Everything That Happened In Making Of The ‘2 Good 2 Be True’ Series
Fresh off the series finale, we spoke to the show's lead creatives on what it was like working with KathNiel and Ronaldo Valdez and crafting a fresh, heartwarming love story that fans simply adored
With so much content and so many programs out in the world today, not to mention so many networks and platforms, there seems to be no shortage of good TV. There's just something to watch for everybody, any vibe or mood. However, every once in a while, a great TV show comes along that goes above being just "something to watch" and becoming, in and of itself, a force for good and change.
Starring Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, and Ronaldo Valdez, 2 Good 2 Be True was exactly that kind of TV series—it transcended being a fun, entertaining show to watch and became something truly special. Beyond the fantastic cast of actors, great production, and thoughtful storytelling, 2 Good 2 Be True has already become a classic in its own right. Its audience sharing just how much their lives have changed (and for the better) ever since Ali, Eloy, and Lolo Hugo came into the picture.
2 Good 2 Be True has all the elements of what you look in great TV, and then delivers even more. It began enthralling audiences with its unique and special point of view, giving the love story and family drama genres a fresh perspective. It kept everyone eagerly anticipating episodes every week with its interesting and relatable characters. No matter how big (or small) the role a character played, each were multidimensional and gave substance to the story.
Then, of course, the storyline captivated audiences from the very beginning, with a good mix of mystery and conflict that saw the show's characters—in particular Ali, Eloy, and Lolo Hugo—grow and learn from the experiences and challenges they face throughout the series.
Fresh off the spectacular series finale, we spoke to the show's lead creatives on what it was like working with seasoned actors such as KathNiel and Ronaldo Valdez, crafting a fresh, heartwarming love story that fans adored, and if we'll be getting a season two any time soon. Below, our exclusive interview with Director Mae Cruz, Creative Manager Mel Del Rosario, and Head Writer Denise O'Hara.
2 Good 2 Be True is a show that resonated with the audience through its five month run, getting them to tune in religiously and follow Ali and Eloy’s relatable story. What do you think made the series extra special and why do you think audiences loved it so much?
Direk Mae: It really went beyond being a KathNiel show. It was, ano na siya, family drama. The writers gave attention, paid attention, to every character. Every character stood out. And we were blessed to have an excellent, excellent cast that gave life to these characters. As in, they’re all endearing characters, they’re all memorable characters, and they’re all relatable characters. I think that’s very important. And it appealed to everyone. There’s a bit of each character in you. Or you see your parents, or your grandparents, of your neighbor, or your kabarkada… So that’s why, you want keep on watching because you’re interested in all of them. Even in the littlest details.We’re also just so happy that the other love stories worked. Na whatever happened to each of them, the [audience] was interested and they were hooked. And they were also wondering, kasi there’s this part na we never showed the wife of Matt Evans… so he would always just be on the phone, or he would just get text messages, right. And you know that the viewers are invested kasi some are commenting na, “I’m really curious who the wife is! Ano itsura niya, is she ever gonna show up? Maybe meron siyang link to the mystery.”
Aside from the characters, it’s a good mix of heart warming stories and there’s that mystery that keeps you on the edge. And of course there’s that romance, to make hearts flutter, and ano naman yan, bread and butter of KathNiel… that’s the strength. But, ang unique din dito, is the medico-legal aspect. That’s such a plus, kasi that’s new. And it was well-incorporated into the story, na it’s not just na “we’re teaching you, we’re ramming it down your throats” but it’s incorporated into the story and invested ka rin emotionally. It’s not just like you’re hearing these medico-legal facts, you’re hooked kasi it’s affecting the characters. Because you’re invested in the characters, you want to know more about it. It’s very subtle, it’s like, hey we’re trying to teach this, this is a teaching moment. Pero hindi siya hard sell. Hindi rin hard core na it’s in your face that you’re learning these things. You’re nervous about the character of Ali getting caught by the evil guys, then she’s going to do CPR, and then you witness the CPR… it was well-written, it was well-incorporated in the middle of everything. I think that’s a good mix of all that.
