To the Filipino public, Charos Santos-Concio is more than just one of the most powerful women in Filipino media. She is Ate Charo – a friend, someone you can bear your whole soul to, because of her hosting Maalala Mo Kaya, the longest-running drama anthology in Asia.
The start of her work with MMK is usually punctuated by the now-iconic words: “Dear Ate Charo…” The show had spawned over thirty-one (31) years of running. Her show, MMK, has gone on to captivate audiences for decades.
Why MMK Has a Lasting Legacy
MMK’s lasting legacy is due to its consistent sentimentality and eschewing of Filipino values throughout its long run. It also mirrors the beauty and brutality of Filipino everyday life. MMK’s Camison, Seashell, and Manika episodes reflect the terrifying reality that our abusers are sometimes the people that we trust or strangers—and that trauma takes a whole community to help in the process of healing.
However, some triumphs mean a lot to the Filipino sentiment. We have Loisa Andalio playing a girl who overcame her mother’s mean spirit while living in the graveyard and became a teacher. In the process, her resilience helped her gain a place of residence. AJ Perez’s last project before his untimely demise with MMK was Tsinelas, which is about brothers who walked a long way to an area in Visayas.
The most common themes of MMK are the ff:
- Family
- Poverty
- Trauma
- Romance
- Redemption
The Best MMK Episodes
Agua Bendita (Judy Ann Santos)
This MMK episode is not one to play with, like a Jili game. Twitter user @nikowl dubbed it as the MMK horror episode that will end all horror episodes. Released during the ’90s-2000s, Agua Bendita sees Judy Ann Santos as a girl possessed by a demonic spirit after losing her faith due to certain revelations. Rico Yan also stars in this episode and makes the ultimate act of love for Judy Ann’s character.
Since the episode is unavailable online, a similar performance Judy Ann fans will love is Carnabal.
Manika (Jane Oineza)
Manika attracted much attention during the 2013 International Emmy Awards for Best Drama Series. This episode is a two-parter and attracted attention due to the heavy and sensitive nature of the story. The story follows a 15-year-old girl named Nene, who loses her father and ends up being preyed on by her stepfather and relatives, causing her body dysmorphia during her trial.
Piso (Piolo Pascual)
Piolo Pascual and Jodi Sta. Maria headline this endearing episode. Piolo Pascual stars as a teacher who surpasses the odds. However, his mental decline after an accident leads his sister to keep her distance from him. Piolo Pascual plays his best here.
Talaarawan (Eula Valdez)
Legendary screenwriter Lualhati Bautista pens Talaarawan. Eula Valdez stars as an obedient and determined wife and mother from the land-owning class whose life takes a turn for the worse when she is sexually assaulted by the parish priest of her town and her family killed on his orders, leaving her no choice but to go against him.
This episode is remembered as one of the best. Some even say that Eula Valdez’s acting prowess in this episode led her to be cast in one of the most iconic roles in Filipino television: Amor Powers.
Oto-san (Gardo Versoza)
Oto-san takes place during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. It follows a small boy and his relationship with a homesick Japanese soldier. Their friendship echoes that between a father and his son.
Wrapping Up
MMK has always been part of Filipino culture. Although it may be gone now, it will remain with plenty of Filipinos. The stories featured there give hope, joy and inspiration to the generations that grew up with it.
