It’s that time of the year again and ‘Best Shows’ is back to give recognition to programs that gave viewers another level of viewing experience this 2022.
This year, the Philippines experienced a COVID-19 surge in January, which was later overshadowed by the political drama surrounding the 2022 Presidential elections. The country was also devastated by strong typhoons, some of which even struck during what were considered to be ‘summer’ months. In world affairs, the Russia-Ukraine crisis has had tremendous impact to the prices of goods, including here at home, as the said event gravely affected the already worse supply crunch amidst the pandemic.
While all of those were happening, television remained a companion to viewers who would like to seek refuge from the realities of life.
For the first of this special three-part series, the top shows from the Kamuning-based network, GMA, will be given the spotlight.
Please do take note that to qualify for this list, the programs must have premiered or got a new season on GMA or its other channels during the period of January 1 to December 18, 2022. Moreover, the numbers beside the show title below denotes the ranking of the program in this list.
15. Start-Up PH
- Starring: Bea Alonzo, Alden Richards, Yasmien Kurdi, Jeric Gonzales
- Series run: September 26 to December 23, 2022
- Episode count: 65
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV
Start-Up PH is the first adaptation of the 2020 South Korean TV series ‘Start-Up’, which starred Bae Suzy, Kim Seon-ho, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Kang Han-na. It is also the first Kapuso project of Bea Alonzo and her first official pair-up with Alden Richards. Apart from ‘SUPH’, the duo will be starring too in the film adaptation of ‘A Moment to Remember’, as announced in 2021.
Anyway, going back to the series and without mentioning any particular scenes or events, this adaptation did minor deviations from the original screenplay, but still ties up with the major plot points present in the SoKor version — a convention for many adaptations. However, it is rumored that the finale of the Philippine version will also deliver yet another plot twist, which will see a change in the ‘end game’ of its main characters.
The Filipino Start-Up series had also received words of praises from the executive producer of the original series.
Start-Up PH is the first primetime series of GMA this year to use a different frame rate, whether that be 30 or 48fps, a contrast from the standard 50 or 60fps seen in most shows. The decision to use such has resulted in the crisp images which are outstanding for a Kapuso program. Too bad, though, that did not went as far as abandoning the practice of cropping the show for the 4:3 aspect ratio on TV.
14. Abot-Kamay na Pangarap
- Starring: Carmina Villaroel, Jillian Ward, Richard Yap
- Series run: September 5, 2022 to present
- Episode count: 90 (as of December 19, 2022)
- Platform(s): GMA
Abot-Kamay na Pangarap is a medical afternoon drama of the Kapuso network. It holds the record of being the highest-rated daytime drama of GMA in 2022, even defeating that of primetime shows in some days. This TV drama is based on the 1996 film Abot-Kamay na Pangarap by Carlos Siguon-Reyna that starred Maricel Soriano, Dina Bonnevie, and Tonton Gutierrez.
In AKNP, Lyneth (Carmina Villaroel) was an ‘illiterate’, who did not know how to read, nor write. She then met a doctor (Richard Yap) and gets impregnated with a child that she later named Analyn (Jillian Ward). Years later, Lyneth discovers Analyn has a photographic memory, which enables her to memorize facts from books. Analyn then dreams to become a doctor someday, which she will achieve and be named as the country’s youngest neurosurgeon.
Aside from the usual dramatic fare, they also dispense important medical factoids, such a explanation of illnesses, medications, and procedures. However, the series had also received backlash multiple times from netizens and doctors alike over scenes where there have been some inconsistencies with regards to dramatization of some medical situations.
Despite those, AKNP has remained a top-rater in the overall daytime block and has received a following online.
13. Widows’ Web
- Starring: Carmina Villaroel, Ashley Ortega, Vaness del Moral, Pauline Mendoza
- Starring: February 28 to April 29, 2022
- Episode count: 43
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV
Widows’ Web is a crime and mystery primetime mini-series by GMA. Following the tales before and after the death of Xander Sagrado (Ryan Eigenmann), the series also exposes the secrets and deceptions by the people arond him.
WW is also the first Kapuso drama to be directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng, fresh from his directorial duties in the ABS-CBN series La Vida Lena, which finished its run also in February.