Producer Mel Del Rosario: I think it is something new for Daniel and Kathryn—a different kind of mix of feel good, family drama, and an unlikely love story, may love triangle din kasi si Eloy – Ali with Lolo Hugo in between. Maraming nahook sa teleserye kasi minahal nila hindi lang si Eloy, Ali at Lolo kundi pati mga staff ni Lolo sa mansion at mga pamilya at kaibigan sa Purok 11. Natutuwa daw sila sa samahan nila Eloy, Red, Ays at Tox, nakakarelate sila sa pamilya ni Eloy at Ali.
Head Writer Denise O'Hara: First of all, we have the number 1 love team. So I guess miss siya ng mga tao. But more importantly, kasi very real ang mga pinortray nila, and I guess that resonated with a lot of [the audience]. And if you notice yung dalawa, very aspirational [the characters]. I think yun yung sa pinaka hinawakan ng audience, yung pagiging aspirational nila, the way that they worked hard but not just for themselves, but also for their family. Napaka-strong kasi yung sense of family sa dalawang characters [of Ali and Eloy] and yung sense of community na pamilya mo doon sa part ni Daniel and part ni Kathryn. Yung pagsasakrapisyo sa pamilya and the way you stick together through hard times. The way we forgive each other, the way we trust each other, pagdating sa pamilya, di ba? Yun. So I think yun yung pinakahinahawaakan ng mga tao… those values are very Filipino, di ba? Yun yung I think kung saan kumapit ang audience… kasi aspirational siya.
What was it like working on all 130 episodes together? Did you encounter any challenges in lock-in and on the set and how did you overcome them working together?
Direk Mae: It was like, we were risking our lives. We’re out here. Parang ang feeling mo, bayani ka talaga. Frontliners! We’re risking our lives, we’re heroes! (Laughs.)
Pero parang, just to set it up… it was so difficult coz you know, that’s KathNiel. And you can’t just put them in public places, running the risk of people running into them. So parang we really had to get locations that were… yun studios, we had to build the sets. We couldn’t shoot in hospitals and Ali’s character is a nurse—hello. Where are we going to film this? And the new protocols, for the pandemic, we can only work for 12 hours a day unlike before, we had longer hours. So locations had to be close to each other. Or you know, we had to keep them close to each other talaga. We had to build sets, we had to choose locations na contained. We also had seniors! So we had to think of them too. Ang daming considerations. It was difficult, finding houses that would allow us to shoot. Na walang tao. That was one major challenge, when we were starting, just to get it off the ground. And then, finally, we were taping.
One time, we were doing a tracking shot, and we made a wrong turn. And this was the reclamation area, CCP grounds, and we made a wrong turn sa area na traffic. So DJ’s window was open, and siyempre, may mga nakamotor, may nakajeep. And they started realizing, “oh my god, si Daniel Padilla!” and they’re all screaming, they’re all approaching. Siyempre, yung camera men namin nag-jump galing sa pick up na he was following just to secure him. Kasi siyempre, Covid pa yan eh. Eh walang Covid Covid sa fans! Deadma sila. Buwis buhay just to get a picture. (Laughs.) So anyway, so those were the risks.
Next, of course, hindi makakaalis na some people were getting sick. And so, we’re already locked in. And we do tests before coming in the bubble. And that’s the only time you’ll find out, like some people will realize na “ay may covid pala siya!” And their characters are written for na. So what are we going to do? So writers would have to adjust the stories. Like, for example, certain scenes. Tawang tawa kami. Like there’s this one, we shot the head of the scene in the last cycle, maybe cycle 5. And the scene was, the helpers are preparing the dinner, and they’re setting it up sa background of the veranda. And the main characters were talking sa foreground. But you see in the background na nagmomove sila. Next cycle, when we were going to do the rest of the scenes, biglang nagpositive yung mga nasa background. We had to reshoot the whole thing, because only one of the three made it. We had to write scenes to explain why they disappeared, because they are very much part of the story. Every day nga, parang cliff hanger. You never know what to expect. The actors were coming in… they don't come in all at the same time. They take the tests separately. And parang yung feeling, pasok ba sila sa finals? Parang Miss Universe! Every day, we’re thinking, 'okay ba siya, clear?' Or someone got sick during the break, in between cycles, and we’re waiting for them to get cleared. So you’re still [on the edge] thinking, will they make it? Will they make it to the bubble? It’s not just Covid, may iba ibang sakit. Different reasons. So we had to adjust along the way. It’s extra difficult to shoot being locked in, because you really need to be prepared when you’re in the bubble.
