Unforgettable (2013 TV series)

Unforgettable
Genre	Romantic fantasy Melodrama
Created by	GMA Entertainment TV Group
Developed by	Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan
Written by	Maribel Ilag Gilbeys Sardea Glaiza Ramirez
Directed by	Gina Alajar
Creative director(s)	Roy Iglesias
Starring	Kylie Padilla Mark Herras Benjamin Alves Pauleen Luna Polo Ravales Phillip Salvador Glydel Mercado Carmi Martin Roy Alvarez Kevin Santos Chariz Solomon Timmy Cruz Rocco Nacino
Opening theme	"Babalikang Muli" sung by Kyla Alvarez and Gian Magdangal
Composer(s)	Kenjiro Sakiya Larry Chua
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language(s)	Filipino, Tagalog, English
No. of episodes	67 episodes
Production
Executive producer(s)	Darling Pulido Torres
Producer(s)	GMA Network
Location(s)	Tagaytay, Philippines Quezon City, Philippines
Cinematography	Chiqui Soriano
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	30-45 minutes
Release
Original network	GMA Network
Picture format	480i NTSC
Original release	February 25, 2013 – May 31, 2013
External links
Website

Unforgettable is a Filipino romantic fantasy drama series created by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan and produced by GMA Network. The series premiered on February 25, 2013, replacing Yesterday's Bride on the network's coveted Afternoon Prime block and February 27, 2013 worldwide via GMA Pinoy TV. It concluded its fourteen weeks run on May 31, 2013 with a total of sixty-seven episodes, and was replaced by Mga Basang Sisiw. It was produced by Darling Pulido Torres. The series was under the direction of Gina Alajar and headlines Kylie Padilla, Mark Herras, Benjamin Alves, Pauleen Luna, Polo Ravales and Phillip Salvador.^[1]

Synopsis

Ed and Anna have what people call a tempestuous romance. Their love for each other can reach the highest of highs and the lowest of lows — in a matter of minutes. For Ed, it is all part of Anna’s charm. Her slightly clingy nature makes him feel like he’s the most important man in the world. For Anna, Ed is the one she can always trust, the one who will always be there for her.

But in one instant, he is taken from her. A mugging quickly escalates, leaving Anna unconscious and Ed fatally wounded.

In Anna's clothes, the police find a wiped knife. And because of the volatile nature of their relationship, some people are quick to believe that Anna would take a weapon to Ed in the heat of the moment. Ed’s mother, Munding, and the family she works for—the De Ocampos, a family of lawyers use this to damn her in the public eye.

Miguel is tasked by his father to lead the investigation into Ed's death and to ensure that Anna is locked up for life. Connie, Miguel's sister, is also bent on blaming Ed's death on Anna; revealing her own love for the deceased. Together with parents Manuel and Concha, the De Ocampos show a united front against Anna.

Amidst these charges, Anna finds solace in her mother Elvira. What she doesn't know is that Elvira is keeping from her a truth that would explain the De Ocampos' vendetta against her. And she finds a new protector in the arms of Arnold, the pro-bono lawyer who has agreed to take on her case.

As the events of Ed's death unfold, Anna finds herself getting pulled into a web of lies that seeks to prove her guilty, to the point that even Arnold advices her to admit guilt, so they can plea for a smaller punishment.

Someone still believes in Anna's innocence. Unfortunately, that someone is already dead – Ed. As the only witness to his own death, Ed knows that Anna had nothing to do with his murder. But as a ghost, he cannot be seen or heard by the living. But he must prove the innocence of his beloved girlfriend.

When a new clue points to Anna's innocence, Arnold quickly grabs on to it to get his client acquitted. Miguel, on the other hand, is tasked by his father to ensure Anna's guilt. Curious with the directive given by Manuel, Miguel begins his own investigation that makes it clear to him that Anna is being set up... by his own family!

Ed pushes Miguel and Arnold to help Anna the best way they and he can. But how much can a ghost really do?

