Philippine drama
Encyclopedia
Philippine drama can be classified into different forms and genres, with the most popular being the teleserye and teledrama. The teleserye/teledrama is a television form of melodramatic serialized fiction. It is rooted from two words: "tele", which is short for "television," and "serye", a Tagalog
term for "series" and "drama" for drama. Teleserye is now used as the generic term for most Filipino soap opera
s on television, although the term officially came into existence in 2000 when Philippine network ABS-CBN
aired its first official form of teleserye, Pangako Sa 'Yo. Prior to this, Filipino soap operas were called either "telenovela
s" (and some are still referred to as such) and "soap operas". But as of 2010, GMA Network
officially uses teledrama as their form of Philippine TV Series that is drama related.
Teleseryes share some characteristics and have similar roots with classic soap operas and telenovelas, yet the teleserye has evolved into a genre with its own unique characteristics, often working as a reflection of the social realism of the Filipinos. Teleseryes are aired in prime-time five days a week, and often replays during weekends. They attract a broad audience which crosses age and gender lines, and they command the highest advertising rates in Philippine television. They last anywhere from three months to a year, or even longer, depending on its rating.
Teleseryes/Teledramas are currently produced by ABS-CBN
, TV5
, and GMA Network
. They are usually co-produced by TAPE Inc.
, and film studio, VIVA Entertainment
.
Other forms of Philippine dramas include serials and anthologies, which are usually shown on a weekly basis. These dramas are also intended to air a finite number of episodes usually lasting one season depending on the ratings.
was first heard on the radio in 1949. The genre then expanded into television in the early 1960s. The first Philippine TV soap opera was Hiwaga sa Bahay na Bato in 1963, and was produced by ABS-CBN
. Liwanag ng Pag-ibig, Prinsipe Amante, and many others soon followed.
The "soaps" were usually shown during daytime, however in 1996, soap opera programming was moved to primetime due to the popularity gained by the Mexican telenovela, Marimar, which aired in The Philippines on RPN 9. This marked the start of the telenovela craze in The Philippines. Major networks followed the trend by showing local and foreign telenovelas in their respective timeslots.
Eventually, Philippine primetime began to focus on serial dramas
and anthologies; both becoming highly watched programs. And in 2008, TV5
revived serial dramas for Philippine Primetime television.
In 2000, ABS-CBN
, made a milestone move in television when it introduced Pangako sa 'Yo, which has since been known to be the first official teleserye, and Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay
. These teleseryes set the standard for present teleserye productions in The Philippines. This new genre became a big hit in the country, and its popularity was soon spread to other countries. Because of this phenomenon, subsequent soap operas shown on television have regularly come to be referred to as teleseryes while GMA Network
officially began referring to their television dramas as teledramas.
ABS-CBN
did a remake of the longest running teleserye
, Mara Clara
and Mula Sa Puso
.
Another popular storyline revolves around a character's search for a loved one: a parent, a child, or a long lost friend; stories tend to start at the beginning of the main character's childhood. These storylines usually begin showing the child being separated at birth, or at a very young age, due to some unforeseen circumstance. In some instances, the protagonist may change places with the antagonist, or the main character may meet separated family members at another time in their lives.
Feelings of love, betrayal, jealousy, social status, and revenge are usually the underlying elements that abound in popular storylines, and story arcs build around main characters, and/or the different family members and generations.
Teleseryes are notorious for adding new characters to an already convoluted plot-line. This often adds more of a twist to the overall story. For example, the lead female character may meet a new love interest. This will eventually create a rift between the lead characters.
Sometimes teleseryes uses the "multiple lives" storyline to add more twists: a main character, who may be known as dead, may all-of-a-sudden show up out of nowhere one day; a technique that is popular in the classic American soap opera.
Villains in teleseryes have changed from the old soap opera-like versions to a less violent, less vengeful character. Instead, "villains" in teleseryes tend to build on issues such as insecurities, lack of true people skills or true love, or being misunderstood. While less violent, the teleserye villain continues to wreak havoc on the lives of protagonists through mental tactics, and/or more subdued actions.