[Shooting 2 Good 2 Be True has been] different from anything I’ve experienced. And I think this experience is something that we will carry for the rest of our lives because, of course, we’re hoping that this pandemic is coming to a close. And we’re going back to normal, what I understand is that we’re going back to our usual taping schedules. We’re not locked in na, naguuwi na. I think this experience is unique and it’s really one for the books.
Mel Del Rosario: Nakakapagod na masaya kasi kahit mahirap buoin ang kwento at gawin ang 26 weeks scripts sulit naman pagnapapanuod namin. Moreso the reaction of the audience is what fuels the creative team. Most challenging was how to churn out good scripts week after week. We were constanly asking ourselves: Paano pa pagagandahin? Anong bagong pwedeng gawin ni Daniel at Kathryn sa characters nila? Paano babalansihen yun kilig na tama sa age at characters ni Eloy at Ali? Paano ang tamang timpla ng drama, feel good, at comedy?
On writing and crafting the story of Ali and Eloy, what were the main inspirations you and your team had? Did you write these characters with Kath and DJ in mind?
Denise O'Hara: Given naman yun, when we accepted the project. Medyo na madami na silang ginawa so we have to make their love story more mature, di ba? More… hindi na sila yung pang high school kiligan. So very real, very mature ang problems nila, very adulting. You know, the way they pursued their dreams. I think isa yung sa pinakastrength ng show na you have two characters struggling to balance their relationship with their families and their dreams and their jobs. So yun, very real yun. Yun yung isa sa guiding principles namin: let’s make this love story real, mature, and adult.
What was it like to work with Kath and DJ together on set? Any memorable experiences taping and collaborating with this star duo you can share?
Direk Mae: I think what’s different, from all the other projects that we worked on together, is the… this sounds so cliche but we always say, they’re mature na, iba na ang attake. We always say that. But it’s different in the sense na they’re adults now and they are firm about their beliefs, about what they stand for or what they believe in. Yung “I’m not gonna do that”, “I’m not gonna say that anymore” and after about a gazillion romcoms that they’ve done, parang cringey na to do certain kilig scenes. '26 na ako,' Kath was saying. And it’s like siguro, if ‘we’re a new love team, pwede pa.’ and that was a challenge for us. It [was] not easy. To think of ways to make it kilig… some, hit and miss, nagtritrial and error talaga. Meron isa, I know the intention in the script was for them to have an accidental kiss or for them to have a kiss. It’s not really a kiss kiss. And parang I was losing sleep on how to do it. And then, meron na ako ideas. And it’s always in collaboration with them. Like, for example, this is what I have in mind. And let’s see nga, let’s see you do it—because I have to see them do it. And then they will try it and then parang hindi swabe. And then even DJ will try, or suggest, ‘what if ganito” or this—it’s really a collaboration. And I can tell if hindi siya nagwowowork talaga. There are scenes na it keeps getting pushed back, yung scene na they will become a couple na, where she finally says to him that she loves him. [This involved] madaming discussions with them [Kath and DJ] kasi nga, parang nga, they’re careful how to do it because they’re uncomfortable doing it and they can’t place why. So, we really have to discuss. And so how do we achieve it, that it’s not cringey? In a way that it is apt for your age, apt for your generation. So, like, we’re expecting, normally in movies, it’s a big moment when they become a couple. When they actually say ‘I love you’—normally yan, it’s a big moment.
But here, we just made it very simple. Kasi di ba, a lot of times naman, when you become official, like in real life… hindi siya grand gestures. So parang, maraming maraming discussions with them. That’s what’s different with 2 Good 2 Be True… because of their experience in romance, in real life, in their projects before. And they’re very definite about their choices and very definite about what they stand for, and what they believe in. And they will say, “No, I will not say this, because I am a gentleman and this is what I would say.” Or si Kath naman, lumalabas who she is also. Because this is the first time for her to play the role as an alpha female. She’s never alpha in her other projects. I’ve known her since she was seven years old, eight years old maybe. And I’ve literally seen her grow up, and then, now that she’s 26, and she’s playing the role of an alpha female... nakikita ko na yung alpha side of her in real life, [evidenced] sa choices niya. She plays it so well. She knows, from the get go. The minute she wore the character hat of Ali, she was Ali right away. That amazed me. She was in it right away, she was so good, so compassionate as a nurse. But the alpha side. That was surprising… I realized, ah, she’s really alpha pala. That’s why may contributions ˆ in terms of creating the characters. Because of choices and beliefs that I never knew they had. Mas nakikilala ko sila ngayon din. That’s also something that’s different working with them now.