Widows’ Web also showcased the acting prowesses of Vaness del Moral and Ashley Ortega, who both got their lead role debuts in this show. The show also made good use of cliffhangers, which made the show an interesting watch till the end.
12. Apoy sa Langit
- Starring: Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, Zoren Legaspi, Lianne Valentin, Mikee Quintos
- Series run: May 2 to September 3, 2022
- Episode count: 105
- Platform(s): GMA
Apoy sa Langit is the first official kabit-serye from GMA this year. Airing in the Afternoon Prime block, it started slow in the ratings game, but picked up steam in the lead-up to Gemma’s (Maricel Laxa) discovery of the affair between her husband Cesar (Zoren Legaspi) and his “daughter” Stella (Lianne Valentin).
In true Afternoon Prime fashion, Apoy sa Langit also made use of elements of camp, which can be traced back to the now-immortal (for better or for worse) ‘Ika-6 na Utos’. From the under the table / ‘gout attack’ to ‘zombie shake’, the series has plenty of borderline funny scenes that became viral during its run.
Speaking of which, ASL also became GMA’s most-viewed program online and on Kapuso Stream, garnering as much as 50,000 concurrent views during its run. That is also reflected on TV, with the program hovering between 8 and 9% during its peak, and even reaching 10% during the series finale.
11. What We Could Be
- Starring: Miguel Tanfelix, Ysabel Ortega, Yasser Marta
- Series run: August 29 to October 27, 2022
- Episode count: 40
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV
- A collaboration between GMA and Quantum Films
What We Could Be is a primetime drama series produced by Quantum Films, in collaboration with GMA Network. Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, it features Miguel Tanfelix and Ysabel Ortega’s first official team-up on television, superseding Voltes V: Legacy which has been deferred to next year.
Anyway, WWCB performed decently during its run, despite moving from the second slot (8:50 pm) to the third slot (9:35 pm) midway through its run. The program’s cinematography and color grading also stands out from the rest of the Telebabad block, offering a different sight from the usual. Also, it is the second Telebabad drama this year to be aired in 16:9 letterbox format on TV.
10. First Lady
- Starring: Gabby Concepcion, Sanya Lopez
- Series run: February 14 to July 1, 2022
- Episode count: 97
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV / Netflix (since December 9, 2022)
First Lady is the sequel to the 2021 top-rating series ‘First Yaya’, which also starred Gabby Concepcion and Sanya Lopez as President Glen Acosta and Melody Reyes, respectively.
In First Lady, viewers follow them as they explore the world of newlyweds in the middle of a busy election period. Also and finally, there’s a face to Christine (Jean Garcia), the mother of Glenn’s three kids… or two (no spoilers here). Anyway, Senator Allegra Trinidad (Isabel Rivas) was introduced as the season’s main villain. Attorney Ingrid Domingo (Alice Dixson) was also added to serve as threat to the relationship of PGA and First Lady Melody.
Most importantly, First Lady’s run took place during the height of the 2022 election period, and even mirroring some of the real-world events that happened then.
As for the First Yaya vs. First Lady comparison, First Lady definitely has more layers and stories than its first season. It also puts a spotlight on some societal issues, but not to the point that the story has broken the border between reality and fantasy.
9. I Can See You: AlterNate
- Starring: Dingdong Dantes, Beauty Gonzalez, Ricky Davao, Jackie Lou Blanco
- Series run: January 10 to February 4, 2022
- Episode count: 20
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV
In the third season of I Can See You, the program changed up its format a bit and made a full-blown single mini-series titled ‘AlterNate’ starring Dingdong Dantes.
In AlterNate, Dantes portrays the twins Nate and Michael, who both grew up apart from one another. Years later, Nate becomes entrenched in the ambitions of his father (Ricky Davao), but sees a way out of it by getting his twin brother Michael to cover for and act as him. Little did Nate know, this would also lead to his wife Shiela (Beauty Gonzalez) falling out with him.
If there is one thing that will surely bother viewers of the show, that could be the strong color grading, which sometimes affect the quality of the pictures themselves. Other than that, AlterNate has a gripping storyline until the end.