The predictability of teleserye endings, however, has become an outstanding issue leading audiences to complain about repetitive and predictable plot-lines and endings. Because of this, scriptwriters have endeavored to change the endings of certain teleseryes to provide an additional twist, or a mark of added originality.
has since started the exportation of their dramas, most likely classical dramas as they often have a universal message. Pangako Sa Yo (The Promise) is one of the most successful Philippine dramas abroad. Prior to China, the love story of Angelo Buenavista and Yna Macaspac have mesmerized people in Malaysia, Singapore
, Indonesia
, Cambodia
and even Africa
. As Cambodian Nai Hiu Mei recounts, “The teleserye, broadcasted here with Khmer dubbing, was so popular that many Cambodian babies are named Angelo.” The Times of Zambia writer Meluse Kapatamoyo wrote, “The series has become a topic of discussion among families, friends and even neighbors who daily ponder on how the show would end.” René Lötter of One Africa Television has even said, “When is Pangako sa’Yo coming back?’ I wish I could get a dollar each time I get that question. From teenager to grandma, from household organizers to tax consultant – it’s gripped people across all genders.".
Sana Maulit Muli
was also aired in Taiwan. ABS-CBN have continued not only to embark teleseryes on other cultures but also win awards such as Lobo
(dubbed as She-Wolf: The Last Sentinel), which garnered awards and nomination on other countries such as the Best Telenovela award at the 30th BANFF World Television Festival in Toronto and an International Emmy nomination for its lead actress Angel Locsin
. Another show, Eva Fonda
managed to win awards from the Seoul International Drama Awards where also the lead actress Cristine Reyes
managed to get a nomination as Best Leading Actress and a Special award for the show. GMA Network
's Boys Nxt Door
, a teen melodrama, was the first Philippine TV series aired on a local broadcasting network in Korea, and their show Mga Mata ni Anghelita
was aired in Mexico. Both networks have maximized the use of online streaming to promote their series' abroad. ABS-CBN has also introduced a website called ABS-CBN International Sales, for easy access to their shows.
Today, Philippine dramas gained international recognition from international award-giving bodies, cementing the reputation of the Philippines as a prime drama producer. Most of these nominated dramas were from ABS-CBN. It started with Lobo
wining the Best Telenovela category in the 30th BANFF World Television Festival. Several dramas were also nominated in the International Emmy for the telenovela
category, including ABS-CBN's Dahil May Isang Ikaw
, Kahit Isang Saglit
and GMA's Magdusa Ka
. Magkaribal
of ABS-CBN was recently nominated in the 2011 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards.
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
term for "series" and "drama" for drama. Teleserye is now used as the generic term for most Filipino soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
s on television, although the term officially came into existence in 2000 when Philippine network ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
aired its first official form of teleserye, Pangako Sa 'Yo. Prior to this, Filipino soap operas were called either "telenovela
Telenovela
A telenovela is a limited-run serial dramatic programming popular in Latin American, Portuguese, and Spanish television programming. The word combines tele, short for televisión or televisão , and novela, a Spanish or Portuguese word for "novel"...
s" (and some are still referred to as such) and "soap operas". But as of 2010, GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
officially uses teledrama as their form of Philippine TV Series that is drama related.
Teleseryes share some characteristics and have similar roots with classic soap operas and telenovelas, yet the teleserye has evolved into a genre with its own unique characteristics, often working as a reflection of the social realism of the Filipinos. Teleseryes are aired in prime-time five days a week, and often replays during weekends. They attract a broad audience which crosses age and gender lines, and they command the highest advertising rates in Philippine television. They last anywhere from three months to a year, or even longer, depending on its rating.
Teleseryes/Teledramas are currently produced by ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
, TV5
Associated Broadcasting Company
The Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal...
, and GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
. They are usually co-produced by TAPE Inc.
TAPE Inc.
TAPE Inc is the partner of GMA Network in afternoon dramas and noontime variety and game shows Eat Bulaga! since 1995. The offices and production studios are located at Xavierville Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Philippines. It was established in 1978...