Mel Del Rosario: We always hear the term: thinking actors. But working with DJ and Kathryn really had us experience this. They know their character. They did not only give life to their characters, they became Eloy and Ali. They always discuss their concerns about the story tracks or how their characters react. This is my first time to work with them and I realized the reason why they are successful is because they are committed to what they are doing.
Denise O'Hara: Sina Kathniel kasi, very proactive din sila. Nagrereact sila sa kwento, nagsasabi sila yung tingin nila. Very collaborative sila. They are thinking actors. Hindi naman sila tatagal sa industriya if they are not thinking actors na, you know, committed sa roles nila and giving their best. Very collaborative yung team naman kasi, so yun yung isa na maganda doon. You see these two people working, competent if not the best. Yun yung maganda sa shoot. Everything came together.
What were the special elements that went into creating the character of Lolo Hugo and how did you make sure you created his part of the story to be impactful and meaningful to viewers?
Direk Mae: One feedback that we got from the show is that we had strong male characters, and that’s why it appealed to men. So there was a male audience that was captured because of the strong males in the show. They’re not weak. Siyempre, it appealed to them, and nagulat kami na a lot of men were watching the show. Lolo Hugo, for example… the character of Hugo Agcaoili. It’s one thing din, kasi, I remember sinabi ni Mel Del Rosario who is our creative manager, na let’s try to show the other side of it. The other side being, what is the side of the caregiver? What is going on with the ones taking care of the ones with Alzheimers? And that’s the character of Ali, the character of Eloy, and that’s the characters of Kath and DJ. And of course the helpers. And it’s a given, of course, na we’ll show facets of Alzheimers but we’ve done shows like that already. We’ve had The Greatest Love. So what is it that we’re presenting na new here? And so what really struck me, when we did the research, we interviewed the head of neurology here in the Philippines. We researched and we interviewed the doctors.
And one thing that struck us is that Alzheimers is a family disease. So it’s not just the person having Alzheimers that’s affected by it. Everyone is affected by it. And then we have a character, Hugo, who is alone. What happens to someone who is alone, who has no family, and then he learns he has Alzheimers. Right away, may emotional tug na siya right away. Kasi, kawawa naman. And Filipinos tayo. We’re big on family. And a lot of people also dismiss kasi ang Alzheimers kasi… no there’s no stopping this disease. And it’s so important that you have support and people who care for you. And in creating the character of Hugo Agcaoili, I have to give credit talaga to Ronaldo Valdez, because of how he portrayed it… oh my god talaga. It’s well-written, well-researched, and then you have pa an excellent, brilliant actor, Ronaldo Valdez. Oh my gosh. Sobrang galing. Na, tinimpla niya eh. Tinimpla niya talaga, how to portray this character. The mix of the light and the depth of the pain that the character has… that’s buried underneath, yung pain niya, and then the facade is this strong, mean character.
So, I think that’s why, aside from him… yun din yung strength ng show. Because of the characters… they all have a backstory. They’re real. They’re three-dimensional. Hindi sila two-dimensional chaacters. And one is, kaya lovable na lovable din si Hugo, even if he’s mean, eh. Even if there’s a lot of kasalanan in the past… because people know and see his pain. People realize na he’s not just a mean character pala. There’s a reason pala why he’s mean… it’s because he’s lonely, because he’s been betrayed. Because like this, like that. And people are interested to know… and galing ni Ronaldo Valdez, to give that. The subtleness… I can go on and on.
