What is the secret behind Maalaala Mo Kaya’s longevity?

ABS-CBN’s longest-running drama anthology, Maalaala Mo Kaya, has been on the air for 30 years. It first aired in May 1991, but what is the secret behind its longevity?

On September 28, Maalaala Mo Kaya creatives shared their thoughts on why MMK lasted for 30 years.

According to Director Raz De La Torre, MMK evolves as the times change.

“I think one of the gifts that MMK is able to bring to the audiences is because nag-e-evolve din ‘yung show. Dahil tunay na buhay ng mga ordinary Filipinos ang napapanood natin lagi sa MMK, hindi nauubusan ng kuwento.”

He also said that MMK host and former ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio already became part of Filipino Pop Culture.

“There’s a huge factor that it’s Ma’am Charo who is the face of the show. Over the years, we’ve learned to [kind of] hear her as a voice that we are comfortable with, that we trust di ba?

“Kaya nga parang pag naglolokohan tayo, ‘ay nako, isusulat ko kay Ma’am Charo.’ It’s Pop Culture already eh.”

Headwriter Arah Jell Badayos said that MMK’s means of collecting stories also changed with the times.

“Nagbabago din ‘yung pagkalap ng MMK ng mga sulat from letter senders. Of course, syempre noong 30 years ago, di ba? Di pa uso email, di pa uso internet, of course talagang ano ‘yan, kinukwento noong mga nauna sa amin, sako-sako ng mga sulat ang dumarating sa ABS.”

She also noted that MMK is ahead of its time in portraying social issues.

“It also serves as an indirect commentary on the things that are happening in the society. Minsan nga ahead pa. People always think, na luma ang MMK or conservative ang MMK. But actually, madami nang kwento ang MMK, even before ng mga kwento ng LGBTQ. Nadi-discuss na nila ‘yan even before, kahit hindi pa ako nakasalang sa show na ‘to.”

Badayos also confirmed they are faithful in portraying the life story of the people they represent in the anthology series.

“Kung iisipin very faithful. Of course, may creative license sa mga ibang linya or super konting eksena. Kung titignan talaga siya, very faithful kami. 

“As in, kung mayroon mang kaming hindi naiintindihan or may gusto kaming i-tweak, we always go back to the letter senders and ask if it is okay. Or if it is still truthful doon sa experience niyo.”

Head Researcher Kevin Alambra agreed with Badayos and said that MMK’s style of collecting stories has modernized.

“Relatively young ang research team ng MMK. In terms of relatability, ‘yun nga eh, tama sumasabay din doon sa modernization even from traditional media to the present, ‘yung process din ng MMK ganon. Apart from the people behind it, ‘yung proseso ng pagkalap ng kwento sumasabay din.”

Director Chad Vidanes described MMK as ‘Timeless’ and emphasized the anthology series’ relatability.

“Very timeless po talaga kasi ang MMK and it tackles po talaga the story of the modern day Filipino. 

“You get the attention of audiences by the relatability of someone. But this, it’s weekly thing for a Filipino. So, para siyang staple na talaga in a week, I get to hear the Filipino people’s voice, their lives. And you get to relate, and you get to learn from it.”

As for October, MMK shares new stories of love, hope, and mystery with five different episodes PBB Ralph, Mata, Anting-Anting, Team Tarah, and Anino. The said episodes star Jeremiah Lisbo, Lotlot de Leon, Miles Ocampo, Michelle Vito, Kim Chiu, Bela Padilla, and Zanjoe Marudo.

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