As Maalaala Mo Kaya takes its final bow, Kapamilya stars pay tribute by sharing their “pasasalamat” to the program, which has played a significant role in their careers and has been part of every Filipino home.

Mon Confiado thanks MMK for the values and lessons it imparted and said the show will forever be ingrained in the hearts of viewers. “Sa MMK, sa lahat ng bumubuo, maraming maraming salamat. Hindi lang kayo nagbigay ng ligaya at inspirasyon, gumawa kayo ng pamilya, para siyang sariling mundo, eh. ‘Pag ikaw ay taga-sunod ng MMK, meron kang moral values na sinusunod. Meron kang inspirasyon o pinaghuhugutan ng mga aral. Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat ng mga taon na nakasama namin kayo. Hinding-hindi namin malilimutan ang MMK.”

Ralph Malibunas has been part of MMK by writing his life story to Charo. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa MMK kasi siyempre nakita po ng mga tao ‘yung buhay ko bilang OFW sa France… Sobrang thankful and blessed po ako na na-feature po ‘yung story ko sa MMK.”

It is every artist’s dream to act for MMK, however small the role is. Amada Zamora said: “I’m happy na naging parte ako kahit short roles lang, I was able to experience it. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

As one of ABS-CBN’s homegrown talents, Diether Ocampo has found a home in MMK and he will treasure it as a gift. “I’m thankful sa lahat ng mga production member, sa lahat ng mga nakatrabaho kong crew at artista. Malaki ang pasasalamat namin na naging bahagi kami ng inyong tahanan, ng inyong mga puso, at ng inyong mga buhay.”

Most of us have grown up with MMK like Francine Diaz, who feels blessed to have played the lead’s younger counterparts in a few episodes. “Simula bata po ako, pinapanood na namin ‘yung MMK, kami ng family ko. I’m thankful na kahit mga young versions yung nakukuha kong roles sa MMK, I had the chance na maging parte ng family ng MMK.”

Asia’s longest-running drama anthology provided newcomers a platform to showcase their potential. As Seth Fedelin puts it, “Laking pasasalamat ko sa MMK dahil nabigyan ako ng chance na ipakita ‘yung talent ko sa pag-acting. Kasi MMK is kailangan mo talagang alamin ‘yung buhay ng ginagampanan mong role. ‘Yun ang naging challenge sa akin at doon ako naging masaya na nabigyan ako ng chance ng MMK.”

Karina Bautista, who is part of the finale episode “Scarlet Women,” commends the program for giving ordinary Filipinos the voice to share their real stories of struggles and success. “Thank you for sharing the stories of the Filipino people. I think that’s what’s more important kasi nabahagi natin ang totoong pinagdadaanan ng mga tao. Somehow, ang daming napasaya, napakilig, napaiyak, at nabigyan ng inspirasyon na lumaban sa buhay na kahit anuman ang mangyari in life, meron pa ring magandang mangyayari at nakahanda si Lord for us.”

She also thanked the MMK family for making her feel loved and cared for whenever she’s with them, and for the opportunities they’ve given her. “Thank you, MMK! Grabe sila, they took care of me. Ang dami ko ring MMK episodes and nagkaroon rin ako ng short appearance sa Love Bites. Ang dami kong natutunan when it comes to acting kaya I’ll always treat it as a milestone for me.”

JC Alcantara thanks the show for trusting him with important characters and for being with him in his journey as an actor. “Maraming salamat sa opportunity, sa tiwalang binibigay ninyo sa akin para magampanan ‘yung mga role na kahit mahirap, ipu-push n’yo pa rin akong tawagan. Sobrang fan ako ng MMK bata pa lang ako at nabigyan nila ako ng chance na ipakita ‘yung talento ko na hindi nila ako pinabayaan lalo na sa pag-arte, gina-guide nila ako. Kaya salamat sa buong team ng MMK, kay Ma’am Charo Santos, sa lahat ng direktor… Maraming salamat po sa tiwala na binibigay n’yo sa akin. Ma’am Charo, sa mga boss, production, lahta na, mami-miss ko po kayo.”

Year 2022 is still a special milestone as MMK celebrates 31 years of storytelling, and Jenny Miller is honored to be with MMK in those three wonderful decades. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa MMk dahil naging parte ako ng 31 years ng MMK simula noong nagsimula ako sa showbiz at hanggang ngayon sa finale episode ng MMK. Maraming maraming salamat. Isang malaking karangalan na mapili ako sa mga episodes na nagampanan ko sa inyo. Isa kayong malaking tulong para doon sa mga kababayan natin na nakapag-share ng mga kwento nila at nakapag-inspire kayo sa kanila at nagbigay ng push sa buhay. Thank you sa MMK. Maraming maraming salamat sa lahat. Congratulations sa 31 years!”