There are things of course that the creators know and that the actors don’t know, because we know the backstory and they don’t, not yet. And then si Tito Ron, minsan… I tell him, oh Tito Ron, we’re going to have a scene. The first time we shot the scene with the Benz, at first sa script. He saw the car, and then he was happy, but then of course tere are things we have to inject, the subtext… that's not in the script. That I have to tell them, to explain to them... Because the actors don’t know the backstory yet. That’s when I said to him, 'Tito Ron, there has to be a moment when you see the car running. Because the car is a metaphor for your wife. This is the symbolism for your wife. It runs deep. So, it’s not just the car running again, na natuwa ka. It’s like when you see it come to life again, she’s coming life.' So when I mounted it, it was in slow motion, and he was teary eyed… parang iba rin ang tingin niya sa car. And that’s the reason why you like this guy right away. Because he brought your wife back to life… and your life is your wife.
When I told him that, he got it. And then whenever I explain, he gets it right away. And then, I even said, 'Tito Ron, there’s going to be scene where you’re talking to the car,' ganyan… and I was telling him palang, he was already teary-eyed. Ganoon siya ka [sensitive]… he was saying, 'stop it. Emo na ako.' So it’s easy for him to understand… he’s a very emotional person. He’s very compassionate and very… what’s the word for that? Empathic.
So I collaborated with him on this character. And then funny nga, kasi sometimes we’d argue… Sometimes, I’m not even talking to him, and I’m blocking Kath or DJ, and suddenly he enters the frame and he tells Kath, 'Hay nako, you’re not going to win with her. She’s going to get her way.' And I remember, the last scene that we did. The last sequence of the show, parang this is how I will say it… And then I said, 'I think you’re arguing with me because you’re going to miss arguing with me.' And then he smiled, 'you’re right, I am.'
Plus, I also did a lot of research because I’m at that age where my own parents are the age of Tito Ron. My friends have parents who have Alzheimers. And they would tell me stories, and one in particular is a big figure in society, na nagka-Alzheimers… and it was very much like the character of Tito Ron. And I was using [that reference] a lot. Na parang, I would ask my friend… and my friend would say, hey, I watched this scene, I remember my dad.
Denise O'Hara: Actually, pagdating diyan, I have to credit our creative manager, Miss Mel Mendoza. When it came to the timpla of romcom at the same time. Very clear dun, yung direction ng creative manager namin to portray a storyline that mageeducate din sa mga tao. Ang kinaganda lang kasi sa teleserye, it always takes a village to create something like this. I cannot take credit alone, I have to credit the entire team. From our CM to the writers… I have very talented writers, na siyempre, sa dami na sinusulat, di mo talaga lahat maiisip. It’s the creative juices of everyone na naglead dun sa viral video na yun [the F.A.S.T scene] na we decided… let’s be mindful to show the competence of our characters. And dun nag start niyan. How competent is Ali as a nurse, di ba? Kudos din sa researchers namin, na naghanap talaga kami… siyempre it has to be dramatic, entertaining also. Otherwise, hindi siya maviviral kasi walang puso. So t’s a mixture of that: information and puso ng kwento.
And I remember when we were writing that [scene], literal example siya of how good the team is kasi the [idea] came from everyone. Nagpatongpatong ang suggestions until we came up with that scene. So, we didn’t expect it na mavi-viral, that it would save a life. So when we heard about it, everyone was very touched na parang, who would have thought na yung ginagawa namin would lead to such a thing na makakaligtas ng isang tao. And it just goes to show: the power of a good story.
So, lahat din kami nagulat about it and we were very touched… and then naging inspiration pa yun, to all of us, to make sure we are imparting yung tamang knowledge. I think I have a team who takes the responsibility of telling a story very seriously. We’re always very aware of what we’re telling… it doesn’t matter. We didn't write that para ma-viral. When we were writing it, sa lahat na sinusulat namin, there’s always a sincerity in it to impart values and correct knowledge… yung tama, di ba? Kasi sa dami naman ng maling portrayal or fake news… we’re very aware of that. Kung ilalagay natin sa kwento, it should be tama, kasi maraming nanonood. And it’s also your chance to educate. So yoon siya. I think hindi siya magagawa if we weren’t all aware of the responsibility of writing a teleserye. Kasi teleseryes have the biggest audience sa lahat naman ng genre, di ba? The greater the audience, the greater the responsibility.
Do you have a favorite episode? Or a favorite scene? Or, who was your favorite character and what did you learn from this character in their story on the show?