, and film studio, VIVA Entertainment
VIVA Entertainment
VIVA Entertainment, Inc., also known as Viva Entertainment Group is a Philippine entertainment company. Its history started in 1981 when Vicente "Vic" del Rosario, Jr. founded Viva Films.-Divisions:*Viva Productions, Inc...
.
Other forms of Philippine dramas include serials and anthologies, which are usually shown on a weekly basis. These dramas are also intended to air a finite number of episodes usually lasting one season depending on the ratings.
Timeline
Soap operas in The Philippines originated when Gulong ng PaladGulong ng Palad
Gulong ng Palad is a Philippine 50's radio drama series and 1980s soap opera hit...
was first heard on the radio in 1949. The genre then expanded into television in the early 1960s. The first Philippine TV soap opera was Hiwaga sa Bahay na Bato in 1963, and was produced by ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
. Liwanag ng Pag-ibig, Prinsipe Amante, and many others soon followed.
The "soaps" were usually shown during daytime, however in 1996, soap opera programming was moved to primetime due to the popularity gained by the Mexican telenovela, Marimar, which aired in The Philippines on RPN 9. This marked the start of the telenovela craze in The Philippines. Major networks followed the trend by showing local and foreign telenovelas in their respective timeslots.
Eventually, Philippine primetime began to focus on serial dramas
Serial (radio and television)
Serials are series of television programs and radio programs that rely on a continuing plot that unfolds in a sequential episode by episode fashion. Serials typically follow main story arcs that span entire television seasons or even the full run of the series, which distinguishes them from...
and anthologies; both becoming highly watched programs. And in 2008, TV5
Associated Broadcasting Company
The Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal...
revived serial dramas for Philippine Primetime television.
In 2000, ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
, made a milestone move in television when it introduced Pangako sa 'Yo, which has since been known to be the first official teleserye, and Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay
Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay
Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay / Timeless is a Filipino soap opera, produced by ABS-CBN and Star Cinema. It started in the year 2002 and ended in the year 2003...
. These teleseryes set the standard for present teleserye productions in The Philippines. This new genre became a big hit in the country, and its popularity was soon spread to other countries. Because of this phenomenon, subsequent soap operas shown on television have regularly come to be referred to as teleseryes while GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
officially began referring to their television dramas as teledramas.
ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
did a remake of the longest running teleserye
Mara 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...
, Mara Clara
Mara Clara (2010 TV series)
Mara Clara is a Philippine television drama which aired on ABS-CBN from 2010 to 2011. It is a remake is based on the 1992 original television series of the same name.-Adaptation:...
and Mula Sa Puso
Mula Sa Puso
Mula Sa Puso is a Filipino television series originally aired by ABS-CBN from March 10, 1997 to April 2, 1999. Claudine Barretto, Rico Yan, and Diether Ocampo played the role of the main protagonists in the series. It was re-aired in 2008 through Studio 23 and Kapamilya Channel, which are both an...
.
Storylines
The underlying theme of any teleserye tends to focus on love in all kinds of dimensions: love between couples, families, and friends. A popular plot-line revolves around a love story between two different individuals; most often an affluent individual who falls in love with someone from the "other side of the tracks," so to speak. Often the couple is separated by ill-fate, with their romance being often contradicted by a third party, usually meddling parents or relatives.Another popular storyline revolves around a character's search for a loved one: a parent, a child, or a long lost friend; stories tend to start at the beginning of the main character's childhood. These storylines usually begin showing the child being separated at birth, or at a very young age, due to some unforeseen circumstance. In some instances, the protagonist may change places with the antagonist, or the main character may meet separated family members at another time in their lives.
Feelings of love, betrayal, jealousy, social status, and revenge are usually the underlying elements that abound in popular storylines, and story arcs build around main characters, and/or the different family members and generations.
Twists
Among the most common twists in the storylines circling around a romance between couples is that they may find out that they are actually related; brothers and/or sisters who were separated at birth. Or conversely, characters who have grown-up as siblings may find that they are, in fact, not related after a climactic event and/or situation.Teleseryes are notorious for adding new characters to an already convoluted plot-line. This often adds more of a twist to the overall story. For example, the lead female character may meet a new love interest. This will eventually create a rift between the lead characters.