Cast and characters

Main characters

• Rosanna "Anna" Caruhatan – the series' main protagonist, portrayed by Kylie Padilla (previously Lauren Young) Anna is an obedient daughter to Elvira and a loving girlfriend to Ed. She strives hard to achieve her dreams—to finish her studies and to live a happy and complete family life with Ed. Unfortunately, fate doesn't favour them as a life-changing tragedy happens turning Ed into a disembodied spirit. Anna will be the main suspect for what happened to Ed. She will be imprisoned and will pay be miserable as no one trusts her anymore.^[2]
• Eduardo "Ed" Manalastas† – the male lead, portrayed by Mark Herras. He is Anna's loving and caring boyfriend. Like any couple, Anna and Ed dream of a happy and successful family life after college. Unfortunately, Ed was murdered and worse, Anna became the main suspect for his murder. Ed couldn't crossover to the afterlife until he helps prove Anna's innocence.^[3]

• Atty. Miguel de Ocampo† – portrayed by Benjamin Alves. Miguel comes from the family of lawyers. As an obedient son, he succumbed to his father's wishes to lead Ed's murder case and ensure that Anna stay behind bars. However, in his search for the truth, Miguel will unravel the mystery behind the crime. In the process, Miguel falls for Anna and soon gets caught between his family and the girl he has begun to love.^[4][5]
• Constance "Connie" de Ocampo† – portrayed by Pauleen Luna. She is the Miguel's younger sister who falls madly in love with their family driver, Ed but is tormented when she finds out that the latter already had a girlfriend. Feisty, bratty and vicious, Connie will do everything to make the people who wronged her pay for all the hurt and pain they caused to her.^[6]
• Atty. Manuel de Ocampo – the main antagonist, portrayed by Phillip Salvador. He is the head of De Ocampo family – a family of known lawyers. Manuel is a devoted husband and a loving father. But behind his seemingly perfect family man angle is a man with an indelible emotional wound caused by a painful past – a tragic past that continues to haunt him and drives him to become the bitter and vindictive man that he is. He can be a very good friend but a formidable foe.
• Atty. Arnold Regalado† – portrayed by Polo Ravales. He is the pro bono lawyer who has agreed to take on Anna's case. He eventually developed romantic feelings toward his client and vows to do everything to help her prove her innocence and take her out of the prison.
• Elvira Caruhatan – portrayed by Glydel Mercado (previously Jean Garcia). She is Anna's doting mother. She works as a fish vendor and is admired by others for single-handedly raising Anna to be a virtuous woman. However, her misery starts when Anna accused to be the main suspect for her boyfriend’s death, imprisoned and pay for a crime that she didn't commit. Elvira harbors a secret past that would explain of the De Ocampos' vendetta against her and her daughter Anna.
• Consuelo "Concha" de Ocampo – portrayed by Carmi Martin (previously Agot Isidro). She is the loving wife of Manuel and a doting mother to Miguel and Connie. Concha never escaped the memory of her dead child and her grief and deep hatred drive her to exact revenge on that particular person responsible for her child's death.
• Raymunda "Munding" Manalastas – portrayed by Timmy Cruz. She is the loving mother of Ed. Munding works as a servant for the De Ocampos. As a single parent, Munding sacrifices everything just to give her precious son a better future. But all her dreams were shattered when Ed died. Munding vows that she wouldn't stop until she got justice for her son. She seeks legal help from her employer and Atty. Manuel de Ocampo quickly tasks his son Miguel to handle the case. Unknown to her, the former only uses these circumstances for a personal vendetta.

Recurring characters

• Ruth Natividad – portrayed by Chariz Solomon. She is Connie's vicious best friend and Miguel's socialite and cunning ex-girlfriend. As an heiress to a chain of hotels and restaurants, Ruth used to getting what she wants. She goes berserk when Miguel decided to end their relationship. Her obsession with Miguel drives her to win him back, whatever it takes.^[7]
• Salvador "Badong" Leoncio – portrayed by Roy Alvarez †. Other people think that he is just a jerk. But unknown to many, Badong has the ability to see everything that was about to happen, as well as to see and communicate with the dead people. He eventually became Ed's instrument in communicating with his beloved Anna, in proving her innocence and unraveling the mystery behind his death.
• Randy Legaspi † – portrayed by Kevin Santos. He is the wealthy and arrogant man who loves Connie to a passion and determined to take down anyone who dares cross in his way, especially if it turns out to be Ed.
• Darwin Toledo - portrayed by Pancho Magno. The Police Servant of Atty. Manuel De Ocampo. But in the latter part of the series, he became a normal good man after he deported Manuel.
• Terrence De Ocampo - portrayed by Rocco Nacino. He is the Teacher of the orphans in Riomedia Orphanage, where his relationship with Anna fall down to a new love, Not knowing Terrence is the other son of Manuel in his first wife, Manuel always care for Terrence, makes Miguel and Connie jealous, Love interest of Connie, Terrence has different intentions to Anna. But at the end, they became partners.
• Julia Regalado † - portrayed by Bianca Umali. She is the loving sister of Arnold who has cancer. Whatever Connie wants Arnold to do, he must do because Connie always threats Julia's life.
• Rona - played by Lenlen Frial. She is a cute, jolly, loving, and playful orphan at Riomedia Orphanage who helped Terrence to let Anna fall for him.
• Isabel - played by Jana Trites. She is the vengeful ghost who taught Ed how to communicate and touch to alive persons.