Direk Mae: In hindsight, I realize that my favorite scene is the F.A.S.T method. I really felt the group effort in creating that scene… from the cast to the staff and the crew, everyone was hands on. It was an all star cast scene and everyone delivered as well. The writers really researched it and it was very brilliant of them to incorporate that scene in the story. Most of all because it created an impact on the viewers, became a teaching/educational moment plus it even saved a life.
Another scene I’d say [was] really special to me… is the scene when Tito Ron, Hugo, was talking to the car. He was telling the car, his wife, talking to his wife… kasi in the script, it was just supposed to be a voice over. But he did it so effectively, na hindi siya pang voice over! You have to see his emotions… he did it in one take. He memorized that whole monologue. And I remember that I had three cameras that time, and I shot that scene… and parang ang bilis ko lang shinoot kasi he just did it, one take. And we were all crying, Kath and I were crying, and it was the first of the many scenes that Ronaldo Valdez wowed all of us. I think that’s why it was so memorable, because it was one of the first, and grabe. Sobra my admiration ko for him.
Mel Del Rosario: My favorite character is Lolo Hugo. He is very flawed and misanthropic in his twilight years and yet fate gave him a chance to turnaround his life and rectify his mistakes.
Denise O'Hara: Ako, to this day, my favorite episode is the pilot episode because of the hard work that went into it. It set the tone, it set the yung ang fresh niya. Sa dami niyang gnawa. It’s so fresh, it’s so fast paced. And trinabaho talaga siya, you know. Yung boong team, kasi nga, it’s day 1. Siguro that, the pilot episode, and yung favorite scene ko [involves] Daniel and Hugo. Meron dapat siyang dapat kukunin sa office and then nakita niya si Lolo Sir. He was torn between helping Hugo because I think it defined the goodness of [Eloy's] character. Yun yung favorite episode ko. And of course, yung kay Kathryn, favorite ko yung lahat ng episodes of her and her family. You know, kasi iba kasi yung… very proud ako sa dynamics sa family na yun. Single mom si Gelli, and she’s not the perfect mom, she’s flawed. Even kahit naman si Ali, may konting flaw. But you see three women live and sustain each other. So lahat ng mga eksena nila, doon ako talaga proud kasi you know… you don’t see that a lot. Di ba? Usually, in recent television… pero you know, the way they uplift each other and trust each other. The way they give to each other. Yun yung gusto ko doon, sa dynamics sa magiina. And I think it’s a modern family na kitang kita yung strength ng tatlong babae. The way they take care of each other. Imagine growing up without a male figure sa bahay. So I think that’s very new for me.
The fans are clamoring for it so we need to ask! Will we have a season 2 of 2 Good 2 Be True?
Direk Mae: I honestly don’t know… because management ultimately decides. We don’t know what management will decide on. But given the schedule of the two, I don’t know. They’re fully booked the whole year next year! And it would be nice, it would be lovely—to have a season two or a spin off. Especially because special siya, special ang show. The impact that it had on the viewers… it’s not every day that you get to do a project with this kind of impact, with this kind of story. Of course, there’s that challenge and there’s that pressure, to deliver equally, or even more. But I honestly dont know. It would be nice. But I honestly don’t know, it’s still up in the air.
Mel Del Rosario: A second season would be a tough challenge to do but it is all up to ABS-CBN management and Kathniel. For the creative team, we are already fulfilled and thankful with how we ended the series.
Denise O'Hara: It’s not our decision to make. So far, wala pa akong naririnig about it. Siyempre, there are a lot of factors to consider before that, di ba? And it’s way above my pay grade. So ako, kung sinabihan kami, okay! But if not, okay lang din. I think the show naman, parang nagrun naman siya yung storyline niya quite well, quite spectacularly. And now, I think it’s already a classic naman na. So, di ba? I mean… personally, ako hindi ako naghahanap. I don’t know about the fans! But you know, all good things come to an end, di ba? Otherwise, hindi na siya magiging special. It’s not our decision to make.
What do you hope viewers walk away with feeling or thinking after watching 2 Good 2 Be True? Do you think you accomplished that with the series?
