The longest running drama anthology on Philippine television Maalaala Mo Kaya or MMK has been moved to a Saturday night timeslot and what better way to inaugurate the move but by featuring the most controversial actress in the Philippines in her first acting job in years. That’s no other than Gretchen Barretto in Maalaala Mo Kaya’s “Salamin”. Starring opposite Ms. Gretchen Barretto are Philip Salvador, who is also back in his first acting job as well in years and Tonton Gutierrez.

Salamin synopsis

Philip Salvador plays a Town Mayor who likes Margarita ( Gretchen Baretto ). Margarita and family were financially hardup because of his irresponsible husband Jun (Tonton Gutierrez). Margarita and Jun has 2 children. Their first daughter decided to live with his boyfriend at a young age driven by their family’s situation. Margarita is unhappy that his husband is not really trying his best to become a good provider to his family, plus the fact that he still relies on his mother for support.

The Mayor took care and comfort of Margarita. He made her feel special. Their affair has been revealed to Jun, her husband, but he did not do something about it, understanding that Margarita only did it because he was sure it was because of his inadequacies as a husband.

Their affair lasted for 10 years and Margarita has learned to love the Mayor. Unfortunately, the mayor had cancer and Margarita took care of him up until his last. Thereafter, what happened to their lives has had some imprint on her husband, Jun. It somehow taught him a lesson. He became a changed man and husband and he was able to forgive Margarita so they can be husband and wife again. End of Story.

Yet another network war article by Ronald Constantino, observing that GMA despite its high ratings have the same ad load as ABS-CBN which captures the A&B market more.

‘CLASS’ & ‘MASA’ – A showbiz authority notes that while GMA is way, way ahead of ABS-CBN in the primetime race, both networks are “fully loaded,” meaning overflowing with commercials. One would expect GMA to have much more sponsors than ABS-CBN, yet they’re about even in advertisements.

Why is this so?

The showbiz authority in reference says it’s because advertisers are now considering not only the number of viewers, but quality of shows as well. GMA primetime programs may have the number, large viewership, but ABS-CBN has the quality, the high production values and the technical craftsmanship.

Think of ABS-CBN’s ‘Lobo’ and ‘Maligno’ and ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya,’ the showbiz authority continues. Think of GMA’s ‘Joaquin Bordado’ and ‘Dyesebel’ and ‘Babangon Ako at Dudurugin Kita.’ Compare and see the difference.

Seems that ABS-CBN has the limited A & B market, while GMA has captured the much bigger C, D, & E viewers. And it tells in the ratings. Advertisers target both audiences. Which explains why both channels are “fully loaded.”

A question of “Class” & “Masa.”