8. Bolera
- Starring: Kylie Padilla, Rayver Cruz, Jak Roberto
- Series run: May 30 to August 26, 2022
- Episode count: 60
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV
Bolera is the sports-cum-family drama which is also the comeback teleserye of Kylie Padilla, who last topbilled in a drama in 2019 via ‘Toda One I Love’
In ‘Bolera’, Padilla portrays the role of Joni Fajardo, who has a gift in playing billards. She then witnesses in her adult years how the same sport that she loves will take the life of her father, Joma (Al Tantay). With revenge over her father’s death and redemption of his tarnished name being her primary motivation, she takes on an epic journey to face head-on the very person who killed Joma.
Several Filipino billiard champions also participated behind-the-scenes to make ‘Bolera’ possible, with no less than the Efren ‘Bata’ Reyes even having a special participation in the drama series itself.
7. Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang Kwento
- Starring: Michael V., Manilyn Reynes, among others
- Series run: June 11, 2022 to present (current season)
- Platform(s): GMA
In Pepito Manaloto: Tuloy ang Kwento, the program shifts its focus back to the current era. After seeing how Pepito and Elsa’s love story began and flourished in the ’80s, viewers of their “reality show” witness anew how the stories from their past affect the present, and even how their present continue to connect with the past.
The ‘Tuloy ang Kwento’ season also tackles how Pepito’s kids Chito and Clarissa navigate their lives as adult and teenager, respectively, with Clarissa even having issues on love and is slowly entering the adulting stage. To which, Pepito and Elsa draw upon their experiences from back in the day to impart lessons onto them, as well as to the viewers.
6. Artikulo 247
- Starring: Rhian Ramos, Kris Bernal, Benjamin Alves, Mark Herras
- Series run: March 7 to June 3, 2022
- Episode count: 63
- Platform(s): GMA
Artikulo 247 was supposed to be one of GMA Afternoon Prime’s January to February offerings, but had to be pushed off multiple times due to the Omicron wave since late last year. Luckily, just as that surge dissipated, Artikulo 247 was able to premiere finally in March.
The story tackles the controversial law that states a person who catches their husband or wife in the act of sexual intercourse with someone else, and kills either or both of them in the process will only receive the punishment of destierro or banishment within a specified radius of the area for a specific amount of time.
In the story, this is exactly what Klaire (Kris Bernal) did to her husband when she caught him in the act together with MJ (Rhian Ramos). Eventually, upon knowing that she could run away with crimes by invoking Article 247 of the Revised Penal Code, she set on a plan to victimize another man to get his riches (Mark Herras). Later on, the paths of MJ and Klaire cross again as the former gets into a relationship with Noah (Benjamin Alves), the brother of Elijah (Herras).
Artikulo 247 effectively used elements of suspense and mystery throughout its run, with the revelation of Bernal’s character and her motive seemingly always hanging by a thread every time Ramos. Also, it should be highlighted that the series’ opening billboard is outstanding and is a sight not commonly seen on afternoon dramas and on the network, in general.
5. Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune
- Starring: Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Sunshine Cruz, Maricel Laxa, Barbie Forteza, Rob Gomez, David Licauco
- Series run: January 3 to February 25, 2022
- Episode count: 40
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV, Heart of Asia
- A collaboration between GMA and Regal Entertainment
In 2021, GMA and Regal Entertainment forged a collaboration to create ‘Regal Studio Presents’, a drama-anthology program which would see Kapuso and Regal artists bring various stories to life, with some even having the potential to become standalone programs.
Months after RSP premiered on GMA, both parties announced the development of a primetime series based on the ‘Mano Po’ film franchise, titled ‘Mano Po Legacy’.
Hence, on January 3, 2022, the first installment ‘The Family Fortune’ premiered. In the first story, Steffie (Barbie Forteza) secured a job in Gold Quest as an assistant to Christine Chan (Sunshine Cruz). The story then moves forward with secrets within the Gold Quest empire unfolding, and how the familial issues stemming from the matriarch Consuelo Chan (Boots Anson-Roa) affect the rest of the Chans.
Towards the end of Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune, it was subtly revealed that MPL will have a shared universe, with Irene Pacheco (Bianca Umali) and Richard Lim (Ken Chan) from ‘Her Big Boss’ appearing for the first time in the franchise.
4. Family Feud Philippines (2022 revival)
- Host: Dingdong Dantes
- Series run: March 21, 2022 to present
- Episode count: 192 (as of December 19, 2022)
- Platform(s): GMA
- A format of Fremantle Television
After 5 years of absence on local TV, the famous game show franchise is back not just on our screens, but also on GMA Network. During the 2022 New Year Countdown, the Kapuso network announced the return of ‘Family Feud’ with no host named yet during that time, nor a definite time slot being given then.
