Newest Kapamilya series Huwag Kang Mangamba captured hearts with its promising plot imbued with inspiring lessons about hope and faith, coupled with a myriad of conflict that arouse moral judgment among its viewers. Here’s a video from Kapamilya React featuring hooked audiences’ comments about the show’s spectacular pilot week.
REVIEW: Huwag Kang Mangamba’s well-crafted pilot week offers promising start to inspirational narrative
The first episodes of Huwag Kang Mangamba established its characters’ different takes on faith and humanity. It opened with Mira (Andrea Brillantes) and Joy (Francine Diaz)’s conflicting lives. The former embarked on a journey to finding her biological mother while the latter runs away from home, with both their decisions leading them to an accident.
Viewers commended the show’s timeliness: “Galing nilang umarte! At saka ‘yung scenes, sakto ngayon, kailangan mag-pray kay Lord.” “Everything about this teleserye is so relevant, not just for the youth pati na rin sa whole society.”
We also got to meet the characters who would add pain and colors in the lives of Mira and Joy. The former would find her new home in big-hearted strangers – the street dweller Barang (Sylvia Sanchez), barbershop owner Caloy (Soliman Cruz) and his daughter Darling (Angeline Quinto), and young priest Father Seb (Enchong Dee).
Meanwhile, Joy lives with a family she feels estranged from – her father Samuel (Diether Ocampo), stepsister Sofia (Alyanna Angeles), stepmother Agatha (Mercedes Cabral), and the latter’s sister known as the community’s faith healer Deborah (Eula Valdes).
Spectators praised Mira’s camp for their good hearts, noting especially Barang’s compassion towards the blind girl: “Mabuti nandiyan si Ate B para i-comfort si Mira.” Joy’s family, on the other hand, received hate from the viewers: “Naiinis ako kay Sofia! Ang sarap mong sabunutan, girl!”
On the resurrection scene wherein Deborah claimed she has brought Joy back to life, a curious viewer couldn’t help but note the hypocrisy, “Ang creepy ni Deborah parang something is off. Ang dami kong tanong. Parang hindi ka agad maniniwala sa mga miracles niya.” Another one reacted, “Bakit diyan ang bait-bait ninyo pero ‘pag nasa bahay kayo, inaaway ninyo si Joy!”
Everyone’s also stunned with the miracle scene of Joy and Mira defying death: “Nagkabuhay sila pero ako naman ang hindi huminga.” “Nakakakilabot!”
After the miraculous event, Mira and Joy finally crossed each other’s paths. They got into a slight argument about God, with Mira insisting her faith in Him and Joy questioning His existence. As the conversation progressed, the girls opened up about their longing for motherly love. The teen stars exuded pleasant rapport, viewer named Kaycelle observed: “Connected talaga si Joy at si Mira.”
Mira got praises for her unwavering faith: “Hanga ako kay Mira. Kahit anong pagsubok man ang ibinigay sa kanya ni Bro, nagtitiwala at naniniwala pa rin siya sa Kanya.” “Ang lakas ng fighting spirit!” “Kahit hindi na nakakasama ni Mira ‘yung Nanay niya, napakatatag pa rin niya.”
Joy, on the other hand, roused sympathy among the audiences: “Si Joy, if I put myself in her shoes, parang ang dami niyang hinanakit. Parang clouded ‘yung faith niya pero she’s a good person. Nanggigigil lang talaga ako sa pamilya niya.”
The young actresses are showered with good words for their enthralling performances: ”Yung mga emosyon nila, mga problema nila, talagang mararamdaman mo ‘yun. Isa lang ang masasabi ko. Sobrang laki ng improvement sa acting skills nila.”
Someone pointed out Francine’s impressive transition from the soft-spoken Cassie in Kadenang Ginto to the feisty, troubled Joy in Huwag Kang Mangamba: “Si Francine, alam niya kung paano dalhin ‘yung role niya at talagang makikita mo sa kanya yung emotions. Sobrang laki ng improvemet ni Francine sa teleserye na ‘to kasi nasanay tayo na puro Cassie, mabait. This time, si Joy palaban.”
Andrea is likewise lauded for her lofty dramatic talent: “Ang galing niya! Lumuha agad siya! Ang galing ng acting skills talaga ni Andrea Brillantes.”
We also witnessed Joy’s sorrow under the hands of her wicked stepmother Agatha. Mira likewise suffered from Deborah’s supporters. Provoked viewers reacted: “Wala namang ginagawang masama ‘yung bata!” “Gagamitin ninyo si Deborah para manalo sa eleksyon at manakit ng kapwa?!”
The show had a good pacing and fans didn’t have to wait too long for Bro’s appearance. Mira speaking with Bro in the flesh was a climactic event. A viewer said, “Nakakakilabot talaga! Napakabuti mo, Mira kaya nagpakita sa’yo si Bro. Ayan na si Bro!”
Watch out for more exciting revelations in Huwag Kang Mangamba, weeknights, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.