Bantatay premieres on GMA

MANILA, Philippines - Beginning today, television’s newest canine hero  a lovable, frisky and intelligent yellow Labrador takes centerstage on GMA 7’s Bantatay, the newest original primetime drama about an extraordinary bond between a dog and his master. 

Leading the cast is Raymart Santiago, who plays Bernard, a loving, kind-hearted father who works as a veterinarian. Bernard will have an early death, but, by a startling twist of fate, returns to life after inhabiting the body of a Labrador Retriever named Bantay.

In the beginning, Bantay acts as a guide dog to Joanna (Jennica Garcia), a spirited blind girl who lost her vision in an accident. Despite the accident, she lives a normal life with the help of Bantay and her Lolo Estong, who gives her unconditional love.

Bernard, his wife Marcela (Gelli de Belen) and children Emily (Krystal Reyes), Junix (Renz Valerio) and Farrah (Sweet Ramos) are on their way home and find Bantay in a weakened state after he is separated from his master. The family eventually keep Bantay after it nourishes him back to health.

Others in the cast are Eva Darren, Camille Prats, Gary Estrada, Al Tantay, Marissa Delgado, Elmo Magalona, Sheena Halili, Kier Legaspi, Prince Stefan, Maybeline dela Cruz and Isabel Nesreen Frial. Bantay will be played by two-year-old Lab, Charlie.

Directed by Don Michael Perez and written by Des Severino, Bantatay is a touching, inspiring interpretation of a father’s undying love for his children and his special relationship with man’s best friend.

The show, conceptualized by RJ Nuevas, promotes correct treatment of animals by giving useful information on proper pet care through a special segment shown at the end of each episode in partnership with the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS).