The ‘probinsyano’ that Filipinos love

With all the problems that the country faces today, people are looking for heroes who can inspire them to uphold and champion the values we have as Filipinos.

For Elisa Tapalla, a housewife, she found one in the character of Cardo, the lead character played by Coco Martin in the primetime series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.

Elisa said Cardo’s dedication to protect the lives of innocent people is admirable. She added she would like to see more people like Cardo in her community.

“Cardo is noble and patriotic. He has the courage of going head on with criminals at all costs, even his life. His dedication to serve and bravery should inspire our officials to serve more people in need,” she said.

But as a mother, what Elisa appreciates in Cardo is his unconditional love for his family.

“Cardo is a perfect example of an ideal father who puts his family’s welfare first. He treats Onyok and Makmak like they are his own. He loves his Lola Flora and values her pieces of advice,” Elisa explained.

With FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’s socially relevant and inspiring stories about family and patriotism, Filipino viewers have not wavered since the show debuted in September 2015.

A phenomenal hit, the Kapamilya teleserye has consistently topped national TV ratings for almost a year. With TV ratings hitting beyond 40 percent nationwide, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is the country’s most-watched TV program.

What makes it successful is not an all-new formula or any groundbreaking story, but the promotion of Filipino values that resonate with the audience.

Elisa hopes that the teleserye can also inspire people to become ideal citizens of the country.

“Cardo is what every Filipino should be. He has a heart for people in need, but he is tough on criminals who take advantage of innocent people. If all of us would be like him, we can bring a big change to our country,” she ended.

The action-packed series has produced characters that are relatable to viewers and showcased memorable scenes.

Makmak’s (McNeal Briguela) funny antics have generated so much buzz online. One of his most unforgettable scenes was when Cardo and Lola Flora (Susan Roces) assured Makmak that they love him no matter what he is.

These heart-to-heart talks between the characters sent out a message of love and respect for one another and garnered praises from fans and netizens. Indeed, family goes beyond bloodline. They are the people who truly care for you and accept you for who you are.

The tragic death of Carmen also surprised and broke everyone’s hearts. But their family showed resilience and faced the succeeding trials in their lives together, showing how important it is to keep the family intact, especially in times of adversity.

The show has also imparted valuable lessons and exposed criminal activities such as drug trading, human trafficking and most recently, online scamming. Recently, it launched Lights Tips campaign to inform and empower viewers.

The show has also hosted several outreach programs to send love to communities in need of help and thank them for their support. Coco recently led the Oplan Balik Eskwela, where he gave school supplies to the students of Paradise Farm Elementary School in Blanca to help improve their learning experience.

Now that the top-rating series is approaching its first anniversary, viewers are in for huge surprises as the show gears up for a grand celebration. More exciting scenes are coming with Cardo now taking on the case of drug trading led by government officials, which is a timely subject today.