2022 has been a blast for the Kapamilya network in terms of their programming and partnerships.
ABS-CBN opened the year with a bang as the much-awaited premiere of ‘The Broken Marriage Vow’ happened in January, so did the announcement of its partnership with Viu to bring the series to more audience in 16 territories. The Viu partnership went further with the broadcast of the Philippine adapration of ‘Flower of Evil’.
After that, in May, viewers saw the first advanced broadcast of a Filipino TV series on Netflix via ‘2 Good 2 Be True’. This also deepens the ties of the network with the platform, which had also been streaming select Kapamilya shows, on top of movies from Star Cinema and other ABS-CBN film outfits.
On free-to-air television, ABS-CBN made strides when its popular variety show ‘It’s Showtime’ returned to national TV via TV5 in July. After which, an investment agreement between the Kapamilya and Kapatid networks was to supposed to happen, only to be canceled in early September.
As far as the news department is concerned, their flagship program ‘TV Patrol’ returned to free TV via A2Z on New Year’s Day 2022, with Noli de Castro’s current affairs show ‘KBYN’ also getting a slot on the said channel. TeleRadyo briefly returned to digital TV in June via A2Z’s DTT frequency, with that practice ending in November.
Perhaps, those events were only the tip of the iceberg in what was a momentous year for the Kapamilyas.
Anyway, let’s now head over to the best programs that they have screened on free, pay, and streaming television this year.
15. Mars Ravelo’s Darna
- Starring: Jane de Leon, Janella Salvador, Joshua Garcia
- Episode count:
- Series run: August 15, 2022 to present
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
Ten years in the making (in terms of all the pre-production for the initially planned film), ABS-CBN’s version of Mars Ravelo’s Darna finally aired this year, replacing the longest-running primetime teleserye ‘FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’. Jane de Leon is in the titular role, while Janella Salvador is the arch-enemy Valentina; Joshua Garcia has also been tapped to play Darna/Narda’s love interest Brian.
For the first two weeks of the show, it was directed by Chito Roño, who was at helm of ABS-CBN’s adaptation of another Mars Ravelo character, Lastikman in 2007. Later on, Avel Sungpuco, who had also directed FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano took over.
For the first few episodes, this iteration of Darna wow-ed viewers with CGI, stunts, cinematography, and the portrayal of first Darna by Iza Calzado, all of which previously not seen on other versions. However, as the story went on, it had become draggy, at times even boring, as there have been little progress to the storyline. Extras (or the villains) were not as impactful as the original Darna villains, leading to the assumption that they could have just been an opening act, more than actual nemesis.
Also, the CGI seen on the first few episodes were not maintained (which was not to be expected to begin with, as fantaseryes run for too long versus mini-series and movies). But that already came to a point where the quality of the output also suffered. Whether that be budgetary or time constraints (or worse, both), we could only hope that they could’ve lessened their dependence to such expensive effects, in favor of practical ones.
While there was a serious attempt to rectify all of those in the second season, it could have been a little bit too late for Darna. However, season 2 is still far better than season 1. We could only just hope that they continue this up until the end.
14. Bola Bola
- Starring: Francine Diaz, Akira Morishita, KD Estrada, Ashton Salvador
- Episode count: 6
- Series run: March 26 to April 10, 2022
- Platform(s): iWantTFC, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z
In this iWantTFC original, we see Francine Diaz portray the character of Thea Baldrama, a plus-sized teenager, who gets attracted to her brother’s bestfriend, Lucas (Akira Morishita). After getting rejected, she begins her journey of losing weight to gain his attention and win his heart.
13. Click, Like, Share Season 3
- Starring: Vivoree Esclito, Elmo Magalona, Jane Oineza, JC Alcantara, Belle Mariano
- Episode count: 4
- Series run: January to February 2022
- Platform(s): iWantTFC
Like its previous seasons, Click, Like, Share season 3 presents stories that depict how reckless usage of social media can lead to danger. Take note that episodes of CLS also feature fantasy elements, which bends the storylines, leading into some unexpected plot twists.
For the third season, Vivoree Esclito, Elmo Magalona and Jane Oineza, JC Alcantara, and Belle Mariano all starred in separate episodes of the show.
12. Hero City Kids Force
- Series run: October 10, 2022 (premiere)
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, iWantTFC
In the animated series, Darna, Lastikman, and Captain Barbell team-up to save Hero City from the evil Dr. Stenberg and Cyborgana. This series also explores how they live their ‘normal’ lives with their Tita Joyce and their robot Georgie.
Initially streamed exclusively on iWantTFC since November 2021, Hero City Kids Force made its way to television in October 2022, running concurrent with the Kapamilya adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s Darna.
11. Beach Bros
- Starring: Kyle Echarri, Brent Manalo, Lance Carr, Sean Tristan, Raven Rigor, Kira Balinger, Chie Filomeno, Angelica Lao
- Episode count: 6
- Series run: July 16 to 31, 2022
- Platform(s): iWantTFC
Set against the backdrop of Baler, Aurora, this youth-oriented series explores the lives of five boys who each has their own aspirations and goals. Dave (Kyke Echarri) meets a mysterious tourist Nicole (Chie Filomeno) who will test him and the friendship that the boys have.
Perhaps, the most notable in the series is the BL (boys love) storyline involving the characters Pete (Raven Rigor) and Jeremy (Sean Tristan), which began from hidden glances and half-meant jokes to a budding romance.
10. Lyric and Beat
- Starring: Andrea Brillantes, Seth Fedelin, Darren Espanto, AC Bonifacio, Kyle Echarri, Angela Ken, Jeremy Glinoga, Sheena Belarmino, Awra Briguela
- Episode count: 8
- Series run: August 10 to September 23, 2022 (iWantTFC)
- Platform(s): iWantTFC / Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z
In celebration of Jonathan Manalo’s 2 decades in the music industry, this Dreamscape production presents the abovementioned cast of young stars in a musical drama on iWantTFC, and later on mainstream TV platforms. The story follows the tale of Lyric and Beat as they follow their dreams of becoming musicians by entering the Philippine National Conservatory of Music — a fictional prestige music school in the country.
Lyric and Beat was one of the three productions unveiled by ABS-CBN Entertainment for iQiyi last year. However, due to the streaming site’s downsizing in the region, the series premiered on iWantTFC.
9. He’s Into Her Season 2
- Starring: Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano
- Episode count: 16
- Series run: April 24 to August 14, 2022
- Platform(s): iWantTFC / Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z
The sequel to the hit He’s Into Her, season 2 follows Maxpein’s and Deib relationship as an official couple, the hurdles they encounter, and how they bounce back stronger. This season also ups the stakes, with much more story arcs and issues discussed, versus the first series.
Despite having lower ratings (at least on TV) than season 1, season 2 proved how the lead stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano are able to take on dramatic roles, with the pair debuting in cinemas via ‘An Inconvenient Love’ after the HIH2’s ending. Apart from that, DonBelle is also gearing up for their first teleserye next year.
8. Run to Me
- Starring: KD Estrada, Alexa Ilacad
- Episode count: 6
- Series run: May 21 to June 25, 2022 (iWantTFC)
- Platform(s): iWantTFC, Kumu / Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z
In Run to Me, we see KDLex starring in a series for the first time. In the story, Jewel (Alexa Ilacad) is a streamer struggling to get her mother’s affection, while Wilson (KD Estrada) works hard to provide for his sick mom. An unfortunate incident makes them cross paths, which later leads to their “co-love-oration”.
Run To Me is a co-production between ABS-CBN Entertainment, Dreamscape, and Kumu.
7. Everybody, Sing! Season 2
- Hosted by: Vice Ganda
- Episode count: 11
- Series run: September 24, 2022 to present
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
Community singing game show Everybody, Sing! returned for a second season this year, still hosted by Vice Ganda. The format was tweaked a bit, with the songbayanan (contestants) being increased from 25 to 50, thanks to relaxed COVID-19 restrictions. The prize money was also doubled from P500,000 in season 1 to P1 million this season.
New games like A-B-Sing, Ayu-Sing Mo, and SingKo Segundo were also introduced during this season.
Sadly and perhaps due to scheduling conflicts, Everybody, Sing! Season 2 had to replay some episodes multiple times over, a far cry from season 1. Despite that, the quality of the show remains the same and as exciting as the previous incarnation.
6. Dream Maker
- Hosted by: Kim Chiu, Ryan Bang
- Episode count: 12 (as of December 25, 2022)
- Series run: November 19, 2022 to present
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, iWantTFC
A collaboration between ABS-CBN, KAMP Korea, and MLD Entertainment, Dream Maker is dubbed as “the search for the next global pop group”. The show starts with 62 Dream Chasers (contestants) who will face the 8 Dream Mentors, of which there are Koreans like Bae Yoon Jung, BEG’s JEA, MBLAQ’s Thunder, and Bae Wan Hee. Meanwhile, the rest are Filipinos, with Angeline Quinto, Bailey May, and Darren Espanto, serving as mentors.
