Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin
Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin (International title: Forever My Love / transl. You Are the Only One I Will Love) is a 2017 Philippine drama television series starring Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, Jake Cuenca and Coleen Garcia.[2][3][4][5][6][7][8] The series premiered on ABS-CBN's PrimeTanghali noontime block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from May 1, 2017 to January 26, 2018,[9][10][11] replacing Langit Lupa.[12] The triathlon drama marks Chiu and Anderson's reunion project and TV comeback,[4][5] and their first daytime drama.[9][10] It was replaced by Sana Dalawa ang Puso on its timeslot.
| Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | |
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 Title card | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Creative director(s) |
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| Starring |
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| Opening theme | "How Did You Know" by Daryl Ong[1] |
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| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language(s) | Filipino |
| No. of seasons | 3 |
| No. of episodes | 195 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
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| Producer(s) | Ethel M. Espiritu |
| Production location(s) | Marikina, Philippines |
| Editor(s) |
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| Running time | 28–36 minutes |
| Production company(s) | Dreamscape Entertainment Television |
| Distributor | ABS-CBN International Distribution |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABS-CBN |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Original release | May 1, 2017 – January 26, 2018 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
Plot
This fictional drama teleseries follows the story of Bianca Agbayani (Francine Diaz) and Gabriel Villoria (Yogo Singh) who develop a special bond as young children in Zambales. They part ways when Bianca's family move to Manila. Gabriel (Gerald Anderson) and his family relocate to Manila more than a decade later when he pursues his studies.
In Manila, Gabriel juggles work, studies, earns his business degree, and becomes a triathlete. Bianca (Kim Chiu) obtains her accounting certification and becomes a promising young athlete like her mother. Bianca is scouted by TigerShark Energy Drink president, Carlos de la Vega (Jake Cuenca) to be their new endorser. A chance encounter at a triathlon event organized by TigerShark reunites Bianca and Gabriel and they fall in love. Although everyone within their respective families are happy about Gabriel and Bianca's rekindled relationship, their love faces threats by secrets of the past.
Bianca's mother, Maila Salcedo (Bing Loyzaga/Carla Humphries) was once an Olympic Triathlete, picked to represent her country at the ASEAN games. During a practice run, she is physically assaulted, resulting to permanent limb damage that ruins her career as a professional athlete. Her best friend Victoria Quintana (Ayen Munji-Laurel/Bangs Garcia) takes her spot in the Philippine team and garners the honor and celebrity status that comes with this national achievement. No one suspects fellow Philippine Team Triathlete Rigor Villoria (Daniel Fernando/Edgar Allan Guzman) as Maila's assailant, who commits the crime so that Victoria can take Maila's spot in the team. Rigor is a persistent suitor of Victoria who gets his way with Victoria with a one-night stand that results in a pregnancy.
Rigor is no match against another suitor, Roman de la Vega (Michael de Mesa/TJ Trinidad) a handsome and wealthy businessman. After a two-year courtship, six months of which Roman spends away in Europe for business commitments, Victoria and Roman get married. Shortly before their marriage, Roman learns he has a natural son from a former liaison, Clara Rivera, who dies in childbirth.
Away in Europe for the most part of her pregnancy, Roman does not detect anything. She delivers her son Gabriel just before Roman returns for their wedding and arranges to leave her son with Rigor. It was at this time when Roman's natural child surfaces and Victoria agreed to accept his natural son. Recognizing the opportunity to raise her son as a privileged and wealthy de la Vega, Victoria and Rigor swap Roman's son with their natural son.
Thus, the infant Gabriel assumes the identity of Roman's natural child, Carlos, and grows up in privilege and affluence. He is loved and overindulged by his stepmother, and a disappointment to his father who does not approve of his entitled ways.
Meanwhile, Rigor brings Roman's natural child Carlos to Zambales and gives him to his mother Lydia (Gina Pareño) to raise. Thus the infant Carlos assumes the identity of Rigor's natural son, Gabriel. In contrast to the other infant, Gabriel grows up in poverty, but is surrounded by a grandmother and an extended family who love, nurture and support him.
