray his friends, Inigo (Franco Daza), Rico (Dino Imperial
Dino Imperial
Dino Imperial Dino Imperial Dino Imperial (born (Dino Ricardo Kilates on April 9, 1988) is a Filipino actor and commercial model. He is a member of ABS CBN's circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic, ABS-CBN's Talent Management & Development Center and stars in Star Magic Presents: Abt Ur...
) and Bunch (Michael Roy Jornales) to avoid being sent to prison. Alexander meanwhile proposes to Kaye and Joaquin is more than happy for his son and arranged for the parental marriage proposal
Marriage and wedding customs in the Philippines
Traditional marriage customs in the Philippines and Filipino wedding practices pertain to the characteristics of marriage and wedding traditions established and adhered to by Filipino men and women in the Philippines after a period of courtship and engagement. These traditions extend to other...
. It is there that Diego, Tiago and Ibon took their revenge. Unfortunately, Remedios gets shot and is rushed to the hospital which caused her to suffer subdural hematoma
Subdural hematoma
A subdural hematoma or subdural haematoma , also known as a subdural haemorrhage , is a type of haematoma, a form of traumatic brain injury. Blood gathers within the outermost meningeal layer, between the dura mater, which adheres to the skull, and the arachnoid mater, which envelops the brain...
and eventually dies. Her death caused Lora and Jaime to re-build a strong relationship back to what it was before Alondra came into their lives, making her sister more jealous than before.
Javier is framed of drug possession and unlicensed armoury and is sent to prison but escapes. He is seen roaming around a street near their house and Alexander is immediately ordered to run after him. Alexander surrounds his brother alone with no way out. Javier smacks Alexander making his brother fall out of conscious and asks Alondra for help who suggested locking up Alexander and impersonate Alexander. Javier locks his brother in a cage and breaks up with Krista to pursue his love for Gabrielle giving her suspicion that he isn't the same person. Gabrielle follows him on his visit to Alexander with Alondra and Mimi and is convinced that foul play has been involved. Mimi sees Gabrielle and, with confusion and desperation, hits her with an ax lying on the ground and falls into a ditch and loses consciousness. Gabrielle later wakes up and finally finds Alexander in the cage and dies painfully in front of her best friend and true love.
Alexander successfully escapes and captures Javier and ties him up. He is determined to find out who murdered his best friend and discovers that Alondra has been helping him. He fixes things up with Krista and tells her that Javier has been impersonating him explaining his recent actions. Meanwhile Mimi runs away before the military find out about the murder. Alondra is frightened that she and Tomas would reveal the truth and so frames Tomas of killing Gabrielle by placing his watch besides Gabrielle's body bringing Tomas' life in danger. Lora finds out that Tomas has been lying to her all these years about her scar and that she has given birth and demands him for her sons but he refuses to answer. Alondra discovers that Alexander has escaped and hides Javier elsewhere and informs him about Gabrielle's death but refuses to believe so, Javier sneaks in to Gabrielle's funeral to prove it for himself. The military spotted Javier but they also saw Tomas who, after being beaten by Javier, managed to escape after a close call. The truth slowly unravels as Alexander reports to the headquarters of his suspicion that Alondra is helping Javier escape. Berto meanwhile finds out that Mimi is Tomas' cousin bringing to conclusion that Alondra might've taken Alexander from Lora, this is later proven after taking a DNA test, that Alexander and Javier are in fact Lora and Joaquin's sons. The only thing Lora wishes for is Javier, to fulfill her dream of having a complete family. Tomas is later found after threatening to kill Alondra. Alondra comes back home and finds out that they have discovered the truth and so Joaquin leaves her for good and files for annulment
Annulment
Annulment is a legal procedure for declaring a marriage null and void. Unlike divorce, it is usually retroactive, meaning that an annulled marriage is considered to be invalid from the beginning almost as if it had never taken place...