Dream Maker closely resembles Korean survival shows, with challenges, ranking, and even a signal show making up the format. As for ABS-CBN, it is now their second attempt at forming a group through a full-fledged program, with the first being BoybandPH from Pinoy Boyband Superstar.
DM stands out in terms of the Kapamilya network’s programming mix, with the highly ‘Koreanized’ feel of the format. However, and sadly, it distinctly lacks the commercial appeal, due to A2Z’s limited reach and the non-existence of a TV5 telecast.
5. A Family Affair
- Starring: Ivana Alawi, Gerald Anderson, Sam Milby, Jameson Blake, Jake Ejercito
- Episode count: 95
- Series run: June 27 to November 4, 2022
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
Starring Ivana Alawi in her first primetime lead role, A Family Affair is a mystery melodrama created by ABS-CBN Entertainment under Star Creatives. In the series, Alawi’s Cherry Red becomes part of the Estrella clan, to which she married Paco, who is the brother of her ex-beau Dave. The mystery behind the death of Cherry Red’s father then becomes a ‘sore thumb’ not just in her life, but also to the Estrellas.
A Family Affair was previously known as ‘Kahit Minsan Lang’ and had initially planned to star Bea Alonzo, Richard Gutierrez, Rafael Rosell, Christian Bables. Jameson Blake and Edu Manzano, who still became part of A Family Affair, were the holdovers from the original line-up.
4. The Iron Heart
- Starring: Richard Gutierrez, Sue Ramirez, Jake Cuenca
- Episode count: 34 (as of December 29, 2022)
- Series run: November 14, 2022 to present
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
Richard Gutierrez returns to primetime with another action-packed drama series. In ‘Iron Heart’, Gutierrez portrays the role of Apollo who has an unbelievable strength that makes even the strongest of steel bend through his hands. The deaths of his father and other loved ones become his motivation to destruct the very enemy that caused their demise.
Iron Heart serves as Gutierrez’s teleserye comeback after his stint as Lito in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. Moreover, this series is also spelled the return of Maja Salvador in an ABS-CBN drama, after becoming a freelancer in 2020.
3. Flower of Evil
- Starring: Piolo Pascual, Lovi Poe
- Episode count: 32 (original run)
- Series run: June 25 to October 9, 2022 (original run); November 7, 2022 to present (weekday rerun, now including TV5)
- Platform(s): Viu, Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5 (weekday rerun)
Starring Piolo Pascual and Lovi Poe in their first on-screen team-up, Flower of Evil is the adaptation of the 2020 South Korean TV series of the same name. We follow Daniel Villareal as he lives by the persona of Jacob del Rosario, made possible thanks to an event that happened years ago. He builds a family with Iris, who works as an investigator. Later on, she will seek the truth on the lies and deceptions surrounding Daniel and his ‘family’.
Originally airing on other Kapamilya platforms and Viu in June, Flower of Evil made its way to TV5’s Todomax Primetime Singko in November, replacing A Family Affair.
The Philippine adaptation of Flower of Evil equaled, if not surpassed, expectations, thanks to the outstanding cinematography and acting in the series. Perhaps, it could also be one series that we can proudly present to the world in tetms of production value and the output itself.
2. The Broken Marriage Vow
- Starring: Jodi Sta. Maria, Zanjoe Marudo, Sue Ramirez, Zaijian Jaranilla
- Episode count: 107
- Series run: January 24 to June 24, 2022
- Platform(s): Viu, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
An adaptation of the 2015 BBC drama ‘Doctor Foster’, The Broken Marriage Vow stars Jodi Sta. Maria as Jill Ilustre, Zanjoe Marudo as David Ilustre, Sue Ramirez as Lexy Lucero, and Zaijian Jaranilla as Gio Ilustre. TBMV explores the world of a scorned woman who will make her revenge and fight for her dignity, possessions, and her son.
The Broken Marriage Vow is the highest-rated second skot drama of ABS-CBN this year, as well as the most viewed series on Viu during its run.
The series is also exceptional in terms of cinematography and costumes, with most of these aspects having scrutinized by the director herself, Connie Macatuno, together with co-director Andoy Ranay.
As for the actors, they have went on to bag awards for the series, with the most recent being Jodi Sta. Maria’s win in the Asian Academy Creative Awards for Best Actress.
