The series was announced in late 2008 (the same year Zaijian Jaranilla became an actor of ABS-CBN/Star Magic) when the network's TV production team looked for a church fit to set its religious-themed story, with the series was originally named "Marcelino" before changing to its final title "May Bukas Pa" few months after the show's announcement. The story conference for the series was done on January 9, 2009, where the logo for the show was revealed, and taping or principal photography of the series was made from January 15, 2009, to February 5, 2010.[7] Most of the scenes are taped in San Guillermo Parish Church in Barangay Cabambangan & Municipal Hall of Bacolor in Barangay Calibutbut of Bacolor, Pampanga. Overall, the production process of the series which included its announcement and story conference spanned two years.
As a result of the show's popularity, other media related to the series were aired or released.
The show aired two reruns of its first season, the first being from April 9 to 11, 2009 during the Paschal Triduum of that year, in which the first 48 episodes were re-aired during the said period.
The second reruns were re-aired from March 16, 2020 to May 4, 2020 ten years after the end of the show's original airing on February 5, 2010, temporarily replacing Ang Probinsyano due to the community quarantines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, which resulted in ABS-CBN suspending the tapings of their then-ongoing drama series. During this period, the first 65 episodes of the series were re-aired.[8]
The said reruns ended on May 5, 2020 due to the network's shut down on that night as a result of the expiration of its broadcast franchise granted in 1995 the day prior.
Series
Chapter numbers (with episode numbers)
No. of chapters
No. of episodes (each chapter numbers and other media)
The story revolves around Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla), a wide-eyed young boy who was orphaned as a baby before being adopted and raised by Franciscans. Living in the fictional town of Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, he eventually discovers the ability to see and speak with Jesus Christ, whom he fondly called “Bro”. He also gains the ability to miraculously heal the sick. With these special abilities, Santino goes out to help other people with their problems and make a difference in their lives.[9]
It focuses on kindness and morality in humanity. A child who believes that there's always a way to fix everything even if you did something bad. He believes that "Bro", his nickname for Jesus Christ, will always guide them by the light. It has such a great impact on most Filipinos on how they view life on a positive side.
In line with the show's immense popularity, various merchandise such as tshirts, sandals and other items were made for children. They were available from 2009 to 2010, and can still able to be bought within 2010 even after the show ended on February 5, 2010 until there are no more left or they became out of stock on all stores.
Music
Theme song
The theme song of the religious drama with the same title was originally performed by Rico J. Puno. The first version is sung by Kyle Balili and the second version is sung by Erik Santos.
ABS-CBN's Christmas 2009 campaign was inspired by the show's popularity. The song is entitled "Star ng Pasko" (lit.'Star of Christmas'). Christmas lanterns were specially created by ABS-CBN that are sold to benefit ABS-CBN foundation's charity programs. ABS-CBN launched Parol ni Bro on November 4, 2009, where an 18-foot Christmas lantern on the top of the ABS-CBN building was lit up by the May Bukas Pa cast, ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, and ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio Lopez III.[11]
It was later used for the network's 2010 and 2019 Christmas Station IDs "Ngayong Pasko Magniningning Ang Pilipino" (lit.'This Christmas, the Filipinos will Shine') and "Family is Forever". It also has musical similarities with the 2002, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2020, and 2023 Christmas Station IDs "Isang Pamilya, Isang Puso, Ngayong Pasko", "Sabay Tayo, Kapamilya", "Walang Mag-iisa Ngayong Pasko", "Ngayong Pasko Magniningning Ang Pilipino", "Just Love Ngayong Christmas", and "Ikaw ang Liwanag at Ligaya". GMA also had its 2019 Christmas Station ID "Love Shines" having scenes patterned after the 2009 ID.
Reception
Due to the show's ratings, ABS-CBN's management has decided to extend it for 20 weeks instead of the initial eight weeks.[12] On June 23, 2009, ABS-CBN television head Cory Vidanes announced that the show would be extended until February 2010.[13]
May Bukas Pa was the highest-rated program on Philippine television from 2009 to June 3, 2011 when the 2010–2011 series Mara Clara became the highest-rating show from 2011 to 2012. The series became the first primetime TV series in the Philippines to have lasted at least a full year and end in the 2010s decade, peaking during its finale with 47.3% nationwide rating according to Kantar Media/TNS. It currently stands as the country's highest-rated show of all time since Philippine television switched to a nationwide TV ratings system in the opening day of 2009.[14][15][16]
Critical reception
Entertainment columnist Nestor Torre of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said "It must have been a big decision for the new show’s producers to get away from that downbeat view of life and come up with this Marcelino Pan Y Vino-inspired tale. But it’s great to note that the gamble has paid off in a big way: May Bukas Pa has been enjoying very good ratings, proving what we’ve been saying all this time--that viewers want to be inspired by the dramas they watch." However, he criticized the show's "religious" scenes which are "poorly, shallowly staged, thus making genuine inspiration and devotion difficult to come by while viewing the series." He further criticized the show's use of extras mostly playing sick people, who turn out to be bad actors. He adds, "Any director worth his salt would have sensed that the montage of healing needed good actors to make it meaningful and moving. Why were inept actors used instead? Possibly because the production was scrimping on talent fees. Well, it was a penny-wise pound-foolish decision, because the important sequence was botched."[17]
Accolades
As a result of the show's success, many awards associated with the show were awarded and announced through telecast from 2009 to 2011 (with Jeepney Fan Favorite Awards - Fave Child Star was awarded to the show's lead actor Zaijian Jaranilla in 2022 eleven years after the last award (1st Lingkod TV Awards - Most Favorite Child Personalities) was announced through TV broadcast in 2011). May Bukas Pa received an award at the 2009 Catholic Mass Media Awards (besides its Best Drama award), given by Manila ArchbishopGaudencio Rosales. The award was received by lead star Zaijian Jaranilla and the supporting actors who play priests (who also wore cassocks for the occasion).[18] Anak TV Seal Awards was also awarded twice in 2009 and 2010 (with the latter along with Noah, Jaranilla's next drama on-screen appearance after May Bukas Pa).
The movie Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!, released on April 23, 2011 one year and two months after May Bukas Pa ended, has similarities with the series where Zaijian Jaranilla (who portrays as Angelito in the movie) can able to do miracles to help other people such as healing the sick as well as communicating with spiritual beings (Bro/Jesus Christ and Satan (in the form of a red light) in May Bukas Pa, and God (as a white light) in Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!).
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