, meanwhile Lora visits Tomas and tells her that she would be leaving him considering that they're not legally married and would be erasing him from her mind. Not knowing that Lora is his real mother, Javier promises to protect Alondra bringing Alexander and Lora's life in danger with Alondra's plan to kill them for revenge. Tiago is put to prison and Diego and Ibon are wanted
Fugitive
A fugitive is a person who is fleeing from custody, whether it be from private slavery, a government arrest, government or non-government questioning, vigilante violence, or outraged private individuals...
after Krista and Alexander overhears their plan of murdering Javier. Mimi returns with the help of Adele and sacrifices herself and admits that she is responsible for the death of Gabrielle.
Alondra kidnaps Lora and holds her in captive at the same building where they kept Alexander then, bringing her life in danger but later escapes with another reverse of events. Tomas breaks out of prison to prevent Alondra from harming her, Diego and Ibon later captures him and he tips them to go the same village where Alondra has kept Lora. In a rather puzzling encounter, Javier goes to the warehouse, without knowing that it is Alondra in uniform, Javier shoots her and is confused after seeing Alexander. Alondra treats her wound and finds a gun and plans to shoot her sister. Tomas meanwhile sacrifices himself for Lora as she is held at gunpoint by the rebels, Tomas gets shot and begs Lora for forgiveness before dying in her arms. The brothers eventually face off in a final showdown as Alexander tries to convince Javier to sacrifice himself, Lora and Joaquin gets hold of him and reveals the truth of their relation and finally decides to surrender and reconciles with his family including his best friend Krista, he is proven not guilty of the crime he was framed up for and wasn't sent to jail. Alondra meanwhile falls in the hands of the rebels who uses her to get hold of Javier and Lora. She is surprised to hear that they would help her despite all her wrongdoings and she asks for forgiveness from her family and lastly God as the military forces fail to stop the bombs planted around her. Jaime Jr. visits her spiritually and tells her to come home with him to heaven
Heaven
Heaven, the Heavens or Seven Heavens, is a common religious cosmological or metaphysical term for the physical or transcendent place from which heavenly beings originate, are enthroned or inhabit...
as the bomb explodes. The series ends a year after with Lora and Joaquin and Alexander and Krista celebrating a double wedding. Gen. Jaime is now retired and has passed on his seat to Edgardo as Vice Chief of Staff and Alexander and Krista are happy parents of twin brothers. The final scene shows Joaquin, Lora, Alexander, Krista, and Javier with the babies fulfilling the dream of a complete family.
Main Cast
- Coco MartinCoco MartinRodel Luis Nacianceno , better known by his stage name, Coco Martin, is a critically acclaimed Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino actor. He became famous for starring in many independent films, and was dubbed the Prince of Philippine Independent Films...
as Alexander Del Tierro / Javier Del Tierro - Maja SalvadorMaja SalvadorMaja Ross Andres Salvador is one of the latest in line of the showbiz clan of the Salvador family. She is currently under the management of ABS-CBN, and a membser of Star Magic.-Early life:...
as Kaye Villanueva - Andi EigenmannAndi EigenmannAndrea Nicole Guck Eigenmann, popularly known as Andi Eigenmann, is a Filipina actress and model. Eigenmann is currently a contract artist under ABS-CBN's Star Magic.-Biography:Eigenmann is of Kapampangan, American, German, and Spanish descent...
as Gabrielle Marcelo - Martin del RosarioMartin del Rosario-Biography:Martin del Rosario met Jun Reyes, his manager, on his way to Lourdes School of Quezon City—his highschool alma mater—in the summer of 2007. His manager, who was in the area at that time to buy lechon for Gerald Anderson's birthday, came to him and asked if he wanted to be an actor. He...
as Norberto Matias
Supporting Cast
- Lorna TolentinoLorna TolentinoVictoria Lorna Aluquin-Fernandez, better known as Lorna Tolentino , is a Filipina actress, host, executive producer and widow of actor Rudy Fernandez. Together, they bore two sons named Ralph and Renz.She was born on December 23, 1961 in Concepcion, Tarlac and later moved to Manila...