In February, though, a development happened after Willie Revillame decided to not renew his contract with GMA to broadcast his afternoon variety show ‘Wowowin’ on the station. After the program’s Kapuso run ended on February 11, simulcast of GTV’s newsmagazine show ‘Dapat Alam Mo!’ temporarily filled the time slot.
By March, Family Feud named Dingdong Dantes as its host for the 2022 revival. Dantes previously hosted the program from 2009 to 2010, also on GMA.
In this incarnation of FF, the program grew into a powerhouse early primetime show, registering as high as 16% in a single episode, with its online views also garnering up to millions on select episodes, thanks to either suggestive or purely comedic answers made by contestants in the show.
3. Love You Stranger
- Starring: Gabbi Garcia, Khalil Ramos, Gil Cuerva
- Series run: June 6 to August 11, 2022
- Episode count: 40
- Platform(s): GMA
Love You Stranger is a romance-mystery drama that marks the second on-screen pairing of real-life couple Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos on GMA. The first one was for Stories From The Heart last year.
In LYS, the people in the fictional town of Santa Castela believe that a mysterious figure named ‘Lilom’ takes women who are ‘offered’ to them through a ritual made during a feast. LJ (Gabbi Garcia) believes that the same figure took her mother (Andrea del Rosario) and drenched her of any semblance of sanity for years. Through a movie project with director Ben (Khalil Ramos), LJ returns to the place and investigate what occurred that night. The two of them later unravel secrets long covered in the guise of the thin black veil of ‘Lilom’.
Love You Stranger, a production of GMA Public Affairs, tackles several facets of mental health issues and problems through characterizations and the incorporation to the story of the said topic. A list of hotlines for mental health emergencies were also included prior to the credits of the show.
Like ‘Heartful Café’, the show was part of GTV’s slate in 2021, but were later transferred to the main channel in hopes of garnering mainstream viewership. The program also got delayed to 2022 due to COVID-19-related concerns.
2. Running Man Philippines
- Starring: Mikael Daez, Glaiza de Castro, Ruru Madrid, Buboy Villar, Lexi Gonzales, Angel Guardian, Kokoy de Santos
- Series run: September 3 to December 18, 2022
- Episode count: 32
- Platform(s): GMA
- A production in conjunction with SBS Korea
In 2020, GMA unveiled a partnership with Korean broadcaster SBS to create a local version of the popular variety show ‘Running Man’. After two years, the project finally got a go signal, with the seven cast members listed above flown to South Korea in July 2022 to film the program. Aside from that, there were also guests who acted as either the main villain of the week’s challenge or one of the runners.
RMPh maximized the opportunity of shooting on location in South Korea by serving audience with the similar experience to the original Running Man, while also adding a local flavor to it. Sadly though, if you’re expecting a crossover with the OG RM cast, there’s none… at least for this season.
Throughout its run from September to December, Running Man Philippines consistently placed in the Top 5 of the most-watched programs on TV every weekend.
Honorable mentions
Lolong
- Starring: Ruru Madrid, Christopher de Leon, Jean Garcia, Paul Salas, Shaira Diaz
- Series run: July 4 to September 30, 2022
- Episode count: 65
- Platform(s): GMA, GTV
Jose and Maria’s Bonggang Villa
- Starring: Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera
- Series run: May 14 to August 27, 2022
- Episode count: 16
- Platform(s): GMA
The Wall Philippines (Season 2)
- Host: Billy Crawford
- Series run: August 28 to December 4, 2022
- Episode count: 15
- Platform(s): GMA
- A production of Viva Television, format of Banijay
TikToClock
- Hosts: Pokwang, Kim Atienza, Rabiya Mateo
- Series run: July 25, 2022 to present
- Episode count: 106 (as of December 19, 2022)
- Platform(s): GMA
Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters
- Starring: Aiko Melendez, Beauty Gonzalez, Thea Tolentino, Angel Guardian
- Series run: October 31, 2022 to present
- Episode count: 29 (as of December 19, 2022)
- Platform(s): GMA
Program Milestones
Let us now take time to congratulate programs that turned 5, 10, 15, and 20 years old this year.
5th Anniversary of ‘Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko’
5th Anniversary of ‘Tadhana’
10th Anniversary of ‘iBilib’
15th Anniversary of ‘Born to Be Wild’
20th Anniversary* of ‘Magpakailanman’
*Magpakailanman first aired in 2002 until 2008, before returning in 2012. The show, until last year, celebrated anniversaries dating from its relaunch in 2012, before choosing to instead celebrate the original 2002 premiere date this year.
20th Anniversary of ‘Wish Ko Lang’
Apart from these shows, the network itself is celebrating 20 years as the Kapuso network, a branding that they first embraced on October 27, 2002
Best Kapuso Show of 2022: Maria Clara at Ibarra
- Starring: Dennis Trillo, Julie Anne San Jose, Barbie Forteza
- Series run: October 3, 2022 to present
- Episode count: 56 (as of December 19, 2022)
- Platform(s): GMA
Maria Clara at Ibarra is a historical-portal fantasy series produced by GMA Entertainment Group. The story revolves on how aspiring nurse Maria Clara Infantes or Klay (Barbie Forteza) entered the world of Jose Rizal’s novel ‘Noli Me Tangere’ after her professor asked her to read it for her Rizal Studies subject in college. Inside the novel, she meets her namesake, Maria Clara delos Santos y Alba (Julie Anne San Jose) and her boyfriend Crisostomo Ibarra (Dennis Trillo).
While witnessing the injustices in the book, Klay tries to plot a plan to prevent the events that will happen, but ends up failing and oftentimes hurting even herself in the process. The question now is, can Klay still return to the real world and how would she take in the tragic events that are yet to unfold?
As for Klay’s existence as a character in the story of Noli itself, she helps connect the 19th century novel to the Gen Z’s in 2022 by interacting with the characters of the novel through the lens and psyche of a modern day Filipino.
Maria Clara at Ibarra is considered to be a ‘mega-serye’ of GMA or a series with grand scale of production, in the same vein as ‘Encantadia’, ‘Mulawin’, and ‘Amaya’. As for the genre, MCI join the ranks of ‘Amaya’, ‘Indio’, ‘Illustrado’, and ‘Legal Wives’ and ‘Sahaya’ in the cultural aspect.
‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ is also a hot topic on social media, with the program reaching a cumulative of 1 billion views on its official TikTok hashtag. On Twitter, it also became a trending topic at the start of its run, with many users praising the show. Memes of characters, especially Padre Salvi (Juancho Triviño) make rounds on social media these days, a testament to how much the show has related to its target audience. There have also been videos in the past showing teachers using clips from MCAI as visual aid for their lesson about Noli Me Tangere.
With all those achievements, Maria Clara at Ibarra has cemented its position as one of GMA’s topnotch dramas in recent years, and as one of the network’s most-ambitious undertaking amidst the pandemic — a feat truly unmatched by any of their previous projects.
Moreover, with MCAI igniting the spark to relearn or begin studying one of the country’s prized novels made no less than by one of our heroes, that should be more than a milestone of its own.
And that was 2022 for GMA.
This year, the Kapuso network remained as the leading broadcast network in the country, still thanks to the absence of any rival that could equal their reach on television across the archipelago. As for their programming, their shows have also made some progress in terms of quality in storytelling, and even cinematography — a clear indication that improvement comes, albeit slowly.
With regards to the network’s plans in 2023, GMA Public Affairs had already teased theirs in a special content slate announcement in November. Meanwhile, GMA Entertainment is also preparing to finally launch Voltes V: Legacy, a project that has been announced for three New Year Countdowns already. Speaking of New Year, the full slate of 2023 Kapuso shows (at least those they have planned) will be, as usual, aired during the Countdown special.
Also in 2023, the newfound partnership between GMA and the leading content provider in the country and (still, to some degree) rival, ABS-CBN, will expand as they bring the project ‘Unbreak My Heart’ to life. It is expected to star Jodi Sta. Maria, Richard Yap, and Joshua Garcia. Gabbi Garcia is also rumored to be part of the drama series.
Barring any unwanted situations next year, it should be an exciting one for GMA as they continue to explore new opportunities that will further enhance their grid and the station’s overall stature as the leading network in the Philippines.