With a stray bullet stuck in Joaquin (Daniel Padilla)’s brains, it sounds just valid if Juliana (Carmina Villaroel) imposes a strict parenting style over her son. And no matter how others misjudge her behaviour, she will do what she thinks is best for her only child even if she goes overprotective and borderline helicopter parent, as shown in these scenes from Got to Believe.
As a mother, Juliana is known for being overly vigilant and always on the lookout for danger to the point of hindering Joaquin’s actions or keeping him close like a little kid. For instance, panic brought her rushing to the carnival upon learning that her teenage son went there alone to unwind. Juliana even forcefeeds Joaquin and the poor young man can’t say ‘no’ to what mommy serves on his plate. She doesn’t allow him to go to the mall, either, unless accompanied by a trusted nanny. Trying to tone it down a bit, Juliana allows Joaquin to play video games before bedtime, but, for just one hour sharp. She had his whole life heavily slated in her own timetable, anyway.
Juliana is there to micromanage every single detail of Joaquin’s life – from wardrobe to the people he interacts with to his preferred course in college. She blocked Joaquin from branching out to the outside world, forcing him to take an online degree than enrolling in his preferred university in the big city. She was shocked when Joaquin laid out his plan of taking an engineering course instead of a business-related one.
While Jaime (Ian Veneracion) was proud of his son’s courage to be assertive of his dreams, the controlling mother was not pleased with the boldness. Juliana insisted that Joaquin won’t manage to cope with the chaos and dangers of the real world.
Until Juliana’s overprotectiveness took a toll on Joaquin and damaged her relationship with Jaime. For the first time, Joaquin was pushed to his limits and demanded his mom to loosen up the rein. He said that locking him up inside the mansion or his own room does not guarantee his safety, either. And while Joaquin had a point, Juliana won’t simply bend her rules.
Just as strong-willed, Joaquin signed up for an admission test in Malaya University, without his mom knowing. However, the matriarch of the Manansala household wasn’t that naïve to remain clueless of what was happening inside her territory. Juliana discovered the secret exam. Learning that Jaime knew all along added more to the offense.
In an overly dramatic tone, Juliana explained the root of her overprotective nature. She fears for Joaquin –his safety and his future – and at the end of the day, his welfare is the focal point of all her decisions.