Production and development

The series was created and developed by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan. She began developing the series late 2012. The series is part of the four new shows intended for the network's afternoon line up for the first quarter of 2013, alongside Forever, Bukod Kang Pinagpala, and Kakambal ni Eliana.^[8] With the concept: "True love lives beyond death", Unforgettable was inspired from 1990 American classic romantic fantasy flick, Ghost starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. The series, which slated for 16-week run (80 episodes), is under the direction of Gina Alajar while Darling Pulido-Torres served as the executive producer for the entire run of the show.^[9]

The majority of the cast was assembled in late January 2013. Lauren Young was the original choice of the network to breathe life to the character of Anna Caruhatan, but was replaced by Kylie Padilla in the final casting.^[10] Mark Herras and Pauleen Luna, who had previously worked together on the 2009 primetime series Ikaw Sana, were the first two actors to be chosen for the roles of Ed Manalastas and Connie de Ocampo, respectively.^[11] Benjamin Alves was chosen to portray the character of Atty. Miguel de Ocampo, the protagonist's other love interest. Alves described his role as "a dream come true," as he wanted to be a lawyer in real life.^[12] Glydel Mercado took the parental role of Elvira Caruhatan. The said role had previously been offered to Jean Garcia.^[13]

The series also marked the reunion of Gina Alajar, Phillip Salvador, and Carmi Martin or popularly known as "Lino Brocka babies". Salvador signed on to portray the series' antagonist Atty. Manuel de Ocampo. Salvador stated that Alajar is his "favorite leading lady and it's a dream come true to work with her, but this time as my director." ^[14] Meanwhile, Martin took the role of Concha de Ocampo, which was initially offered to Agot Isidro.^[15]

Alajar, Salvador and Martin starred in Brocka's one of the most controversial and multi-awarded films Kapit sa Patalim in 1984.^[15]

Filming of the series begun on February 6, 2013. Most of the series' scenes were shot on location in Tagaytay. Several episodes include shots from Anonas Police Station in Quezon City.

The first episode aired on February 25, 2013.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
• List of telenovelas of GMA Network
• Ghost
• My Beloved
• Walang Hanggan
• Sinner or Saint

External links

• GMA Network official website
• GMA Network Official Facebook Page

References

1. "Unforgettable premieres today on GMA | Entertainment, News, The Philippine Star". philstar.com. 2013-02-25. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
2. "Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
3. "Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
4. PEP.ph. "Benjamin Alves on Max Collins: "We're only friends, we've ended as friends—hanggang doon na lang po talaga pupunta." | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
5. "New love triangle Mark Herras, Kylie Padilla, Benjamin Alves". Manila Standard Today. 2013-02-13. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
6. "Pauleen: I'm not a gold digger! | Showbiz". Journal.com.ph. 2013-02-22. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
7. PEP.ph. "Chariz Solomon enjoys bed scene with Benjamin Alves: "Bihirang mangyari iyon sa akin, ‘no! Mga abs ang nahahawakan ko!" | PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". PEP.ph. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
8. "Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
9. "Abante-Tonite Online | Showbiz". Abante-tonite.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
10. "GMA susugal sa Bukod Kang Pinagpala | PSN Showbiz, Pilipino Star Ngayon Sections, Pilipino Star Ngayon". philstar.com. 2013-02-04. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
11. "Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
12. Mario Bautista (2013-02-26). "Robin gives Aljur nod as daughter Kylie's bf | Showbiz". Journal.com.ph. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
13. "Mark, Kylie to star in 'Unforgettable'". Sun.Star. 2013-02-24. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
14. "Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved 2013-04-28.
15. Tessa Mauricio-Arriola Lifestyle And Entertainment Editor (2013-02-23). "Brocka babies in an ‘Unforgettable’ soap". Manilatimes.net. Retrieved 2013-04-28.