The Megastar does a swell job in her landmark teleserye
I’ve always admired the Megastar.
Even before her cinematic reign, I was a rabid Sharonian: watching all her movies and buying all her long-playing albums, awed by her prettiness and talent for someone so very young.
More than three decades after I literally swooned over her every appearance in variety shows or films, I remain her constant follower—supporting her throughout her personal and professional journeys that saw her always emerge victorious in the end.
Beyond excited
You can’t imagine my elation when TV5 announced Sharon Cuneta would appear in her first teleserye. I was beyond excited. This would be the the first time Sharon would make a daily appearance on a primetime show.
I was also aware that expectations would go through the roof, particularly on the show’s story and concept, production design, direction and supporting cast.
Will TV5 produce a worthy show for Sharon’s career milestone?
So far, so good
So far, what’s been announced has been delightful and winsome.
“Madam Chairman,” which airs daily on TV5 at 7:30 pm, presents a heartwarming tale of a single mother pressed by the demands of running a family while eventually becoming the head of a barangay (I just watched the show’s premier week).
It’s a dramedy, TV5 veering from the primetime formula of melodrama or fantasy.
The back story
As Babeth de Guzman, Sharon plays mom and dad to 3 kids after her husband Dodong, played by Jay Manalo, abandons them for his mistress, Beverly (Regine Angeles).
In future episodes, we expect to see Babeth wear another hat as barangay chairman, which should add to her current family woes. The dramedy aspires to present a broad view on the Filipino family, culture, friendship, love and (sigh!) politics.
In the episode I saw, Dodong returns to the family home and asks for Babeth’s forgiveness. As Babeth is reduced to tears and hugs her husband thinking he has come back to the family, Dodong resists being pulled into the family home to greet their kids.
Light and funny but serious too
Dodong then drops his bombshell: he says he only came by to get his things. All hell breaks loose after that. Babeth contemplates filing concubinage charges against Dodong and risks the ire of their kids.
On that particular episode, “Madam Chairman” delivered. It was light, funny, yet serious enough to turn our attention to what it was trying to convey.
We should congratulate the show’s creative team, led by director Joel Lamangan and head writer Joey Reyes.
Great performances
Sharon herself was convincing as the struggling Babeth, mirroring the common way Filipinos face their problems: with strength, determination and lots of humor.
Babeth isn’t an outlet for the pent-up heartaches, frustrations and anger we feel when we are faced with incredible circumstances. Instead, she inspires us to face the tough times with utmost poise and with a dose of laughter to keep the spirits up.
Jay Manalo should also be commended as the philandering husband, together with an enjoyable supporting cast composed of Ciara Sotto, Nanette Inventor, Bayani Agbayani, Bearwin Meily, Malou de Guzman, Manny Castaneda, Regine Angeles, Tony Mabesa, Fanny Serrano, Jim Pebanco, Gilleth Sandico, Patani, Glenda Kennedy, Toby Alejar, and the three TV5 young talents, Akihiro Blanco, Shaira Mae dela Cruz, and Byron Ortie, who are starting to make their mark in the industry.
Something amiss
Yet for such a strong cast, there’s still something amiss about this ensemble.
While I admire Jay Manalo for the role of Dodong, I believe the role was definitely made for only one actor: Gabby Concepcion!
Is that too much to ask?
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