as Alondra Del Tierro - John EstradaJohn EstradaJohn Estrada is a Filipino movie and TV actor, starred in a number of roles as a leading man, comedian and villain.He is currently part of ABS-CBN contract actors.-Life and career:...
as Joaquin Del Tierro - Amy Austria-Ventura as Lora Sebastiano
- Tonton GutierrezTonton GutierrezTonton Gutierrez is a Filipino film actor.-Early life:Tonton Gutierrez was born to Eddie Gutierrez and his first wife, actress Liza Lorena. He is the half-brother of Ramon Christopher, with second wife and actress Pilita Corrales...
as Tomas Sta. Maria - Boots Anson-RoaBoots Anson-RoaMaria Elisa Cristobal-Anson or Boots Anson-Roa is an award-winning actress, columnist, editor, and lecturer.-Early life:She was born on January 30, 1945...
as Remedios Sebastiano - Ronaldo ValdezRonaldo ValdezRonaldo Valdez is a Filipino movie and television actor. Born Ronald James Gibbs in Manila, Philippines, he is the father of actor-singer Janno Gibbs.-Television:* "Glamorosa - Manolo...
as Jaime Sebastiano - Dante RiveroDante RiveroDante Rivero is a FAMAS award-winning and Gawad Urian Award-nominated Filipino film and television actor.-Television :-Movies:*2002 Bro.....
as Edgardo Marcelo
Extended Cast
- Candy PangilinanCandy PangilinanCandy Pangilinan is a Filipino film and television actress and comedian. She was widely criticised in 2009 after she insulted the Igorot people during a performance.-Television:*2011 Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin ... Mimi Estrella...
as Mimi Estrella - Ronnie LazaroRonnie LazaroRonnie Lazaro is a Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actor, producer and casting and art director.-Television:* 2011 Wansapanataym: Darmo Adarna ... Darako * 2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya ... Papa...
as Diego Pamintuan - Jojit Lorenzo as Ibon Pamintuan
- Lloyd ZaragozaLloyd Zaragoza- Filmography :-References:...
as Tiago Villanueva - Frances Makil-Ignacio as Adele
- John Apacible as Lt. Col. Santiago
Production
Early production for Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin began in November 2010 and premiered on March 7, 2011. It previously had a working title of The General's Family, but later changed to Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin.Postponement
The series was originally set to air on January 28, 2011. However, the show was postponed to give way for MutyaMutya
Mutya is a Philippine fantasy series produced and aired by ABS-CBN that is based on Pablo S. Gomez's comic of the same name. The series introduced the network's newest discovered child actress Mutya Orquia...
. The show was to replace Noah
Noah (TV series)
Noah was a teleserye Philippine action-fantasy series produced by ABS-CBN. The series premiered on July 12, 2010.-Synopsis:Gabriel lost his 2 year old son, Jacob in an accident brought by his job as a police officer. It also placed him in a coma for 5 years...
but since the show was child-oriented, Mutya seemed like a better fit and was chosen to replace it. Finally, the show was given an air date, on March 7.
Timeslot change
The series originally aired at the 8:20-9:00pm timeslot. However, in June 2011, the show was moved to a later timeslot that was previously occupied by Mara ClaraMara Clara
Mara Clara is a Filipino primetime television drama that was boned ABS-CBN which ran from August 17, 1992 to February 14, 1997. It was re-aired on Studio 23 and Kapamilya Channel, both ABS-CBN subsidiaries. It is based on a novel of the same title by Emil Cruz Jr...
. This was to give way to the premiere of the show Guns and Roses. Despite a later airing, the show still dominated its timeslot. However, compared to the average of 30 million viewers the show had on its original timeslot, the ratings dropped, garnering only an average of 25 million viewers after the show's time change. On its last three weeks of airing, the series regained its original audience.
