GMA 7’s edge

“ANG DALAWANG Mrs. Real” stars (from left): Maricel Soriano, Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe

Teleserye buffs generally agree that, when it comes to production values, storytelling and scope, ABS-CBN drama series have an edge over the competition. But, if that’s the case, why are some GMA 7 shows able to hold their own in terms of interest value, appeal and viewership?

We’ve taken the time to analyze the perplexing situation and have concluded that GMA 7’s edge is its ability to occasionally latch onto topical and controversial themes that compel viewers’ avid attention.

Two TV seasons ago, the network’s “sleeper” hit series was “My Husband’s Lover,” which dramatized the combustible conflicts of two male lovers and the wife of one of the closet gays.

This time around, for the 2014 season, the pacesetter in terms of provocative theme and conflict is “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real,” with Dingdong Dantes “maritally” involved with two women played by Maricel Soriano and Lovi Poe.

Now, marital and extramarital shenanigans are nothing new on the local TV screen—but what makes “Mrs. Real” more “eventful” and viewable than usual is the fact that the “original” wife, Maricel, refuses to put up and shut up when she finds out that her hubby has acquired a new and younger wife!

Indeed, instead of playing the traditionally “martyred” wife, she hits back—very hard and loudly—and doesn’t let up until Dingdong is sheepishly forced to choose her over her younger and thus more delectable rival for his heart—and other body parts!

This unconventional approach has made “Mrs. Real” a regular viewing proposition for many people, who don’t want to miss out on Maricel’s latest whammy!

Even now that she’s finally banked her fires, the series remains “eventful,” because it keeps its subsiding conflicts going on a regular basis.

Last Aug. 19, the big to-do was over Lovi and Dingdong’s love child being given his name, which Maricel found absolutely unacceptable!

“MY DESTINY” cast (from left): Rhian Ramos, Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana

New twist

The new twist introduced was the fact that the usually meek Lovi suddenly lashed back, shocking everyone—and serving notice that the two wives’ fight for their shared hubby’s ding and dong—is far from over!

On another GMA 7 teleserye, “My Destiny,” the proceedings are less eventful, because most everything is made to hang on the dubious scripting premise of two sisters “unintentionally,” or even “mistakenly,” falling for the same man (Tom Rodriguez). How could this have happened? The awkward answer is that the same guy is known by two different first names!

Oh, really? It just seems to be too weak a premise to mitigate or rationalize the major conflicts that result from that “mistake.”

To make things worse, the younger sister, Rhian Ramos, is given a serious illness, so she must be kept happy and hopeful at all costs, which is why her ate, Carla Abellana, feels compelled to give Tom up, despite the fact that she’s the one he really loves.

Due to the series’ unconvincing “mistaken identity” premise, the show makes for less than involving viewing, despite its many dramatic twists and turns (last week, the girls’ dad was caught embezzling a large sum of money that he used to pay for his daughter’s bone marrow transplant).

So the current score card for GMA 7 this season is: A hit with “Mrs. Real,” a “mistaken” miss with “My Destiny.” Still, ABS-CBN’s shows can’t afford to take it easy and have to come up with their own topically “eventful” whammies, too—right?