Suds of Life

The immense popularity of soap operas is a testimony to the Filipino’s fondness for dramatic entertainment. Dating back to the serialized radio dramas of the early 50s, television had them as part of regular programming in the latter part of the 80s and 90s with hits like Anna-Lisa, Flordeluna and Mara Clara.

It’s already the 21st century and still, soap operas are pulling in the viewers–and the networks know this only too well. No amount of expense is spared when it comes to hiring top talents, shooting in beautiful places, having expensive costumes. Recently, soaps have even invaded the evening prime time slots.

Kidnapping? Corruption in all levels of government? Bank robberies? Grinding poverty and misery? Unemployment? Pollu-tion? You have all of these things in daily life. And yet, Filipinos patiently cope with these problems and learn to take life one day at a time.

But not when it comes to the sufferings of their heroes and heroines in the daily television soaps that are top priority in their daily existence. Here, Filipino viewers become emotionally and psychologically involved with the trials and tribulations of the bidas or lead characters who have practically become part of their lives. Like the promo of one TV station would say, they have become members of the family: Ka-pamilya na.

Fame, fortune, glamor and power are just a few of the things one can get vicariously as one watches these dramas unfold on the air. In a way, the heroes and heroines’ successes and failures mirror the dreams, aspirations as well as the dashed hopes of viewers. The desirable Filipino traits of matiisin (long-suffering), mapagmahal (loving) and all too forgiving are all there, as are, conversely, the detested characteristics of mapaghiganti (vengeful), mapang-api (oppresive) and mapang-mata (condescending). They all come into play with the protagonists trying to make sense of the idiosyncrasies of man and a world gone mad.

The unlucky kontrabidas or villains who dare make life a living hell for the bidas get cursed and called by all sorts of names. Since they, the heavies, have the resources (guns, goons and gold) they can easily make minced meat of their targeted victims. Most of the time, violence is part and parcel of Filipino soaps. But unlike in real life where some crimes can go unpunished, justice will prevail on the small screen, with contrabidas getting their come-uppance one way or the other.

One cannot help but get angry at the machinations of an aids-infected but ruthless Franco (Joel Torre) in getting Patricia (Judy Ann Santos) to believe that she is his daughter in Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka. Inspite of the fact that he would soon meet his Maker, he still keeps issuing death orders for people close to Patricia. How long will it take for him to die?

How about the dirty tactics of the various families of former governor now senator Leandro Montemayor (Eddie Garcia) in Kung Mawawala Ka? They are all vicious in trying to get their hands on the old man’s money and at the same time wield vast power over his constituents through influence peddling. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?.

Nobody can beat Madame Claudia (Jean Garcia) of Pangako sa Iyo. She’s always one step ahead of the competition. She is evil personified with her plots to do away with all her enemies, like the equally powerful and fashionable Amor Powers (Eula Valdez), Yna (Christine Hermosa) and Electrika (Vanessa del Bianco who, by the way, cannot act). Woe unto him who gets in Claudia Buenavista’s way. Either the person who crosses her gets maimed through a petty accident or obliterated from the face of the earth, with no less than Madame Claudia pulling the trigger.

Another character who has successfully gained the hatred of almost all soap lovers is Rowela (Gladys Reyes) of Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan. If Madame Claudia is the Queen of Mean, Rowela is the Princess of Darkness. Her schizophrenic personality makes viewers come up with their own scheme of getting rid of her. Prodded to commit murder by a dead mother played by Susan Africa, she of the Jekkyl and Hyde identity crisis has caused the loss of so many innocent lives and should be amply punished.

The bida’s fight for survival amidst all the intrigues and misfortunes is of paramount importance to the viewers, who get personally involved with the how to’s of rescuing the hapless bida from the clutches of the malefactors. The cause of his/her sufferings merits full attention. Whether at the dinner table (it’s a wonder they don’t get indigestion) or in the comfort of living or bed room, viewers have their own ideas on how to improve the lot of their favorite character.

It seems to be a cruel twist of fate that heroes and heroines of soaps and telenovelas (if you like the Mexican variety that have all female names for titles) have very little breathing space from their ordeals. For every problem solved, another one comes along almost immediately. They need the stamina of Olympic athletes and the cunning and magical powers of Greek gods in order to survive. Occasional viewers find this ridiculous, but loyal followers know better. A viewing day missed can be compared to missing out on a major party. Updates from housemates and office colleagues who religiously follow each episode are gathered–with all details thrown in.

Take the case of Angeline (Claudine Barreto) of the long running Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan. Ordinary mortals are no match for all the sufferings that this poor little rich girl has undergone. With Sally (Mylene Dizon), MJ (Carlo Munoz) and Adora (Pilar Pilapil) all out to get her wealth–and her neck as well–her chances of staying alive are precarious at best. But so far she has been able to outwit each one of them and is now on her way to exacting revenge on those who have wronged her.

Same thing goes for Lorea (Lorna Tolentino) whose twin sister, the deceased Lorinda, caused all the miseries in her life in Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay. How long can she continue perpetuating the lie that she is indeed Lorinda, mistress of drug lord Henri (Edu Manzano)? Will she be able to see her missing son Adrian, now a young adult known as Yuri (John Lloyd Cruz)? From the dowdy barrio lass to a well-heeled matron, the transformation of Lorea to Lorinda in just a matter of weeks dangerously skirts the bounds of the unbelievable.

Call it escapism from harsh realities, but soaps can definitely be addicting. From totally incredulous storylines, inane and predictable scripts (with slight variations every now and then), to skewed priorities that do not teach positive values to young minds, certainly not helped by all the crying and the 3S–scheming, shouting and slapping (all important elements in Filipino dramas)–soaps give viewers in mega-doses the excitement that humdrum, everyday lives sorely lack.

Getting hooked is easy. After watching two to three episodes continuously, one will not want to miss out on the roller coaster twists and turns of life on the sudsy lane. Take the case of Yna. She was kidnapped by Electrika, rescued by real mother Amor through the help of Madame Claudia, who in turn was really in collusion with Electrika.

Convoluted? You bet. Confusing? Definitely. But it only means you’ve got to come back for more tomorrow. As they used to say at the end of each episode, abangan ang susunod na kabanata!

Love them or hate them, it seems that soaps are here to stay. Television is, after all, about ratings, and advertising and network executives keep a sharp eye on viewer numbers. And the numbers of the soaps are high indeed.

Why bother watching news or talk shows that feature grandstanding politicians, wars, bungling government officials, inept hosts who do not even bother to study backgrounders about the subject of discussion? Aside from getting agitated and consequently increasing blood pressure, these shows may just provoke fits of violence, like throwing the nearest object against the tv set. With soaps, all you have to do is sit back, relax and let the characters storm and fume, scream and cry.

Who cares about the spiraling cost of gasoline? The ballooning budget deficit and its effects on the economy? Or for that matter the plight of the poor deportees from Sabah? At least for two hours a day, five times a week, by the mere flick of the remote control, I can have a choice of heroes who can beat the living daylights out of the bad guys, watch dreams can come true and indulge the passions of immortal love.