Ratings
The premiere on March 7, 2011 garnered a 38.7% audience share and earned first place, according to the March 7 data released by Kantar Media-TNS survey. The 3-part marathon special, shown during Holy Week, earned the fifth spot with 18.1% share in the ratings on April, 21 Thursday. The following day, the series earned sixth place with 16.4% ratings share. The last day of the marathon rose in the ratings earning second place with 17.8% based on the Kantar Media-TNS National Household Ratings. The series ended strongly, earning first place in the ratings with 39.1% audience share. According to Kantar Media-TNS data, Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin is the most watched program, along with 100 Days to Heaven100 Days to Heaven
100 Days to Heaven is a Philippine inspirational family television series previously airing on ABS-CBN starring Coney Reyes and Xyriel Manabat...
, during the third quarter of the year.
Citation from the Armed Forces
The production team of the series and the actors playing the role of a militar were cited by the Armed Forces of the PhilippinesArmed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
for promoting a positive image of the Philippine military. Minsan has been one of the two shows to be praised by the AFP after the 2009 series Tayong Dalawa
Tayong Dalawa
Tayong Dalawa is a Philippine primetime drama series broadcast on ABS-CBN and worldwide on TFC in 2009. It premiered on April 6, 2010 in Malaysia on Astro Prima followed by August 31, 2010 in Singapore on Channel 5...
. The three leading actors, Martin, Eigenmann and del Rosario went in training for the production of the series as they are in the field for the series more often than the seniors and were trained by actual soldiers so that they could portray their characters and movements perfectly. Bgen. Jose Z. Mabanta Jr, AFP Spokesperson Commander, CRSAFP even praised the series and even recommended "that everyone watches this show", Ltc. Americo Fabrigar (GSC) PAF, Commander Information Development Group, CRSAFP also shared his opinion and said "they did very good. Maganda rin ang concept. [The concept is good.]"
Critical reception
The show received mainly positive reviews. Praising the actors for their perfect portrayal for their roles. Nestor Toree, an acclaimed critic of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said, "With it's well-honoured talents. Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin is the new dramatic show to beat. It's great to see Lorna Tolentino and Amy Austria back in harness again." Isah Red of the Manila Standard said, "This has, in a way, made me watch local soaps again, with the interesting twist in the storyline" but commented on Martin's "slight problem with speech" but is "saved by correct muscular utilization in his face for the proper expression" Red also praised Tolentino and Austria and is convinced that they are "the serial’s best actors" with "Estrada and Gutierrez struggling not to push their performances over the top" she also viewed Salvador and Eigenmann's performance and commented that sometimes Salvador "turns in an over-the-top performance" and understands Eigenmann's performance as to being "very young and has no insight in her turn as a military woman." Alfie Lorenzo of Abante Tonite said "With Coco Martin, damang-dama ng publiko kung ano ang role na ipinakita niya. Tumatagos sa laman at buto ng mga televiewers" [with Coco Martin, the audience can recognise the roles he's showing. It penetrates the flesh and bones of the televiewers] but also agrees to Martin having a slight lisp problem but is overthrown with his powerful acting. Lorenzo also praised Ronaldo Valdez's acting as a strict and straight-up general and grandfather. Another critic from Pilipino Star Ngayon, Veronica Samio praised Coco Martin on his acting, "sa kanyang kagalingan, nagagawa niyang distinct ang kanyang dalawang roles. [Because of his excellence in acting, he can make the two roles he's portraying distinct.] Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin will live long." Critics share their review of Minsan Retrieved via www.pep.ph 2011-08-13 Further reviewers such as Jun Nardo of Abante said, "Na-excite naman kami sa episodes na aming napanood dahil sa magandang kwento nito," and also praised Tolentino and Austria's performance. Melba Llanera PMPC Star Awards for TV (PMPC) President said, "Isang teleseryeng t'yak na aabangan, susuportahan at magiging bahagi nanaman ng pang araw-araw na buhay ng mga Pilipino. [A must-watch TV series that will be part of many Filipino's daily life.]"Mall tour
The cast of Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin, namely stars Coco Martin and Maja Salvador, lead the show's Pambansang Pasasalamat Tour (lit. National Thanksgiving Tour) around the nation. Pambansang Pasasalamant Plug Retrieved via 07-24-2011 www.minsanlangkitaiibigin.tv Martin del Rosario and Andi Eigenmann took part in some of the locations. The first official mall tour was on 10 July 2011 in Robinsons Metro East ManilaRobinsons Place Metro East
Robinsons Place Metro East is a shopping mall owned by John Gokongwei, founder of JG Summit Holdings and Robinsons Land Co.. Robinsons Metro East is situated along Marcos Highway, Brgy. Dela Paz, Pasig City, just beside the neighbor shopping mall, the Sta. Lucia East Grandmall in Cainta, Rizal...
followed by their second stop in CSI The City Mall, Dagupan
City Supermarket, Inc.