Honorable mentions
Tara, G!
- Starring: Anthony Jennings, Daniela Stranner, Kaori Oinuma, JC Alcantara, CJ Salonga, Zach Castañeda, Vivoree Esclito
- Episode count: 10
- Series run: October 7 to December 9, 2022
- Platform(s): iWantTFC
My Papa Pi
- Starring: Piolo Pascual, Pepe Herrera, Pia Wurtzbach
- Episode count: 13
- Series run: March 19 to June 18, 2022
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, iWantTFC
KBYN
- Hosted by: Noli de Castro
- Series run: April 10, 2022 to present
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TeleRadyo, A2Z, iWantTFC
Idol Philippines Season 2
- Hosted by: Robi Domingo
- Judges: Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano, Chito Miranda, Moira dela Torre
- Episode count: 26
- Series run: June 25 to September 18, 2022
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
Love in 40 Days
- Starring: Loisa Andalio, Ronnie Alonte
- Episode count: 110
- Series run: May 30 to October 28, 2022
- Platform(s): Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
Program milestones
Celebrating Kapamilya programs who have reached new milestone (in terms of longevity) this year.
TV Patrol’s 35th Anniversary
The World Tonight’s 56th Anniversary
*Removing the 14 years the program was absent due to Martial Law, The World Tonight is poised to take two titles within its 56th year. One as the Philippines’ longest-running newscast and another for the English newscast category, both by April 2023. It will be dethroning RPN NewsWatch which ran uninterrupted for 42 years, 4 months, and 29 days.
So long, farewell!
We bid goodbye to the long-running shows that stopped airing in 2022.
FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (September 28, 2015 to August 12, 2022) | Philippines’ longest running action drama and primetime series
Maalaala Mo Kaya (May 15, 1991 to December 10, 2022) | Asia’s longest-running drama anthology program
Best Kapamilya Show of 2022: 2 Good 2 Be True
- Starring: Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Ronaldo Valdez
- Episode count: 130
- Series run: May 13 to November 11, 2022
- Platform(s): Netflix, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC
A boy-meets-girl story? Check.
A romantic-comedy drama? Check.
A KathNiel TV series? Check.
2 Good 2 Be True is the comeback TV series of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (popularly known as the loveteam KathNiel). The couple previously starred in the 2017 series La Luna Sangre. In 2G2BT, the tandem returned to their romantic-comedy roots, with 2013’s Got To Believe being their last on television.
As far as the story goes, 2G2BT is a standout as it drains most of the clichés to create a storyline that is atypical for teleseryes. While some may disagree to that, [spoiler alert] think about scenes where an actual gun had to be fired by one character to another, or a kidnapping scene that leads to an abandoned warehouse? Surely, those weren’t present in the series.
The series also stands out as it is the only light-hearted (for most of its run) drama to premiere this year, with most of its contemporaries going the darker route. Despite that, 2G2BT was able to tackle complex issues like land grabbing, law, and even medical topics like stroke and Alzheimer’s disease.
On top of everything else, they are also able to make the plot very unpredictable, which is quite complicated to do for a light drama / rom-com series like this.
A testament to the success of the series is its 30+ week inclusion in Netflix Philippines’ Top 10 TV series, as well as the sure-fire hits that had come out of OST: Kumpas and Babalik Sa’yo, both by Moira dela Torre. Its finale mall show also gathered thousands of fans, which translates 2G2BT’s success beyond the screens.
That was ABS-CBN in 2022.
In 2023, the Kapamilya network is expected to remain a huge content provider for the many platforms that it already has and to some new partners, as well. For example, it has reached a collaboration with GMA Network for a series titled ‘Unbreak My Heart’ starring ABS-CBN actors Jodi Sta. Maria and Joshua Garcia, with GMA talents Richard Yap and (still rumored to be) Gabbi Garcia.
Internationally, they are also poised to launch for the global market Arjo Atyade’s series ‘Cattleya Killer’. Meanwhile, Sellblock with Jericho Rosales is also in production, with no new updates about the said project available at the moment.
Back here in the Philippines, on its mainstream platforms, it is business as usual, with most of its programming plans (at least for the first quarter ot first half of 2022) already been unveiled in its recently-concluded Christmas Special.
More than two years after its franchise expiration and eventual denial, ABS-CBN remains as a leading Filipino content provider to several traditional and digital platforms. In 2023, it is surely going to stay that way as more productions come into fruition.