Shocking, exciting finale week begins for ‘Broken Marriage Vow’

CEBU, Philippines — As one of the year’s most-talked about teleseryes on Pinoy television enters its final week, how do the directors of ABS-CBN’s “The Broken Marriage Vow” hope the show will be remembered for years to come?

“Based on the feedback given to me, I guess this is the first teleserye where the approach was very Filipino, but in a global context. Pinoy naman tayo that’s why lahat ng gawa natin very Filipino. Except that here there was a conscious, mindful effort to have a global approach,” said director Connie Macatuno.

“Kumbaga, nagpapakilala ka sa ibang bansa na eto kami bilang Pilipino. Part of my joy about this, hindi lang Pilipinas ang nagsaya or was able to connect with it, kundi lahat ng Pilipino sa buong mundo na inaabutan ng TFC. How I know is because they reach out. I don’t know them, but they message me that they feel proud to be Filipinos.”

For her co-director Andoy Ranay, he believes the end result elevated how Pinoy teleseryes should be made, which is why a tougher task faces the next helmers of Filipino television programs that wish to catch the attention of international audiences.

“It was very challenging because we are doing an adaptation na marami ng gumawa sa ibang bansa. I believe doon sa pagtaas ng standard natin and to compete globally as Filipino filmmakers. Kung dati ang aabangan ng mga manonood na Pilipino ay yung mga nagsasampalan…as a filmmaker na gumagawa ng teleserye, naiangat na natin at this point kung paano tayo nagkukwento via a global brand that is ‘Doctor Foster,’” he said.

“Nakaka-stress din at nakaka-pressure doon sa susunod kasi kailangan mas maganda na dito. Parang kailangan hindi na tayo dapat bumalik sa dati for us to compete globally and be recognized as well in digital platforms all over the world.”

In a statement, SVP Format Sales for BBC Studios André Renaud hailed the country’s adaptation of the global hit that is “Doctor Foster,” saying, “It has been a pleasure to see the development of Drama Republic’s Doctor Foster from Mike Bartlett’s brilliant original concept  into the exciting story of the Broken Marriage Vow that ABS-CBN Entertainment has brought to the Filipino audience. The series has shown that we can watch a story become unique all over again when given a local setting and connecting into the lives of a new audience.”

Renaud added, “The Broken Marriage Vow has set out to do this from Deo Endrinal and director Connie Macatuno’s original vision and commitment to celebrating local artists, designers, and craftworkers, ensuring that Dr. Jill’s story reflects back to viewers their everyday while taking them away from it at the same time.”

Once torn apart by her husband’s betrayal, Jill (Jodi Sta. Maria) is ramping up her efforts to protect her dignity and her son Gio (Zaijian Jaranilla) as her rage reaches new heights in the last five days of “The Broken Marriage Vow: The Shocking Part.”

Jill has had enough of David’s (Zanjoe Marudo) scheming tactics as she made it clear to her ex-husband that she wants him out of her and Gio’s lives for good since they were unable to separate amicably. Despite Gio’s deep resentment, David’s interference in their affairs remains persistently dangerous.

Because of David’s obsession, Jill refuses to be dragged into his web of lies and is hell-bent on letting Lexy (Sue Ramirez), David’s wife, know that he isn’t done with his philandering ways - after confessing that she and David spent a steamy night together.

As her once seemingly perfect life spirals out of control, Lexy’s doubts about David’s infidelity will begin to haunt her. David, on the other hand, will remain coy about his wrongdoings as he struggles to maintain his relationships with not only Jill and Gio, but with Lexy and her entire family as well.

Gio will continue to be caught between his warring parents as he struggles with his anxiety caused by the traumatic experiences within their family. Will Jill succeed in protecting Gio by driving David and Lexy out of their lives? Will Lexy and David’s relationship survive their impending problems?

Aside from iWantTFC and Viu, “The Broken Marriage Vow” can also be seen on weeknights at 9:20 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page.

For Jodi, her early challenge really was, “Paano siya maiiba doon sa nauna?” The role, she said, is probably one of the hardest she’s had to date as it pushed her to the edge and tested her limits as an actress – so much so that she had quipped to her director and leading man that this was going to be her last soap.

“This was during the launch of the teaser – I told Zanjoe and Direk Connie that this will be my last project kasi hindi ko alam kung meron pa ba akong maibibigay sa susunod. After coming out of lock in, I realized I was so tired. I was physically, emotionally and mentally exhausted. Feeling ko talaga nasagad ako. I felt like all my creative juices were cut off.”

After allowing herself time to recharge, Jodi said she has since changed her mind, although nothing is concrete yet in terms of her next project. “Yan ang aabangan nilang exciting part...,” she teased, borrowing from one of her character’s popular lines.

Asked the biggest realization from her role, Jodi mused, “Our life will only move towards the direction of our decisions. So we have to really choose our battles wisely. If we’re given the chance to treat the person the same way they treated you, I will always hope that we choose the high road and always choose to do better.”

As for Sue, her casting as the hated mistress in “The Broken Marriage Vow” has not only placed he front and center, and ahead of her peers, it also brought back a poignant memory of when she was still dreaming of everything she has now.

“I was 11 years old when I first saw Ate Jodi, hindi pa ako artista. She was taping ‘Tayong Dalawa’ in our village in Paranaque. I biked from our house to their set and watched their taping. Her son Thirdy was just a baby then, and I approached and took a picture of them,” recalled Sue.

“When I look back at those moments, and looking at our relationship now, not in my wildest dreams did I imagine back then that I will be working with her. Yun yung binabalik balikan ko palagi tuwing nakakausap ko si Ate Jodi. Kung paano niya ako tinanggap dito bilang katrabaho, it’s really a humbling experience.