City Supermarket, Inc. or CSI is a retailer under the CSI Group of Companies based in Dagupan City, Pangasinan, Philippines. It is the largest retailer in Northern Luzon.It is operated by Belen Fernandez, an elected public official of Dagupan...
on 16 July. The crew stopped in Robinsons Place Pampanga
Robinsons Star Mills Pampanga
Robinsons Starmills Pampanga or Starmills Mall is a shopping mall owned and operated by John Gokongwei and his company, Robinsons Malls, the second largest mall operator in the Philippines. This is the very first Robinsons Mall in the Central Luzon and in the Pampanga Province, rivaling adjacent SM...
before Metro East on 7 June. Martin and Salvador later toured in Robinsons Place, Lipa on 24 July with special guests. They then visited the Pacific Mall Metro Mandaue Cebu on July 30. Final Mall Tour Plug www.minsan.abs-cbn.com On the following day they stopped by in Robinsons Santa Rosa Market with their final tour being held in SM City North EDSA
SM City North EDSA
SM City North EDSA is the largest mall in the Philippines, and the world’s third biggest in terms of leasable area . It is operated by SM Prime Holdings, a local holding company in the Philippines, the biggest retail and mall operator in Southeast Asia...
on August 14 featuring all the main and supporting cast in the SM Skydome.
Soundtrack
The Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin soundtrack was released by Star RecordsStar Records
Star Records, referring loosely to two companies, Star Recording and Star Songs Music Publishing, is an ABS-CBN Entertainment Group company whose main lines of business include: producing, developing and distributing audio and video content; music publishing; events production and music artists...
lead by its title theme song sung by Gary Valenciano
Gary Valenciano
Edgardo Jose Martin Santiago Valenciano , better known as Gary Valenciano or Gary V., is a Filipino musician. He is also dubbed as Mr. Pure Energy. He has released 26 albums, and won the Awit Awards for "Best Male Performer" 11 times. In 1998, he became UNICEF Philippines first national Ambassador...
. The digital album was officially on sale during the Pambansang Pasasalamat Tour for only ₱99 pesos.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 2011 | ASAP Pop Viewer's Choice Awards ASAP (variety show) ASAP Rocks is a musical variety show in the Philippines broadcast by ABS-CBN in the Philippines. The show is presented by its main hosts Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera. The show first premiered on February 5, 1995, and airs live Sundays... |
Pop Kapamilya TV Character | Coco Martin as Alexander and Javier | |
| Pop Kapamilya Themesong | Kunin Mo Na Ang Lahat Sa Akin by Angeline Quinto | |||
| Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin by Gary Valenciano and Juris | ||||
| 20th KBP Golden Dove Awards | Best TV Drama Program | Cast | ||
| Best Actor | Coco Martin | |||
| Best Actress | Lorna Tolentino | |||
| Golden Screen TV Awardshttp://www.pep.ph/news/31660/Golden-Screen-TV-Awards-nominees-bared | Outstanding Original Series | Cast | ||
| Outstanding Performance Of An Actor in a Drama Series | Coco Martin | |||
| Outstanding Performance Of An Actress in a Drama Series | Lorna Tolentino | |||
| 25th Star Awards for TVhttp://www.mb.com.ph/articles/342314/abscbn-biggest-winner-25th-pmpc-star-awards-tv | Best Primetime TV Series | Cast | ||
| Best Drama Actor | Coco Martin | |||
| Best Drama Actress | Amy Austria-Ventura | |||
| Lorna Tolentino |