‘Starstruck’ 1 alumni reunite in ‘Sa Piling ni Nanay’

CEBU, Philippines - GMA Network launches its newest Afternoon Prime series “Sa Piling Ni Nanay” beginning June 27 after “Hanggang Makita Kang Muli.”

Another original and intriguing family drama directed by Gil Tejada Jr., it tackles the story of a surrogate mother and her selfless love for the daughter she carried. “Sa Piling Ni Nanay” features the reunion of StarStruck Season 1 alumni Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras and Katrina Halili.

Yasmien is Ysabel, a single mother to her loving daughter Maymay. She works as a personal assistant to Scarlet, a socialite played by Katrina. However, Scarlet cannot bear a child so she convinces Ysabel to become their surrogate. She agrees to surrogacy because she needs money for the treatment of Maymay’s bone marrow transplant.

But halfway through Ysabel’s pregnancy, Maymay unexpectedly dies from an accident. Due to depression and loneliness, Ysabel breaks the surrogacy agreement, flees with the baby and decides to raise her as her own, calling her Maya in memory of her daughter who passed away.

Mark, on the other hand, portrays Jonas, a bachelor who secretly has feelings for Ysabel. But his love for her turned into hatred when she took away Scarlet’s child who is also the grandchild of his aunt Matilda.

With Ysabel and Scarlet’s battle to win Maya, who has the real rights over the child? The mother by blood or the mother who gave birth to her? Is blood thicker than love?

Joining them are seasoned actress Nova Villa as Matilda, Scarlet’s rich mother-in-law who eagerly wants a grandchild from her; Bettina Carlos as Wanda, Scarlet’s OB/GYN friend who gave consent to her request to conduct surrogacy; Antonio Aquitania as Rod, Ysabel’s abusive live-in partner; Sofia Jayzel Cabatay as Maya, the child of Ysabel born out of surrogacy.

Witness how a mother’s love can protect her child in “Sa Piling Ni Nanay” beginning Monday.  (FREEMAN)