Concluding episode dominates Twitter buzz
MANILA, Philippines -- Three generations caught in conflict finally find peace, as the cycle turns and daughters become mothers at the conclusion of the series dubbed "Ang Teleserye ng Pamilyang Pilipino."
In the final episode of "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" aired Friday night, once-warring members of the same family are seen finally united as they welcome the next generation in their kin.
A year since a plot for revenge threatened to take her life, Theresa (Cherry Pie Picache) happily witnesses the twins she had born as a surrogate mother building families of their own.
Once driven apart by bitter rivalry, sisters Celyn (Kim Chiu) and Margaux (Maja Salvador) together welcome their own babies with their respective husbands, Liam (Xian Lim) and Ethan (Enchong Dee).
The christening of the children, who were born on the same day, sees the gathering of friends and family, who despite their past differences, have finally forgiven each other.
Celyn and Margaux's biological mother Beatrice (Janice de Belen), who has reconciled with her half-sister Theresa, is seen at the side of her husband Julio (Ariel Rivera) after a series of conflicts cost them their marriage.
Theresa's father, Zach (Ronaldo Valdez), likewise forms an amicable relationship with Yolanda (Pilar Pilapil), the mother of his daughter, and whose husband, Lucas (Eddie Gutierrez), now repents for his wrongdoings behind bars.
Theresa and her daughters, however, continue to mourn the death of Diego (Alex Medina), her son with Mio (John Regala) who was accidentally killed by his own father out of rage.
A year has passed since Mio was killed by Julio in order to save his family, who the former had kidnapped to exact revenge on Theresa -- the woman he thought had left him and their son without any feeling of regret.
Celyn and Margaux, with their husbands Liam and Ethan, build their own family, as seen in the final episode of 'Ina, Kapatid, Anak' aired June 15
Over time and as the dust settles, Celyn and Margaux finally realize their dream of having a complete family.
"Ngayon magsisimula kami ng bagong buhay, ng isang bagong paglalakbay bilang mga bagong ina," the sisters are heard saying in the series' final scenes.
"Bilang magkapatid, natupad namin ang pangarap namin -- ang isang buo at masayang pamilya. At para sa mga anak namin, pinapangako namin na matatapos na ang hidwaan sa pamilya namin.
"Haharapain namin itong bagong yugto ng buhay namin na puno ng pag-asa, pagmamahal, at nang may takot sa Diyos, at kasama ang mga taong pinakamahalaga sa amin, ang aming pamilya," they say.
Impact
Under the direction of Jojo Saguin and Don Cuaresma and with a premiere telecast in October last year, "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" was one of the country's most watched television programs throughout its eight-month run.
Kim Chiu and Maja Salvador as they appeared in the episode 'Gabi ng Pagpapakilala.' TV grab
According to data from multi-national market research group Kantar Media, which represents 100% of the total Philippine TV viewing population, the series consistently ranked in the top 3 programs with the highest ratings in both urban and rural areas, frequently taking the No. 1 spot.
In the months leading up to its finale, "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" was neck-and-neck in ratings with the relatively new "Juan dela Cruz," another Kapamilya series, which has enjoyed aggressive promotion since its debut.
The high points in the series' ratings also interestingly coincided with real-life controversies tied to its lead actresses, Chiu and Salvador, who, off-screen, had reportedly severed ties as best friends over actor Gerald Anderson.
Maja Salvador and Kim Chiu as their characters in a scene aired in May
Anticipation for pivotal scenes between Celyn and Margaux, such as the much-hyped "Gabi ng Pagpapakilala," was also tied to public interest in the actresses' relationship in real life.
The said episode marked the first time the series registered a nationwide rating above 40%.
At one point, series writers David Diuco and Danica Domingo addressed the apparent parallelisms between Salvador and Chiu's scenes and the actresses' growing estrangement off-screen, saying the soap opera had already been planned to feature the intense sibling rivalry before any real-life controversy erupted.
Avid followers of the series, however, did not mince words in taking sides between Salvador and Chiu, as well as their characters.
On Twitter, the same fans shared their reaction to Friday's final episode at rapid pace to make several terms and hashtags related to "Ina, Kapatid, Anak" trend locally and worldwide on the popular micro-blogging platform.
Here are some of the tweets reacting to the turn of events in the series' finale:
