Strong and independent was how the pilot episode of Make it With You established Gabriel ‘Gabo’ Villarica’s character portrayed by Enrique Gil. He was raised by a rigid and devious business tycoon father whom he grew a rough relationship with. Therefore, he had to discover life – both its beautiful and ugly parts – all by his own.
The young man seems equipped with precise game plans to run not just his own company but his life as a whole. Yet, behind the enigmatic eyes and polished debonair looks is the hidden yearning for certainty. Gabo is still searching and exploring. And when trapped in precarious situations, he has one person to run to – his Tita Jessica (Pokwang) – the woman who selflessly fills in his quiet longing for a motherly care.
The loving aunt is full of wit, evident on how she tried to play hide-and-seek with Gabo by blending in a huge painting on the wall. She knew Gabo is consumed by problems just by a look on his face. She remained calm while listening to his side of the story. Jessica then explored the situation and presented a couple of options, proving that she is fair. Further, she motivated him to become the best version of himself.
Jessica is the only one brave enough to defend Gabo from Ted (Ian Veneracion)’s harsh assumptions and authoritarian approach. She’s always believed there’s more to Gabo than just being his father’s puppet and that it’s unfair to project Ted’s bitterness to her innocent nephew. Not long after she was introduced in the story, Jessica’s character was made to remind Ted about Gabo’s freedom.
The woman encouraged Gabo to break his walls down and be honest especially about his painful past with Billy (Liza Soberano), not to act nosy but to completely empathize with him. She wanted to know what’s troubling his mind, so she could be of help. Jessica remained patient even if Gabo refused to come clean, asking him to loosen up by writing on a journal instead.
Until one day, she finally heard him talk a little about the girl he met in Croatia. While the description undoubtedly made a good impression, Jessica enlightened Gabo on the need to still hire the Dimagibas as Tinapay Corner suppliers.
One of the highlights in the story was the fiasco involving the series’ main love triangle. Thrill rushed right to Jessica’s heart upon seeing Gabo talking with a sensual Billy in the kitchen, assuming that the young ones made love overnight. Rio (Katarina Rodriguez) and Tony (Herbert Bautista) entered the scene, making things a lot more complicated. Tony punched Gabo in the face. In the middle of the chaos, Jessica made sure to stick by Gabo’s side to defend and nurse him.
Just like a typical mother, Jessica is always there to correct Gabo’s mistakes like when he made a work-related announcement in the middle of his employee’s birthday party. She told him to connect and act a little friendly to his subordinates.
Jessica grants Gabo the freedom to decide for himself while making sure to guide him every step of the way. She says Gabo has the right to rule his life but he must always learn to discern things. Catch Tita Jessica’s witty and priceless words of wisdom on Make it With You on Primetime Bida.