Sometimes teleseryes uses the "multiple lives" storyline to add more twists: a main character, who may be known as dead, may all-of-a-sudden show up out of nowhere one day; a technique that is popular in the classic American soap opera.
Villains
Villains are created to make the life of the protagonist especially miserable. Old Filipino soap operas portrayed very rude, violent, greedy, almost sociopathic villains who have come to be tagged as "Kontrabida," derived from the words "kontra" ( Spanish word for "against") and "bida" ("the lead character").Villains in teleseryes have changed from the old soap opera-like versions to a less violent, less vengeful character. Instead, "villains" in teleseryes tend to build on issues such as insecurities, lack of true people skills or true love, or being misunderstood. While less violent, the teleserye villain continues to wreak havoc on the lives of protagonists through mental tactics, and/or more subdued actions.
Endings
Stories usually end with villains meeting a spectacularly violent, gruesome, painful and gory end. Most complications will reach a resolution, and protagonists end up on top: winning the prize, getting married, having a child with a loved one, and or landing the lead job in a corporation.The predictability of teleserye endings, however, has become an outstanding issue leading audiences to complain about repetitive and predictable plot-lines and endings. Because of this, scriptwriters have endeavored to change the endings of certain teleseryes to provide an additional twist, or a mark of added originality.
Story lines
In recent times, many "classic" love stories that were popular during the 60s, 70s, and 80s have seen a resurgence on the small screen. These "old" story lines are sometimes transposed, and often re-showcases the main characters in their new incarnations: usually through a child, or another character who may share the same characteristics as the former. Some dramas give importance to story lines centering on the showbiz industry, with arcs portraying former friends or siblings fighting for fame and popularity. This days Philippine dramas evolved into a new range, it's now more light and comedic, a good example is the series Precious Hearts Romances that features stories from pocketbooks.Twists
Unpredictable twists are still a huge part of the modern day teleserye, and can be used to further extend a series. Some twists focus on having the protagonists as "scapegoats" for the wrongdoings of the villain, causing further suffering to the main protagonists. Antagonists often shows much torture and difficulty to the protagonist making the climax more interesting and heart-stopping.Endings
The endings of modern storylines are sometimes quite different from what has been classically written. These days, story lines sometimes showcase a noted change in a character: often a villain who later faces forgiveness from the protagonist. Or instead of the obnoxious demise of a villain, the antagonist is often brought to justice and subsequently imprisoned. Also, some protagonists actually die, and do not survive the tumultuous lives they have lived. Modern drama serials have also opened up the possibilities for a series return through cliffhanger finales.Exportation
ABS-CBNABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
has since started the exportation of their dramas, most likely classical dramas as they often have a universal message. Pangako Sa Yo (The Promise) is one of the most successful Philippine dramas abroad. Prior to China, the love story of Angelo Buenavista and Yna Macaspac have mesmerized people in Malaysia, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
and even Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
. As Cambodian Nai Hiu Mei recounts, “The teleserye, broadcasted here with Khmer dubbing, was so popular that many Cambodian babies are named Angelo.” The Times of Zambia writer Meluse Kapatamoyo wrote, “The series has become a topic of discussion among families, friends and even neighbors who daily ponder on how the show would end.” René Lötter of One Africa Television has even said, “When is Pangako sa’Yo coming back?’ I wish I could get a dollar each time I get that question. From teenager to grandma, from household organizers to tax consultant – it’s gripped people across all genders.".
Sana Maulit Muli
Sana Maulit Muli
Sana Maulit Muli is a Filipino primetime soap opera produced by ABS-CBN. It was considered as one of the most watched television shows in the Philippines for 2007. Its name is roughly translated in English: "I Wish It Could Happen Again"...
was also aired in Taiwan. ABS-CBN have continued not only to embark teleseryes on other cultures but also win awards such as Lobo
Lobo (TV series)
Lobo is Philippine supernatural–fantasy horror TV series produced by ABS-CBN that premiered January 28, 2008 and ran through July 2008...