To cover her complicity in the infant swaps, Victoria frames Rigor as a drug dealer, sent to prison on a life sentence. For the next three decades, Victoria's life is perfect: she has wealth, social standing, a husband who loves her, and a stepson she dotes on. But Rigor is released from prison on a technicality and returns to Victoria for his rights to be close to her and their child. Her obvious anxieties over Rigor's sudden emergence into her life raises flags for Roman who suspects his wife of keeping secrets.
Rigor's return also strains the happy home Gabriel shares with his grandmother, Lola Ganda. Rigor openly dislikes Gabriel, who is disappointed over the cold reception he receives from his father. Rigor dislikes Bianca and purposely avoids rekindling a friendship with Maila, who is keen on catching up with her former teammate. Maila has no idea that the man who ended her career so abruptly is Rigor, the father of her daughter's suitor.
Roman's and Victoria's world becomes even smaller when Roman takes an interest in TigerShark. With no inkling that his natural son is just within his orbit, Roman decides to team up the popular sports couple as endorsers for Tiger Shark. Carlos is not happy with his father's interference in Tiger Sharks and he considers Gabriel an intrusion in his life particularly with his plans to court Bianca.
Still suspicious about his wife's past with Rigor, Roman investigates Victoria and learns of their previous relationship. Furious at her lies, he considers banishing her. Carlos is pained to see his mother's suffer, but he discovers his true paternity. The significance of this new information terrifies him. Concerned over losing his wealth and status, Carlos seeks Rigor's help to protect his mother's secret and eliminate Gabriel from their lives.
Victoria dies in a tragic accident. Fighting off Rigor's advances, she bounces off the rails of the hotel exit stairwell, falling several floors to her death. The suspicious death is blamed on Gabriel. Despite Carlos’ and Rigor's collusion implicating Gabriel with paid witnesses and manufactured evidence, Gabriel has a solid alibi to refute the charges and is cleared.
The worlds of the two brothers collide when Lola Lydia discovers Gabriel's true paternity and admits the truth to Roman, who orders DNA tests for Carlos and Gabriel. The DNA results confirm Gabriel is Roman's natural child and Carlos is not. Roman proceeds to formally adopt Gabriel, who now share the same legal status as Carlos. Carlos is not pleased with recent developments and schemes with Rigor to bring down Gabriel. Roman suspects Rigor has direct knowledge about Victoria's death, in Maila's accident, and with her kidnapping and subsequent fatal accident. Escalating conflicts between the brothers lead Roman to expel Carlos from the family and the company.
Roman grants Gabriel a management position in the company and Gabriel flourishes as a dela Vega. Carlos, on the other hand, gambles and loses his P100 Million inheritance and his wife Isabel suffers a mid term miscarriage. He blames all his misfortunes on Gabriel and vows to destroy him.
Without access to the de la Vega resources to pay his massive gambling debt, Carlos and Rigor strike a deal with the loan shark. They intercept an illegal courier carrying a large cache of smuggled diamonds belonging to a South African syndicate. Carlos discovers the illegal stash, steals some of the diamonds and plants the leftover cache in Gabriel's car to implicate him with the syndicate. As expected, the syndicate kidnaps Gabriel and try to kill him but he escapes with the help of Sylvia (Isay Alvarez-Seña), a neighbor who is suspiciously following him. Sylvia turns out to be his birth mother, Clara Rivera, who was secretly looking after him. A DNA test confirms the truth.
Roman hides Gabriel and pretends that his son is missing and presumed killed by the syndicate. Suspicious that Carlos’ sudden wealth has a connection with the syndicate, and using the resources of law enforcement assets, Gabriel obtains valuable intel exposing the loan shark and smuggling operations. In the meantime, a whistle blower admits to Roman about Carlos’ direct involvement in the recent company sabotage and plans for a corporate takeover. There is enough evidence to convict Carlos and Rigor to keep them in jail for a long time.
