It has been ten years since the inspirational series “May Bukas Pa” last aired on ABS-CBN yet the positive effect it had on the community where it was filmed continued to be felt.
In a tribute video aired recently on the Kapamilya network for its 65
th year anniversary, residents of Bacolor, Pampanga recounted how the teleserye starring Zaijian Jaranilla changed their lives.
Former San Guillermo Church Parish Priest Fr. Jesus Garcia Manabat Jr. shared that the popularity of “May Bukas Pa” helped the community heal and recover, after lahar due to a volcanic eruption claimed lives and destroyed their homes, as well as their church.
“After months of realization, we decided to start taking action. It became a landmark which is one of the good things that happened. And then came ABS-CBN. Because of “May Bukas Pa,” the people were able to draw courage from the everyday scenes of the program. Not only the people of Bacolor, but Pampanga as a whole, saw its purpose. So we decided to hold a lot of pilgrims,” he said.
With the influx of tourists wanting to see the church and the program’s cast, Bacolor resident Apu Puring’s eatery, which was also used as a location for the show, suddenly became a popular place to eat. Her
kababayan Rowena Roado, meanwhile, named his son “Santino” because she wanted him to become close to God like the program’s young protagonist. Kristian Rei Cayanan, who served as an “extra” in some scenes in “May Bukas Pa,” also recalled how the show inspired him to pray to God, even calling Him “Bro,” like Santino. Now, Kristian is in the seminary, one of the many inspired by the show to pursue a deeper understanding of God’s teachings.
“A lot from Bacolor were given a brighter future with the help of the program. They helped people’s livelihood. I baptized a lot of children were named Santino. Even the number of people joining the seminary rose at that time,” added Fr. Jesus.
ABS-CBN’s visit to Bacolor was made even more special with Zaijian’s arrival to join them for a solemn prayer inside the San Guillermo church.
Meanhwile, ABS-CBN continues to deliver stories of Kapamilyas that bring hope and inspiration. Tomorrow (July 25), we will see the story of the family of Shane Aubrey de Vega, who has brain cancer. Watch the touching moments when through DZMM, her dream to see and meet her favorite star Toni Gonzaga finally came true.
On Friday (July 26), we will meet Mommy Tess Cachero, a former cancer patient who would watch “It’s Showtime” to escape the pain every time she had to be injected with medicine. Like Shane, Mommy Tess was given the opportunity to meet her idols like Vice Ganda, Anne Curtis, and Vhong Navarro, who helped a lot in her journey to healing and recovery.
Catch their #KwentongKapamilya after “TV Patrol” on ABS-CBN and on the official Facebook page of ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel.
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