Not only did MMK train Meg Imperial into the actress she is today, but the drama anthology also inspired her with life lessons through their unique and real stories. “Sa lahat ng bumubuo ng MMK, sobrang thank you. Sobrang salamat for giving me an opportunity na maging parte ng mga episodes at mga kwento ng MMK. Naging malaking bahagi kayo ng karera ko sa industriya ng pag-arte. Ang dami kong natutunan, ang dami kong napulot na aral hindi lamang sa pag-arte kundi pati na rin sa buhay dahil sa mga kwento ninyo na makabuluhan at relatable talaga sa mga tao.”

She also thanked MMK for trusting her acting skills and said she will forever be proud of her MMK stints. She would tell her future children that she once acted in the iconic program. “Thank you kasi pinagkatiwalaan ninyo ako sa mga roles lalo na sa mga episodes kung saan ako ang lead. Maraming maraming salamat. Isang karangalan ‘yun para sa akin. Forever kong dadalhin sa akin ang mga episodes na ‘yun. Forever kong maaalala yun na maipagmamalaki ko sa magiging anak ko na naging parte ako nga napakagandang show ng MMK. Thank you at nakakalungkot man isipin pero happy pa rin dahil ang tagal nabuhay ng MMK at ang dami ninyong na-inspire. So, thank you so much.”

Vivoree Esclito reminisced how MMK allowed her to live out real personalities that made a mark on the hearts and minds of the viewers. “Ang ipinagpapasalamat ko talaga sa MMK ay ‘yung mabigyan ng opportunity na gumanap ng characters sa totoong buhay, na magkwentong ng istorya na nangyari in real life. I think that’s one of my privileges din talaga when it comes to acting kasi hindi lang ako nag-portray ng character pero nag-portray ako ng character na may buhay at totoong kwento.”

Kaila Estrada, who carries the torch for MMK’s final act “Scarlet Women,” celebrates the opportunities MMK has given her, especially in portraying inspiring characters. “With MMK, I am most thankful for the opportunity that I was able to be a part of it, to be part of the 31 years, to have been given the chance to portray these powerful stories. So, thank you so much MMK. Thank you, Ma’am Charo for such an opportunity. It’s truly an honor.”

Like most of us, McCoy de Leon is saddened by the drama anthology’s farewell. Nonetheless, he is thankful to be part of MMK. “To be honest talaga, malungkot na malungkot ako. Marami akong memories sa MMK. Marami akong gusto pang gawin. Actually, bitin ‘yung feeling na parang gusto ko pang bumalik pero bakit wala na. Umaasa ako na sana merong makapalit… Thank you sa lahat ng taga-MMK na binigyan ako ng maraming chance, na binigyan ako ng matitinding role.”

Giving life to the stories in MMK is truly a test of one’s mettle. Jake Cuenca is proud to include MMK in his résumé as an actor. “For me, it has been an honor. To all the MMKs that I have done, characters I have portrayed in MMK, certainly it’s been an honor. And thank you for being part of my acting journey. Thank you so much, Maalaala Mo Kaya.”

RK Bagatsing expressed his appreciation to MMK for not only shaping him as an actor but more so inspiring him to count his blessings. Every MMK episode is fused with lessons that motivate both the audience and the actors.

He related, “’Pag nakaka-portray ako ng characters sa MMK, mas lalo pa akong nagiging thankful sa buhay ko kasi, of course, hindi natin maaalis na may pinagdadaanan tayo sa sarili nating karera. Pero doon mo din mare-realize na kung ako yung ilagay doon sa sitwasyon niya, hindi ko rin alam din anong mararamdaman ko kasi ang tindi ng pinagdadaanan niya sa buhay niya. Sa mga taong ginampanan ko doon, it makes you appreciate more kung ano’ng meron ka, the little joys of what you have. At the end of the day, mare-realize mo sobra sobra pala kasi ‘yung iba mas mabigat ‘yung pinagdadaanan kesa sa’yo.”Along with these artists, letter senders, and fans who have been with the MMK in the past three decades, we are thankful for the tears, smiles, inspiration, and wonderful memories.

Don’t miss the finale episode of MMK “Scarlet Women,” tonight, on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z.