Laugh and learn with John and Ellen

A story about family never gets old regardless of genre — drama or comedy. That’s why watching a family sitcom is a part of every Filipino household entertainment.

TV5’s John En Ellen, which airs Sunday nights at 7, is a welcome addition to one’s collection of content that reflects and tackles the Pinoy family dynamics. Let’s hear it, this time around, from the Kulantong Family.

Head of the family (Haligi ng Tahanan) is John Lennon Kulantong, played by John Estrada, while lady of the house (Ilaw ng Tahanan) is Ellen Kulantong (Ellen Adarna). Completing their humble abode are kids Camille and Valentino Kulantong, portrayed by Angelina Cruz and Yogo Singh.

“My character and Ellen’s met in college,” John said of the family-sitcom premise in a recent virtual media conference. “He belongs to an average family, na sumalangit na yung mga magulang niya. Meron naiwan sa kanya na konting mana. He fell in love with her (Ellen). Although he earned a degree, he (is still waiting for a much-needed) break and still struggling.”

It means John Lennon has yet to secure a stable job. The Kulantongs, however, are grateful for what they have like sharing a simple meal with everybody. Each family member feels fortunate to be a Kulantong and considers having a loving, solid family a blessing.

“What I really like about us is kapag may problema, minsan tinatawanan lang natin (when we have a problem, we just laugh at it),” shared John of a way how Filipinos show optimism. “It is something we have (incorporated) in John En Ellen.”

That John Lennon keeps his positivity is one of the many qualities Ellen Kulantong finds endearing.

“She is a rich kid but not materialistic,” said Ellen, whose last TV project was Home Sweetie Home. “She stays with John (Lennon) because of his good values.” John Lennon reciprocates that with much love for he knows the life of comfort his wife has given up just to commit to this lifetime partnership. He loves her because she is self-reliant given her father’s social standing.

“It was fun,” Ellen said of acting on the small screen again. “At first, I was kinda nervous because ang tagal na, it’s been three years (since my last project). The John En Ellen family on the set was very warm and it (didn’t) feel like work at all.”

Also part of the couple’s journey is Ellen’s father, Don Lucky, played by Ronaldo Valdez. “I would say he is a normal (regular) dad who happens to be rich, may kaya sa buhay,” he said. “I suppose just like any other dad, (he) is concerned about the well-being of his daughter. Maybe, in a way, he is a bit possessive to the point that he seems not giving his daughter the chance to act and decide on her own. He tends to forget that his child has a life and a family of her own.”

John En Ellen continues the tradition of presenting familiar and familial narratives through a sitcom. It promotes Filipino values like cooperation to address challenges (like dealing with meddling in-laws and raising children in the digital age) as what one could gain from the media call.

Laugh and learn with the Kulantongs by adding John En Ellen to your Sunday viewing habit.

(Produced by Cignal Entertainment, John En Ellen is also available on Cignal TV Channel 202 HD and Channel 60 SD.)