Direk Mae: Just to very simple about it, when this show was created, the goal was to inspire people, something that would just leave an impact on the viewers… that would give them hope, that would inspire them. Especially vecause when we were creating this, it was in the middle of the pandemic. It was the height of so many things happening in our country. And, what we really just wanted was something that would help them forget, even for a while. Inspire them, give them hope. Every week, give them something to look forward to, and leave wth them, the characters who are memorable and have touched their lives. And if there’s anything, with the impact and the messages I’m getting from the viewers, the casual viewers especially. I know we’ve achieved this. I am… I get teary eyed when I talk about this. Because I have received so many messages of people who are sick. And I think it hits hard when you are sick during the pandemic because you are… mas nakakadepress diba? Because of what’s going on. And you can’t just go out, you’re limited…
The show really was their “liwanag sa dilim” and their comfort show. And one specifically even said that her mom, who was… she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and she got news that the cancer spread that morning. And timing, she was telling my sister that her mom is a big fan. And she wasn’t really eating well, na nawawala siya na ng gana. And then she asked na, 'oh baka you can ask for a video from Lolo Sir, because she’s such a big fan.' In fact, she’s called Lola Ma’am, because of Lolo Sir. So I asked for a video from Tito Ron. Tito Ron made this short but very sweet video for her. And then I sent it to my sister, and timing, it was the morning that the doctor told [the mother of this person] the bad news. And she was at her lowest. And she was crying the whole morning… after the video, it was the first time she was smiling in a long time. And then, she would watch the video over and over again, and my friend would catch her giggling to herself. She’s kilig about it. And then she started eating again. And the doctors… they couldn’t continue with the treatments if her vitals were not stable. And after the video, her vitals became stable. She was able to do her last treatment and she was able to go home.
When I told Tito Ron about it, he was in tears. He kept crying. When I showed him the video of my friend’s mom watching the video he made, na she was laughing… Tito Ron was crying talaga. And I said, Tito Ron, this is why we do what we do. And this is why… and you’re perfect for the role and you’re inspiring people, Tito Ron. And he didn’t say anything, he was just crying. And with that, that, I know we’re doing something really good. Because of the hope we are giving people, the inspiration that we are giving them. And I think the love that the show promotes, because of the characters, the love that is shown to each other—forgiveness, healing—it has become a show of healing. Healing of others. There is healing of the characters in relationships, even those who have been hurt deeply in the story. Because of their own healing, others are inspired to heal as well.
Denise O'Hara: I think so, in a way, what we hope din naman talaga really… with everything, ako personally, with everything that we do is to impart yung value of empathy. Yung empathy natin for other people. And any love story naman is about empathy. You wouldn’t be able to understand ang ibang tao without empathy. So, yun yung gusto namin ma-impart. And that at its most basic level, yung hope that things can be better. Yung faith mo in people ma-rekindle kasi we’re at a time where its a culture of grief. I’m really happy na, despite all that, people embraced the show that’s all about love, all about forgiveness, and all about empathy. And that’s really all we could have hoped for. So, yun naman ang gusto kong mabaon ng audience, after this show.
Do you have a message for the fans?
Direk Mae: I’m still overwhelmed by the impact it had on the viewers but really, I’m just really filled with gratitude. It was not easy to have done a tv series during the pandemic…lots of sacrifices and hard work from the team. The appreciation from everyone makes it all worth it. Thank you for reminding us why we do what we do and for motivating us to continue doing it. The response of the viewers inspires us to keep on creating more shows that will inspire, entertain and uplift the viewers.
Mel Del Rosario: Thank you very much to our dear audience who journeyed with us for 26 weeks. We will all miss Eloy, Ali, Lolo Hugo, MarKap, Lola Heart, Ays, Red, Tox, Chubs, Tino and Gemma. But I hope we keep the life lessons we learned from them—love for family, forgiveness, pursuing one’s dream, and importance of kindness.
Denise O'Hara: We’re always grateful for everyone that watched that show. We’re grateful people embraced the show. Siyempre, yung ABS went through a lot yung past two years. And the fact na nandoon pa rin ang audience namin watching our shows, parang it’s always that gratitude for our audience. Hindi kami naiwan, pinag-anticipate pa rin ang shows namin. And with 2 Good 2 Be True, parang show of force, we still have a lot of people to tell our stories to. People are still watching and listening to our stories. So, it’s always with a grateful heart na nagtatapos kami ng show… specially kapag ganitong pagka-hit ng show. There’s really nothing but gratitude.
All photos courtesy of 2 Good 2 Be True production team, ABS-CBN Entertainment