(dubbed as She-Wolf: The Last Sentinel), which garnered awards and nomination on other countries such as the Best Telenovela award at the 30th BANFF World Television Festival in Toronto and an International Emmy nomination for its lead actress Angel Locsin
Angel Locsin
Angel Locsin is a Filipina television and film actress and commercial model. Aside from this, she is also a film producer and fashion designer....
. Another show, Eva Fonda
Eva Fonda
Eva Fonda is a Filipino drama show on ABS-CBN that aired on December 1, 2008 and ended on February 6, 2009. Eva Fonda is a remake of a 1976 film of the same name starring Alma Moreno.-Plot summary:...
managed to win awards from the Seoul International Drama Awards where also the lead actress Cristine Reyes
Cristine Reyes
Ara Maria Cristine Reyes , better known as Cristine Reyes, is a Filipina Actress. She became a contestant of GMA-7's reality TV program, StarStruck. She is presently managed by Viva Artists Agency and a contract artist of ABS-CBN...
managed to get a nomination as Best Leading Actress and a Special award for the show. GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
's Boys Nxt Door
Boys Nxt Door
Boys Nxt Door was an award-winning youth oriented situation comedy from GMA Network. It was the second part of GMA Network's 57th Anniversary. The series premiered on June 24, 2007 and ended on January 13, 2008 with 31 one-hour episodes....
, a teen melodrama, was the first Philippine TV series aired on a local broadcasting network in Korea, and their show Mga Mata ni Anghelita
Mga Mata ni Anghelita
Mga Mata ni Anghelita was a Philippine drama produced by GMA Network that begun airing on July 2, 2007.This was a television remake of a 1978 film starring the late Julie Vega. The series is the third part of GMA Network's 57th Anniversary Offering....
was aired in Mexico. Both networks have maximized the use of online streaming to promote their series' abroad. ABS-CBN has also introduced a website called ABS-CBN International Sales, for easy access to their shows.
Today, Philippine dramas gained international recognition from international award-giving bodies, cementing the reputation of the Philippines as a prime drama producer. Most of these nominated dramas were from ABS-CBN. It started with Lobo
Lobo (TV series)
Lobo is Philippine supernatural–fantasy horror TV series produced by ABS-CBN that premiered January 28, 2008 and ran through July 2008...
wining the Best Telenovela category in the 30th BANFF World Television Festival. Several dramas were also nominated in the International Emmy for the telenovela
Telenovela
A telenovela is a limited-run serial dramatic programming popular in Latin American, Portuguese, and Spanish television programming. The word combines tele, short for televisión or televisão , and novela, a Spanish or Portuguese word for "novel"...
category, including ABS-CBN's Dahil May Isang Ikaw
Dahil May Isang Ikaw
Dahil May Isang Ikaw is a Philippine primetime drama series that aired by ABS-CBN starring Lorna Tolentino, Gabby Concepcion, Kristine Hermosa, Jericho Rosales, John Estrada, Chin Chin Gutierrez, Karylle and Sid Lucero...
, Kahit Isang Saglit
Kahit Isang Saglit
Kahit Isang Saglit is a drama television series produced by ABS-CBN and Double Vision. It aired in the Philippines in primetime from Monday through Friday and will be aired soon both in Malaysia and SingaporeThe show was dedicated to its first director, Gilbert Guevarra Perez, who died in 2008...
and GMA's Magdusa Ka
Magdusa Ka
Magdusa Ka is a Philippine drama aired on GMA Network, as the eight instalment of Sine Novela. The original movie was released back in 1986. It was recently nominated for the 37th International Emmy Awards for Best Telenovela...
. Magkaribal
Magkaribal
Magkaribal is a Philippine suspense drama about love, fashion, and family which began on June 28, 2010 on ABS-CBN. The show was launched as part of the half-term show line-up by ABS-CBN as a part of its celebration for the 60th Anniversary of Philippine Soap Opera.The series is the story of two...
of ABS-CBN was recently nominated in the 2011 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards.
See also
- List of Philippine television shows
- List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
- List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
- List of programs broadcast by TV5
- List of programs previously broadcast by ABS-CBN
- List of shows previously aired by GMA Network
- List of shows previously aired by TV5