In the afternoon soap, Bagong Umaga, Ian (Cris Villanueva) and Maggie (Sunshine Cruz) are strict parents to Cai (Barbie Imperial), thus the latter grew up fearing them. Theirs was an unhappy home until she suffered from a depressive state due to a series of failures. The incident paved the way for realizations. It was a wake-up call for Ian and Maggie to become better parents. Recall how they tried to fix their relationship with Cai with these scenes from Bagong Umaga.
Unable to bear the humiliation for failing the medical school entrance exam re-take, Cai resorted to drug overdose for an escape. She was rushed to the Buencorazon Hospital. Ian hastened to attend to his daughter.
After the emergency procedures, Cai was transferred to a private room but was unconscious for a time. Ian opened up to Hilda (Rio Locsin) his regrets as a father. It turns out the strict nature is rooted in heartbreaking events of the past. He lost his father young and Maggie had the same experience. For the first time, Ian, the intimidating, cold-hearted doctor, is admittedly scared. He gave in to his vulnerability, let the tears break down his façade, and said he’s scared. He worries about Cai’s future, how the seemingly fragile and dependent child would survive once they are gone.
At that moment, staring at his unconscious daughter fighting for her life, Ian came to his senses and realized how cruel of a father he has become. He and Maggie stayed by Cai’s side throughout the night. They drowned in regrets. They suffered in guilt.
Maggie blamed herself for what happened. She hated herself for the poor maternal instinct. She should’ve known something was wrong but, surprisingly, she didn’t. Ian owned up to their mistakes and vowed to start anew, this time, as a happy family.
The next scene shows the three of them sharing an emotional moment. Ian and Maggie asked Cai for forgiveness and a second chance to make it right as parents.
In the next scene, still in the hospital, Cai enjoyed Lola Hilda’s spaghetti dish. Maggie walked in. Cai embraced her mother and accidentally stained her top. Cai, showing traces of emotional trauma, kept on apologizing and even tried to remove the stain, thinking her mom would lash out at her. That’s how she remembers her parents – fuming at her slightest mistake. But, at that moment, things looked different. Maggie didn’t get mad. Instead, she smiled at her daughter.
When it was time to go home, Ian and Maggie soothed Cai’s worries. She was afraid to get humiliated again. Maggie held her hand and promised, “You’ll never face anything alone anymore, anak.”
More touching moments followed. And it showed that love and forgiveness can repair a broken relationship. In an intimate conversation with her mom, Cai opened up her closeness with Monica (Nikki Valdez) and their unexplainable connection. While she struggled to search for the right words, Maggie got what she can’t explain. She knew her daughter was talking about motherly care – something she failed to give.
To make it up to her daughter, Maggie made an effort to spend more time with her. She also reconciled with Hilda. The family went on an intimate picnic date. Back at home, Maggie and Cai reviewed old photos. Although it reminded them of some bitter memories, they took it as a hint to start making new memories.
Don’t miss the next episodes of Bagong Umaga, Monday to Friday, after It’s Showtime, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.