Bianca and Gabriel's joy over the birth of their son changes to fear when their child is kidnapped. This time, the two usual suspects have nothing to do with it because Carlos is held in custody and Rigor is fighting for his life from a gunshot wound. But there is one other person determined to hurt Bianca. Faking her pregnancy, Isabel had planned to take revenge by stealing Bianca's baby. Fortunately, her attempt to leave the country with Bianca's son is thwarted at the airport. Isabel is caught and placed in a mental facility.
At the prison hospital, Rigor dies but not before he calls his son on the phone to say goodbye and makes peace with his mother. He never apologized for his actions.
Accepting his mistakes towards Carlos when he was growing up, Roman visits Carlos in prison and asks for his forgiveness. He tells Carlos he will always be his father and promises to visit him everyday. Overwhelmed with his father's declaration of love, father figure, validation he craved all his life, Carlos asked his father to forgive him and wish that he is his real father than Rigor.
Gabriel and Bianca gather around the baptismal font during their son's christening. Surrounded by all their loved ones, they look forward to a bright future.
Cast and characters
Main
- Kim Chiu as Bianca Agbayani-Dela Vega
- Gerald Anderson as Gabriel Villoria / Gabriel Rivera-Dela Vega
- Jake Cuenca as Carlos Dela Vega / Carlos Quintana-Villoria
- Coleen Garcia as Isabel Reyes-Villoria
Supporting
- Michael de Mesa as Roman Dela Vega
- Daniel Fernando[13] as Rigor Villoria
- Gina Pareño as Lydia “Lola Ganda / Nanay Lydia” Villoria
- Dante Rivero as Ben Salcedo
- Isay Alvarez-Seña as Sylvia Macaraig / Clara De Jesus-Rivera
- Ana Marin as Natalia De Jesus-Rivera
- Andrea Brillantes as Stephanie "Steph" Chan
- Grae Fernandez as Joselito "Jay-Jay" Agbayani, Jr.
- Ana Roces as Sandra Chan
Recurring
- Via Antonio as Marilyn
- Nicco Manalo as Olsen
- Juan Miguel Severo as Simeon
- Ivan Carapiet as Derek Reyes
- Rolando Inocencio as Popoy
- Joel Saracho as Putot
- Dolly de Leon as Chuchay
- Ramon Christopher as Dr. Josh Reyes
- Allan Garcia as Atty. Macalintal
- Mike Gayoso as Bianca and JJ's Father
Former
Main
- Arci Muñoz as Alexandra “Alex” Flores / Alexandra “Alex” Torres
- JC Santos as Percy Manicad
Supporting
- Ayen Munji-Laurel as Victoria Quintana-Dela Vega
- Bing Loyzaga as Maila Salcedo-Agbayani
- Recurring
- Gerald Pizzaras as Coach Ambet
- Marina Benipayo as Anita
Guests
- Jong Cuenco as President of Laban
- Pinky Amador as Filomena Flores-Torres
Special participation
- Francine Diaz as young Bianca Agbayani
- Yogo Singh as young Gabriel Villoria
- Luke Alford as young Carlos Dela Vega
- Carla Humphries as young Maila Salcedo-Agbayani
- Bangs Garcia as young Victoria Quintana-Dela Vega
- Edgar Allan Guzman as young Rigor Villoria
- TJ Trinidad as young Roman Dela Vega
- Ricardo Cepeda as young Ben Salcedo
- Icon Nourish as young Olsen
- Alex Castro as young Joselito "Joey" Agbayani, Sr.
- Dominic Ochoa as Joselito "Joey" Agbayani, Sr.
Production
Development
The triathlon soap opera was first announced on April 27, 2016 with a tentative title Because You Love Me. It was supposed to be topbilled by Yen Santos, Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca. After the filming postponed for many reasons, Santos was later pulled out from the cast and moved to Magpahanggang Wakas, while some of the scenes already shot in Bulalacao, Oriental Mindoro will not be used anymore. Cuenca and Anderson remained part of the series, while ABS-CBN tapped Kim Chiu to play the role previously given to Santos. During a media announcement on October 24, 2016, Dreamscape revealed the project Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin and its cast, thus serving as Chiu and Anderson's reunion project. "Kimerald is Back" trended on Twitter for several hours after the announcement.[5]
Filming for Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin began in October 26, 2016. The role of Lydia was originally to be portrayed by Helen Gamboa,[14] but was replaced by her Tayong Dalawa co-star Gina Pareño.
