Certainly, there are instances in our lives when we have found ourselves in the midst of turmoil, which makes it difficult for us to continue holding on to the hope, faith, and love that we have in us. 

While fighting these hard-hitting challenges can be so exhausting and disheartening, the universe never fails to bring us sparks of motivation that will compel us to check on ourselves and take a look at how our lives our turning out, as well as to uplift us and further strengthen our faith in the Supreme Being. And these sparks of motivation come in different forms and ways, such as via stories that either happened in real life or are just figments of someone’s imagination. 

Among these are the inspirational teleseryes that ABS-CBN has offered to us over the past decades, like the ones we included in this Kapamilya Timelist, that have not only warmed our hearts but also taught us valuable life lessons. 

Let’s begin with the 2005 series Mga Anghel Na Walang Langit, which gave us a glimpse of the harrowing plight of street children who are left to fend for themselves after being neglected by their families or obliged to work in order to help in their families’ finances. The respective stories of its five lead characters Enchang (Nikki Bagaporo), Dodong (Carl John Barrameda), Pepay (Miles Ocampo), Gigi (Sharlene San Pedro), and Jeboy (John Manalo) didn’t just warm our hearts, but also remind us the lengths that we can go because of the unwavering love we have for our family – regardless of how old we are.

The lead characters of the 2011 series Ikaw Ay Pag-Ibig also went through the same plight after the parents of Nonoy (Zaijian Jaranilla), Tinay (Mutya Orquia), Angelica (Xyriel Manabat), and Edison (Louise Abuel) all die in a freak accident. At young ages, their strengths were already put to the test as they had to take care of themselves and each other. But they’re able to carry on, and even look after an abandoned baby, which turned out to be young Jesus, because of the immense faith, love, and hope that they have. 

We have also witnessed how love even infiltrated the system of a child robot named E-Boy (Bugoy Cariño), the titular character in the 2012 science fiction drama of the same title, who despite not having a heart was still able to experience how it feels to love and be loved not just by the family that owns him, but by other people around him, too.

And speaking of sharing the love that we possess with other people, the 2013 fantasy drama My Little Juan has reminded us to always choose kindness when it comes to dealing with other people regardless if they have shown us kindness or not. Fr. Cito (Jaime Fabregas) has ingrained in the young mind of his mischievous charge, Juan (Izzy Canillo), the “golden rule,” which is, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.”

Although honesty is the main moral that the 2013 kiddie serye Honesto has aimed to inculcate in us, the heartwarming relationship of the titular character, played by Raikko Mateo, with his adoptive mother Lourdes (Janice de Belen) has proven that we are capable of loving other people to whom we are not consanguineous with. Besides, it was also Lourdes who taught Honesto to embrace his own uniqueness or his genuine self despite being bullied.

Life may be filled with uncertainties, challenges, and sadness, but we should never let those negativities take away our faith in God and our hope that everything will be alright in the end. And that’s what the journeys of Anna Manalastas (Xyriel Manabat) of 100 Days To Heaven (2011), Nathaniel (Marco Masa) in Nathaniel (2015), Heart (Heart Ramos) in My Dear Heart (2017). 

Furthermore, there are instances in our lives when we tend to doubt if God really is there for us or if He truly hears our petitions, especially when we’re going through tough times. But Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla) of the classic series May Bukas Pa (2009), Sophie Cepeda (Janella Salvador) of Oh My G! (2015), and Joy (Francine Diaz) and Mira (Andrea Brillantes) in Huwag Kang Mangamba (2021) reassured us that He is always with us, even though we can’t see Him the way they do. Their encounters with “Bro” or “G” have reminded us that we will never walk alone as long as we believe in Him and have Him in our hearts. 

This Lent, may we not only focus on having our well-deserved escapades, but also on commemorating the passion of Christ, reflecting on how our lives have turned out, and replenishing our hope, love, and faith.

Have a safe and meaningful Holy Week, Kapamilya!