MANILA, Philippines - As soon as the lights went out and the scenes of Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo played, tears immediately flooded the Sheraton Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, venue of The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) premiere of the first ever teleserye shot in the Middle East. Filipinos from Doha and nearby cities witnessed the first few episodes of the series directed by Manny Palo and Lino Cayetano. Present during the preview were lead stars Jake Cuenca, Bangs Garcia and Shaina Magdayao plus executive producer Jennifer Soliman who all felt honored to be portraying our overseas Filipino kababayan considered modern heroes of our time.
Regional marketing manager for ABS-CBN Middle East Maribel Hernaez muses that it was truly a sight to behold as even the male audience had no shame in shedding tears as scene after scene unfolded.
The teleserye deeply touched the hearts of Filipinos in the Middle East because it spoke of the greatest sacrifice Pinoys experience to be able to work and fend for their families — physical distance, something which Jake and Shaina experienced similarly with their television parents Christopher de Leon and Philip Salvador. More than the distance, the teleserye also speaks of the complicated love that ensued between the lead stars, a reality that some of our overseas Filipino kababayan face.
The advance screenings of Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo received an equally warm reception in other parts of the Middle East like the UAE, Kuwait and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia last April 13. In Kuwait, it was attended by POLO and OWWA officials while in Saudi Arabia, ambassador Ezzedin Tago (who was coincidentally celebrating his birthday); Albert Valenciano, Labor Attaché – POLO/OWWA and his better half Madam Didit Valenciano; Engr. Fouad Taher, TFC Middle East managing partner witnessed how the Filipinos were deeply moved by the scenes and the lines from the drama series.
Meanwhile, these advance screenings were made possible by Xpress Money and Megaworld Corporation.
Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo airs via cable and satellite in the Middle East, Mondays to Fridays 1 p.m. Saudi Time and via the same platforms in North America, Europe, Australia, Japan and Asia-Pacific. In addition, Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo also airs video-on-demand in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and Japan. For interested parties, visit www.abs-cbnglobal.com.