Casting
The series marks the third collaboration between Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson and Jake Cuenca as a love triangle. The three also reunites with Gina Pareño eight years after Tayong Dalawa, and Michael de Mesa ten years after Sana Maulit Muli. Meanwhile, the drama is also Cuenca's reunion and first on-screen team up with Coleen Garcia who he once worked with in the Philippine adaptation of the Colombian telenovela, Pasión de Amor.
On late September 2017, Arci Muñoz and JC Santos joined the cast as special guests for the drama's new chapter as third wheels for Chiu and Anderson. It was Muñoz's mini-reunion with Cuenca and Garcia.
Timeslot
Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin was originally confirmed to be part of Primetime Bida evening block, but was later on debunked by the management in favor of the return of Korean dramas on primetime such as Love in the Moonlight and Hwarang. In late April 2017, ABS-CBN announced the triathlon drama will replace Langit Lupa on May 1, 2017,[10] in a pre-noontime slot right before It's Showtime, as part of PrimeTanghali noontime block.[9] Many fans were very dismayed by the management decision afterwards.[15][16]
Reception
Ratings
| Pilot Episode | Finale Episode | Peak | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17.0% May 1, 2017[17] |
22.6% January 26, 2018[18] |
22.6% January 26, 2018[18] |
TBD |
Awards and nominations
| Year | Awards Critics/ Association | Category | Recipient(s)/ Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Daytime Drama Series | Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin | Nominated |
| Best Drama Actor | Gerald Anderson | Nominated | ||
| Best Drama Actress | Kim Chiu | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor | Daniel Fernando | Won |
Soundtrack
The drama's main theme music is "How Did You Know" performed by Daryl Ong.[1] A Tagalog cover version of the song entitled "Paano Mo Nalaman" is also performed by Maris Racal.
See also
- List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
- List of drama series of ABS-CBN
References
- Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin OST "How Did You Know" Music Video by Daryl Ong. ABS-CBN Entertainment. April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin Full Trailer: Coming Soon on ABS-CBN!. ABS-CBN Entertainment. April 8, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
- "KIM, GERALD FIGHT FOR LOVE AND DREAMS IN TV COMEBACK IKAW LANG ANG IIBIGIN". abscbnpr. April 25, 2017. Archived from the original on April 26, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- "Kim, Gerald reunite for new series Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin". ABS-CBN News. October 24, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- Buccat, Rhys (October 24, 2016). "Fans turn nostalgic on new 'Kimerald' teleserye". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- "KimXi fans urged to support new soap with Gerald". ABS-CBN News. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- Buan-Deveza, Reyma (October 25, 2016). "What Maja thinks about Kim-Gerald reunion project". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
- "Why Kim, Gerald agreed to reunion project". ABS-CBN News. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin: Starting May 1 before It's Showtime!. ABS-CBN Entertainment. April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
- "Kimerald's new series to premiere on Labor Day". ABS-CBN News. April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- Dimaculangan, Jocelyn (May 2, 2017). "Kim Chiu mistakenly promotes Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin as primetime series". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- Anarcon, James Patrick (January 5, 2018). "Will Jodi-Robin-Richard show replace Kimerald teleserye Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin?". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
- "Daniel Fernando back on TV with new series". ABS-CBN News. April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- "Helen Gamboa makes teleserye comeback in Kim-Gerald series". ABS-CBN News. October 25, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2016.
- Nerisa Almo (April 25, 2017). "Kim, Gerald react to timeslot of Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin; Gerald asks, "Bakit pa kami magrereklamo?"". PEP.ph. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- James Patrick Anarcon (April 25, 2017). "Kim Chiu posts cryptic quote amid controversial daytime slot of Kimerald reunion". PEP.ph. Retrieved April 25, 2017.
- "Maraming Salamat, Kapamilya! #ILAITakboNgBuhay #IkawLangAngIibigin". Instagram. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
- "NATIONAL TV RATINGS (January 25-28, 2018)".