May Bukas Pa (2009 TV series)

May Bukas Pa
File:May Bukas Pa.jpg
Created by	José Maria Sanchez Silva
Directed by	Jerome Pobocan Jojo Saguin
Starring	Zaijan Jaranilla as Santino
Theme music composer	Baby Gina Palcon
Ending theme	May Bukas Pa by Kyle Balili/ Erik Santos
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	Filipino/Tagalog, English
No. of episodes	153 (as of September 2, 2009)
Production
Executive producer	Annielyn Baleza
Production locations	Metro Manila Bacolor, Pampanga
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	February 2, 2009 – present
Related
The Miracle of Marcelino

May Bukas Pa (literal meaning of "There Is Still Tomorrow", which actually means "There Is Still Hope") is a Philippine drama series which started airing on February 2, 2009 at ABS-CBN. It is loosely based on the 1955 Spanish film The Miracle of Marcelino (Marcelino Pan y Vino).

Production

Most of the scenes in May Bukas Pa are taped in the 4th class municipality of Bacolor, Pampanga. This includes its municipal hall, bank, public market and its church (San Guillermo Parish Church) which creates the fictional town of "Bagong Pag-asa."

Plot

Set in the fictional town of Bagong Pag-asa (Filipino for "New Hope"), the story revolves around Santino (Zaijan Jaranilla), an orphan abandoned as a baby in a graveyard where he was found by the old sexton. The sexton brought the baby to the priests of the nearby monastery. The priests raised the child, and Santino grew into an adventurous young boy.

As Santino wandered one day into the cemetery, he found a dirty statue of Jesus Christ, standing with arms wide open. Santino noticed the wounds on the palms and feet of the statue (a reference to the Holy Wounds into which the nails bore through during the Crucifixion). Remarking that Jesus was hurt, Santino takes the monastery's first aid supplies and used them to treat the statue's wounds. The statue came to life and becomes Santino's friend and confidant. Santino affectionately calls Jesus the modern nickname, "Bro" (short for brother).

When Santino's friend Joy (Phebe Khae Arbotante) turns ill and dying, he seeks the mercy of Bro, and prayed for a miracle to continue Joy's life. Bro then bestows Santino the power to heal sick and disabled people. The priests and Joy's parents, a couple who work as cops, witnessed Santino praying for the miracle which immediately healed Joy. The news of the miracle was heard across town. People who sought healing for their illnesses and disabilities came to the monastery and Santino heals them one after another.

The new town mayor, Enrique Rodrigo/Gonzalvo Policarpio (Albert Martinez), lusting for money, drives him to claim the land where the monastery stands, on where he could build a casino. He starts by attempting to put the monastery to bankruptcy. He sends mercenaries to rob the church's funds and destroy the monastery's farm. Although he diminished the monastery's financial resources, the townspeople offered aid to the priests after discovering their loss.

Enrique then hears about Santino's ability to heal people. Believing that Santino brings luck to the monastery, he starts his plan to take him away from the priests by sending social workers to assess the boy's condition in the monastery. Enrique made them believe that the priests were abusing Santino by forcing him to heal people. Worsening the events, a jail escapee kidnaps Santino in order to heal his sick child. After Santino was rescued from the kidnapper, the social workers decided that the monastery is unfit for Santino to live in, and he was taken away from the monastery. He was brought to an orphanage where he would be waiting for parents to adopt him.

A couple comes to the orphanage planning to adopt Santino. Santino overhears the husband telling his wife about his plan of using Santino to earn money by healing rich people with illnesses. Santino then flees from the orphanage and rode inside a vegetable delivery truck. He then arrives in another town, where he finds care from Berting Aragon (Robert Arevalo), a puto vendor. Santino befriends Berting's biological granddaughter, whose father, Jojo, loathed Berting for leaving him and his mother for another woman, years ago.

Meanwhile, Enrique sends mercenaries to find Santino. They find the boy and attempt to abduct him, but he was rescued by Jojo, who was stabbed and was rushed to the hospital. There he realized Berting's fatherly love for him, and with Santino's help, Berting and Jojo reconciled. Jojo then drives Santino back to the monastery in Bagong Pag-asa. The custody of Santino was returned to the priests.

Cast

Main cast

• Zaijan Jaranilla as Gabriel Santino M. Rodrigo/Policarpio - A kind-hearted and clever young boy. Longing for the love of his real mother, he finds a friend in the person of "Bro" (Jesus Christ), who helps him change the lives of the people in their town. Known for his healing powers. He is Enrique and Teresa's biological son, unknown to both Santino and Enrique.

• Albert Martinez as Mayor Enrique D. Rodrigo/ Gonzalvo Policarpio - The mayor of Bagong Pag-asa. His lust for wealth and power will drive him to do illegal acts. He never treats Stella as his real daughter; it is revealed later on that Enrique is, in fact, not her biological father. He is Santino's biological father, and he later gives in, developing a sense of compassion for the boy. Later on in the story, he is actually the child of the couple who was killed when Doña Anita was taking over the land he was living on before.

• Dina Bonnevie as Malena Rodriguez-Rodrigo/Policarpio - The wife of Enrique. She will do everything to prove her love for her husband. Coming from a wealthy family, Malena envied her sister Selda's intelligence and love with Mario, for she loved him too. This pushed her to commit wrong deeds. Underneath her beauty and glamor is a dark secret that continues to haunt her: she is the only one who knows Santino's biological mother. It was later revealed in a flashback that she accidentally killed Santino's mother. She is initially mistaken to be Santino's mother. She is the only one who can prove that Santino is indeed Enrique's son with Teresa.

• Tonton Gutierrez as Mario Sta. Maria - A policeman whose terminally-ill daughter Joy was miraculously healed by Santino. He is Malena's ex-lover and, Stella's father. He, however, was dismissed from service for alleged insubordination and absence without leave, but resumed with the help of Mayor Enrique.

• Maja Salvador as Stella R. Sta. Maria - The obedient daughter of Enrique and Malena. She treats Santino as her younger brother. It is revealed that her biological father is Mario. She was once the girlfriend of Cocoy. She later leaves her parents for their differences, and moves in with Selda and Mario's. Stella went to the States but has now returned together with her grandmother.

• Rayver Cruz as Cocoy - An orphaned young man who works as an assistant at the monastery. He was previously detained several times for petty crimes. He is currently in a relationship with Stella, but they both broke up when Stella asked to, and further distanced away when Stella was sent to the US.

• Dominic Ochoa as Father Jose - Serves as the cook in the monastery. Santino considers him to be a father-figure. It was revealed by Enrique that he had a wife and a child who were killed in a car accident years prior to the setting, and Father Jose was the one blamed for their deaths.

• Desiree del Valle as Matilde/ Tilde - The mayor's secret girlfriend, who works as a prostitute. She helps in executing the mayor's orders in threatening Santino and the priests. Mayor's mistress.

• Precious Lara Quigaman as Selda Rodriguez-Sta. Maria - The wife of Mario, the mother of Joy, and the younger sister of Malena. She works as a policewoman. Santino looks up to her as a mother-figure. Along with her sister Malena, she also came from a rich family but she gave up her lifestyle in order to be with her lover, Mario.

• Lito Pimentel as Father Gregorio/ "Ringo" - A priest who left his life of parties and music to become a priest. His true past was revealed when Enrique was uncovering the dirty secrets of the monastery's priests. Father Ringo was an ex-convict for theft, and his calling to the priesthood came when he served as a sacristan during his time in prison. He is called 'Ringo' because he is the one who rings the church bells.

• Jaime Fabregas as Father Anthony - The chief administrator of the monastery. Underneath his strictness lies his love for Santino.

• An unidentified actor as "Bro" (Jesus Christ) - Santino's Friend and Confidant, and the source of his healing powers. It is to Him that Santino runs to for help or consolation. He appears to Santino from the statue in the cemetery. His face is never revealed whenever He is seen talking with Santino; camera shots of Him consist mostly of those from behind the back, or from the chest downwards or with the face obscured in some other manner.

Supporting cast

• Ogie Diaz as Renato "Atong" Arguelles - curiously gay husband of Baby.
• Arlene Muhlach as Viviana "Baby" Arguelles - the "Queen Of Gossips", and Malena's best friend. When Baby discovered that Malena's earrings are the same with Santino's, she suspects that Malena is Santino's mother.
• Victor Basa as Father John Delgado - He's a son of a wealthy Don, his father has a lot of dreams for him, but apparently, he became a priest which caused his father to hate him. Later, his father finally accept his son's choice.
• Badjie Mortiz as Fr. Paul Makopa - He is also the one who takes care of the garden of the monastery. He was also shot by Tatay Ben's allies
• David Chua as Fr. Chino "Chi" Wang - The treasurer of the monastery. He's a Chinese-Filipino and apparently was suppose to become a businessman, but eventually he doesn't want to because he wants to become a priest. Her sister has seek comfort from him after running away from her wedding day, after being pushed to marry a man she doesn't love.
• Andre Tiangco as Father George
• Ruben Gonzaga as Father Patrick - He takes care of the monastery's little farm. Both his parents are fishermen. He also has a younger brother named Jepoy, who he paid a visit to, and found out that he's involved in dynamite fishing.
• Edgar Sandalo as Father Jude - one of the 12 priests in the monastery, grumpy with white moustache, beard and hair.
• Aloysius Noroña as Father Thomas
• Tony Manalo as Father Miguel
• Robin Tolentino as Father Chris
• Timothy Lambert Chan as Rico R. Rodrigo/Policarpio - Enrique and Malena's son and half-sister to Stella. He now starts being friends with Santino after seeing Santino's goodsight, although he doesn't that they are half-brothers.
• Phebe Khae Arbotante as Joy R. Sta. Maria - Mario and Selda's daughter, and Stella's half-sister/cousin. When she was terminally ill, she was saved by Santino. As one of Santino's closest friends, she became a member of Santino's Angels.

Extended Cast

• Francis Magundayao as Paco - one of Santino's closest friends. He used to beg with his grandmother by acting very poor but after his grandmother got involved in accident and apparently healed by Santino, He promised to God that he will never do those things again. He also became one of the scholars of the monastery and as Santino's friends became a member of Santino's Angels.
• Miguelito de Guzman as Alfred - He became friends with Santino after running away from home after his parents are about to have divorce. He's also a member of Santino's Angels.
• Liza Lorena as Doña Anita Rodriguez - Malena & Selda's mother. After living in the United States for several years, she returns to the Philippines to pay a visit to the family together with Stella and Robert, her personal assistant. Doña Anita was captured and imprisoned after being accused for the murder that happened to Bagong Pag-asa 30 years ago.
• Michael Conan - a new Police Officer assigned for his mission to Bagong Pag-asa.
• Ron Morales as Robert/Martin Policarpio - Doña Anita's personal assistant who practically takes care of every files Doña Anita got. He has worked for Doña Anita since she was in the States, he also now takes care of Doña Anita's case. It is later revealed that he is the younger brother of Enrique or Gonsalvo Policarpio.
• Jerry O'Hara as Senior Superintendent Raul Guevarra - the new Chief of Police in Bagong Pag-asa.

Other Characters

• Rosalie, Kimberly, and Jennifer - Baby's gossip allies. They are the most annoying and mouth-blabbering women of Bagong Pag-asa who has nothing to do but gossip other people's lives. They normally always rush in Baby's shop to tell gossip, but most of the time being told by Atong to "Layas!", which means, "Go away!".

Guesting Cast By Chapter

Chapter One: Mystery

Found abounded as an infant in a cemetery, Santino is adopt by a group of priests in a small town, who all pitch in to raise him as a little boy. Santino grows up happily in the church living with the priests, who raise him as their own.

• Chin-Chin Gutierrez as Narrator (during the pilot episode)/Teresa Malimban - Santino's biological mother. Enrique's former mistress before Malena. She was killed accidentally by Malena. Father Anthony doesn't believe that she is Santino's true mother because he noticed Santino's earring isn't the same with her (Teresa's) own pair.
• Cris Daluz as Emong - caretaker of cemetery
• Tony Mabesa as Mayor Pio J. Ruiz - former mayor of Bagong Pag-asa
• Liza Lorena as Doña Anita Rodriguez - Malena & Selda's Mother.
• Francis Magundayao as Paco - He used to beg with his grandmother .
• Eva Darren as Lola Belen - Paco's grandmother she makes plans to make herself get cured by Santino.

Chapter Two: Remorse

Santino was kidnapped by an unknown man in the middle of the night. It was later revealed that this man is Olegario Pineda, a criminal who Mario have imprisoned years ago. Mario suspects that Olegario kidnapped Santino to take revenge, however, this is not the real reason. As the two journeys to an unknown location, Olegario tells Santino that he needs him to heal his son who has a brain tumor allowing his son to only have a shorter life. Olegario and santino successfully made it to town of Sta. Maria where Santino could finally heal Olegario's son. In these events, Olegario was taken over by the police as they arrive, he was numerously shot by another policeman even though Santino begs that he is a good person. Later, Santino grants his promise to Olegario that he would heal his son.

• John Estrada as Olegario "Oleg" Pineda - a prison escapee who kidnaps Santino in hopes for a miracle to heal his seriously illed son. He later befriends with Santino in their way to Olegario's home. He then later surrenders himself to the police, but is unfortunately killed.
• Kimberly Diaz as Olegario's wife. She went to Santino in wish to heal their son, however, the court have forbidden Santino to heal people, due to the suspecting of this as a scam.

Chapter Three: Forgiveness

Meanwhile, after being held in an orphanage, Santino runs away after learning that a couple would want to take him just to make money on his healing abilities. As Santino runs away, he meets Lolo Berting, a puto vendor who helped him find his way home. As Santino lives with Lolo Berting, Santino slowly learns that Berting has mysteries of his own. His son, Jojo, has despised him for leaving him and his mother alone till his mother dies. Santino then makes Berting's son to realize that he has to forgive his father because everyone also needs to be forgiven.

• Robert Arevalo as Berting - a puto vendor who helped Santino when he was lost after running away from the shelter. His son has forbidden him from his life as it caused his mother to die. He comes around his son's house secretly and gives puto to his granddaughter, Bea.
• Richard Quan as Jojo - Berting's son, who has forgiven his father after Santino makes him realize that other people also needs to be forgiven. He also knows martial arts as he thought that after his father left him, he should learn how to protect himself. He helped Santino from being taken by Mayor's allies.
• Xyriel Anne Manabay as Bea - Jojo's daughter & Berting's granddaughter.
• Steven Christian Fermo as Young Jojo
• Jeffrey Hidalgo as Young Berting
• Jan Marini Alano as Fely Aragon - Berting's wife
• Tess Antonio - one of the social workers who came to the monastery to take custody of Santino.

Chapter Four: Memories

Julia suffers due to her mom's recent memory losses, causing her whole career, life and lovelife to be ruined. She feels depressed and tired about problems comes to her way. Her life then changes after meeting Santino.

• Claudine Barretto as Julia - a woman who carries bitterness in her heart. Her life will change after she meets miracle boy Santino.
• Boots Anson-Roa as Esmeralda - Julia's mother, an old woman suffering from Alzheimer's disease, causing her to quickly forget memories and sometimes being too childish as what most old people become.
• Ryan Ramos as Winston- Julia's ex-boyfriend, he broke up with her because of her concentration on taking care of her mother.

Chapter Five: History

Mayor spills all the malodorous secrets of the priest in the monastery revealing that Father Ringo was an ex-convict and Father Jose's family are all dead.

• Rodjun Cruz as young Ringo - As a teenager, Ringo was imprisoned for robbing a shop so that he can get money to help cure his ailing mother.

Chapter Six: Divorce

Alfred, one of the students in the Bagong Pag-Asa school, has a family problem because his parents are about to separate. As so Alfred moves to the monastery, causing his parents have a hard time looking for him. Thus, Santino helped the couple overcome their problem.

• Kaye Abad as Minerva - Alfred's mother and Peter's wife. She and her husband have been having problems due to family crisis and have been planning to separate, causing their child to run away from home.
• Joross Gamboa as Peter - Alfred's father and Minerva's husband. He and his wife have been having problems due to family crisis and have been planning to separate, causing their child to run away from home.
• Miguelito de Guzman as Alfred - Peter and Minerva's son. He ran away from after discovering that his parents are getting a divorce. He ended up in the monastery where he met Santino.

Chapter Seven: Magic

Santino visits the circus and meets a magician named Ricardo. Ricardo and Santino later became friends revealing that Ricardo has a broken family he longs to see but due to some issues, meeting them is not easy.

• Gabby Concepcion as Ricardo - a magician that Santino met in the circus. Santino later finds out that he is just a lonely man looking for the comforts of his broken family.
• Jobelle Salvador as Kate - the wife of Ricardo who separated with him due to family crisis
• Jacob Rica as Michael - Ricardo and Kate's 2nd child
• Alexa Ilacad as Michelle - daughter of Ricardo and Kate who died because of Leukemia
• Archie Alemania as Tipoy - Ricardo's friend works on with him on a circus

Chapter Eight: Wealth

Santino and the priests visited Father John's hacienda, where they've meet the latter's father, Don Miguel. However, Don Miguel doesn't welcome his son's priesthood and thinks that John's plans are just silliness. He believes that his son becoming a priest is not the way to happiness. He only believes that the only thing that will let his son gain happiness in life is money.

• Dante Rivero as Don Miguel Delgado - father of Brother John. He initially refused Brother John's plan of being a priest because he believed that being rich and wealthy is the best way to get happiness, but soon realizes after having a talk to Santino that it is not.
• Nanding Josef as Manding - helper of Don Miguel whom Father John is more closer to, which caused Don Miguel to feel jealous because John treats Manding more as a father.
• Peewee O'hara - as Manding's wife.

Chapter Nine: Search

Santino meets a runaway woman named Cheska. She later reveals to Santino that she was searching for her biological mother who from what she knows still lives in Bagong Pag-asa. Her mother was later revealed to be the owner of the strip club of the town, "Heaven's Gate", but unluckily isn't excited to meet her daughter.

• Cristine Reyes as Cheska - a runaway young woman who searches for real self. After finding out that she was an adopted child, she searched to find her whole life to meet her biological mother
• Lotlot De Leon as Natty - Cheska's adoptive mother. A woman who never gets a chance to get pregnant. She bought Cheska from Ella just after they saved her from committing suicide. Nattie and her husband took care of Ella while she's pregnant and bought the kid after it was born.
• John Arcilla as Edwardo - Nattie's husband and Cheska's adoptive father. He, together with his wife, Nattie, saved Ella from committing suicide. The couple have been trying so hard to have a baby and got the idea of buying the baby from Ella.
• Glenda Garcia as Margie/Ellen - Cheska's biological mother. She's the lead "prostitute" in Heaven's Gate at her young age, but after she got pregnant all of her riches have disappeared. After giving up with life, she decided to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge while pregnant. Natty and her husband then saved her from killing herself. They took care for her, and eventually Ellen sold her baby to them.
• Andrea del Rosario as Janet - A woman who searched for her bestfriend in the town of Bagong Pag-asa. It was later revealed that her friend was Teresa Malimban, a woman connected to the lives of people of Bagong Pag-asa. She found out that her friend was dead more than 5 years ago and later decided to search for Teresa's son (who is Santino).

Chapter Ten: Values

A lone teacher suffers through pain after discovering that her whole life of teaching children will later be ended due to her age. She feels alone and sad as she remembers all of her students, sacrificed her whole life for them and eventually became their second mother, yet, none of them seems to remember her works for them.

• Susan Roces as Ms. Nieves Antazo - A teacher in Bagong Pag-Asa Elementary school, who is being forced to retire because of some budget issues. She begs for the school to stay because she doesn't care about the money, all she cares about is her student. She has spent her lifetime taking care of her students, which caused of her losing most of her loved ones in life.
• Roxanne Guinoo as young Ms. Nieves Antazo - as a young woman, Nieves has sacrificed her whole life for her students. Her life and lovelife has been destroyed due to her career.
• Toby Alejar as Ms. Nieves Antazo's father
• Mikan Ong as Butsoy - Ms. Antazo's ex-student/pupil in her class.
• Zeppi Borommeo as Chris - Ms. Antazo's ex-student/pupil in her class.
• Jacq Yu as Eliza - Ms. Antazo's ex-student/pupil in her class.
• Chinggoy Alonzo as Mr. Manolo Sandoval - The school's principal. He was the one who told Ms. Antazo that she needs to retire from her work in the school.

Chapter Eleven: Fame

Adela, a former pornography star is abusing her son out of her hate and anger towards him. Adela was lucky to be given a starring role in a movie which unfortunately ended due to her pregnancy for her son. Boy George, her son, suffers to a lot of assault his mother gives because of his below average IQ, which unfortunately isn't enough for him to even enter a good college.

• Rosanna Roces as Adela San Jose - Mario's half-sister and is a former pornography actress. After given a serious dramatic role for a movie, unfortunately she got pregnant causing her whole career to shut down.
• Ejay Falcon as Boy George- Adela's son, a battered teenager due to his mother's greed of him causing her whole career to be ruined. Also, he is Mario's nephew. Boy George returns Bagong Pag-asa to pay a visit. At the same time he met Abby and fell in love with her. Now, Boy George is having troubles on how to court Abby.he returns to Bagong Pag-Asa and later learns that Mario was sacked from the police force.
• Janna Dominguez as young Adela San Jose - as a young woman, Adela stars on dramatic pornographic movies.
• John James Uy

Chapter Twelve: Truth

Carla, the daughter of the Bagong Pag-Asa school principal, is born into a rich and well-educated family. She is the "good and obedient" daughter. She is obedient to her father. She does well in school receiving high grades and is on her way to a good career path or so it seems. Her sister, Judith, is the complete opposite. She is the rebellious daughter. However, due to an unfortunate turn of events, Carla gets pregnant causing her dad to turn the wheel and treat her as a disgrace to the family.

• Anne Curtis as Carla- a simple, good daughter who later discovered that she's pregnant.
• Wendy Valdez as Judith- a rebel daughter who seems to be very emotional. She's been sent to rehab after being caught taking drugs, which she says she only did once. This makes his father be ashamed of her.
• Evangeline Pascual as Myrna- mother of Carla and Juliet and wife to Manolo.

Returning Characters

• Chinggoy Alonzo as Mr. Manolo Sandoval - Carla's father. He likes Carla more than Judith. But then after finding out about Carla's pregnancy, he turned the wheels making Carla a disgrace.

Chapter Thirteen: Love

A woman and a man mysteriously appears in Bagong Pag-Asa and started searching for their son. Santino, as he knows that his real mother is probably alive have been mistakenly thought as the son of Miriam.

• Lorna Tolentino as Miriam - A woman who searches for her long-lost son named Ogie in Bagong Pag-asa who they believe was kidnapped by their family driver.
• Gardo Versoza as Gary - Miriam's husband. He always guides Miriam in all her searching for Ogie. However, he nearly loses hope that they will ever find Ogie again.

Chapter Fourteen: Inheritance

As Santino searches for his real mother, through the way of "lukso ng dugo" (a feeling), he meets a young woman named Abby, who helped him when he was lost. Santino thought that Abby is his mother as he felt a great connection between them, however Abby is too young to be his mother, which Abby herself implies. Abby is the granddaughter of the owner of the most know Tocino branch in the Philippines, "Tocino King". Her grandfather wants her to inherit the business; however, Abby doesn't feel a great perseverance to accept the offer.

• KC Concepcion as Abby Cruz - A young woman who will meet Santino. She is the granddaughter of the owner of a food company known as "Tocino King". Abby then studies in America; however, his grandfather wants her to inherit the company. Abby is coming in great crisis either to accept the offer or not. Toward the end of the chapter,she accepts the offer. It is also implied that Boy George has a crush on her.
• Charlie Davao as Don Carlos - Abby's grandfather, some businessmen wanted to buy his company, yet he doesn't want to because he is willing to inherit it to his granddaughter Abby. However, Abby at first doesn't want to accept it.

Returning Characters:

• Ejay Falcon as Boy George - Boy George returns Bagong Pag-asa to pay a visit. At the same time he met Abby and fell in love with her. Now, Boy George is having troubles on how to court Abby.

Chapter Fifteen: Return

As Miriam and Gary are leaving Bagong Pag-asa, they meet Janet while having problems with their car. Miriam and Janet share their stories about the people they have been looking for. Miriam instantly realizes that Janet's story fits with Santino's life story. Meanwhile, Malena and Selda's mother Doña Anita returns to Bagong Pag-asa, where she started to connect with the characters' life. The recollection with Selda due to their conflict about Selda marrying a policeman, Anita meeting her granddaughter and the never-ending punishment of harsh words to Malena's husband, Enrique.

• Ron Morales as Robert - Doña Anita's personal assistant who practically takes care of every files Doña Anita got.

Returning Characters:

• Lorna Tolentino as Miriam - Miriam and her husband continue their search for their son. They then meet Janet who brings a great miracle in Santino's life.
• Gardo Versoza as Gary - Miriam's husband who continues his search for his son. He, along with his wife, then meets Janet who brings a great miracle in Santino's life.
• Andrea del Rosario as Janet - A woman who searched for her bestfriend in the town of Bagong Pag-asa. It was later revealed that her friend was Teresa Malimban, a woman connected to the lives of people of Bagong Pag-asa. She found out that her friend was dead more than 5 years ago and later decided to search for Teresa's son (who is Santino).
• Liza Lorena as Doña Anita Rodriguez - Malena & Selda's mother. After living in the United States for several years, she returns to the Philippines to pay a visit to the family together with Stella and her personal assistant, Robert.

Chapter Sixteen: Hope

Santino and Paco are kidnapped by a gang who make little children beg in the streets. They also somehow sell children to couples who are unlikely to get pregnant. As Santino stays in the gang, he met Tatay Ben, a lonely old man whose the leader of the gang. In this whole new world of pain and suffering, Santino will derive to survive. Meanwhile, Father Paul was shot by one of Father Ben's allies and was taken in the hospital, where his family came to visit him. Santino then finally have returned home at the right time to heal Father Paul

• Johnny Delgado as Tatay Ben - the leader of the gang who kidnaps children to beg in the streets.
• Mark Bautista as Victorio - the father of Angelie (one of the kidnapped children). He soon reunites with his daughter after she escaped from Tatay Ben's household.
• Matet de Leon - as Kim -Father Paul's sister. She visited Father Paul as he was admitted in the hospital after being shot by one of Santino's kidnappers.
• Carl John Barrameda as Ryan - a kid who is a member of the gang who kidnaps children. He uses toys as baits to attract the kids. He admitted to Santino that his older brother was killed years before after drowning in the river. Afterwards, he went to Manila and met Tatay Ben. He told Santino that Tatay Ben is not a good person, and plans to escape along with Santino and the other children.
• Lloyd Zaragoza as Pedro - one of Tatay Ben's workers, he is actually a good guy as he helps the children when they are in trouble.He also has a crush on a public school teacher named Anna.
• Marvin Yap as Juan - one of Tatay Ben's workers.
• Archie Adamus as Andong - Tatay Ben's right hand man when his gang entering Bagong Pag-Asa and tries to kidnapped Santino and Paco. He was shot by the police after attempting to kidnap another pair of children.He told Father Paul's sister that if he will live,tell him that he is asking for forgiveness.
• Jacob Dionisio as Leopoldo/Leo - one of the children to beg in the streets, he has been having severe coughs lately.
• Philip Nolasco as Sid/Sidney - one of the kidnapped children and is a child genius.
• Tom Olivar - Manila Police Chief who helps Mario and Father Jose to find Santino and Paco who were kidnapped by Tatay Ben's armed men when Angelie was escaped from Tatay Ben and returns to her father, Victorio.

Chapter Seventeen: Justice

Pedro and Juan helps the kids escape from Tatay Ben's household. Tatay Ben then gets arrested and Santino told Angelie that he will return to Bagong Pag Asa when the former healed the latter's mother. Santino and Paco return to Bagong Pag Asa as classes were to resume and they have a Father's Day program. Meanwhile, Mario is sacked from the police force by his boss due to alleged insubordination and AWOL. Mario later chokes the police chief in the neck for insulting the former's dead father, also a former policeman. This results in a huge blow to Mario, whose daughter would have praised him in their Father's Day program. Santino will then urge Enrique to do something for Mario. People will hold rallies for Mario, whom they regard as a hero. Don Miguel dies despite Fr. John's bringing of Santino to heal him, and as Doña Anita prepares to reconcile with Selda, Stella's parentage is revealed.

Returning Characters

• Dante Rivero as Don Miguel Delgado - father of Father John. He initially refused Brother John's plan of being a priest, but with Santino's help, he attended his son's ordination. At this time he was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer. Though Father John wants Santino to save his life, he is ready to die.
• Nanding Josef as Manding - as the helper of Don Miguel who gave the news to Father John about his father's condition.
• Peewee O'hara - as Manding's wife.

Chapter Eighteen: Runaway

Mario is forced to leave his family alone due to the gossips and the shame of the revealed fact that Stella is his daughter. As the their family goes to crisis, Malena's whole family has persecuted her, from her mother to her husband. Selda is also suffering as she seeks for a sign from God, if she would ever need to forgive Mario for what he has done. Meanwhile, at the middle of the night a big surprise has startled the monastery as Brother Chi's sister seeks for help after being forced to marry a man she doesn't love. Selda forgives Mario and reconciles with her mom, while Alex' father tries to relocate his daughter's wedding in Bagong Pag-asa, despite opposition from the priests.

• Toni Gonzaga as Alex Wang - Brother Chi's sister who runs away during her wedding dress fitting and seek help from her brother.
• Ricardo Cepeda as Wilson Wang - Alex and Father Chi's rich father. He is a Chinese businessman who forces his daughter to get married just to save their family business
• Mico Palanca as Bong - Alex's ex-boyfriend whom she broke up with after her father have made him leave her.
• Chesca Inigo as Raquel Wang - Alex and Father Chi's mother.
• Kontin Roque as Philip Chua - the man who Alex's father is being forced to her to get married with.
• Michael Conan - a new Police officer assigned his mission to Bagong Pag Asa

Chapter Nineteen: Past

Meanwhile, Santino meets a street vagrant after being bullied by children. Santino with his angels, helped the poor woman and took her to Selda's house, where Selda has cleaned her up. However, the vagrant is unable to speak due to trauma or whatever has happened to her in the past. Santino takes the vagrant for a stroll in the cemetery where he introduced her to the priests and to "Bro". Santino healed the woman and later finally remembers her name, Ina. Ina after a long time time in trauma, somehow, couldn't remember anything from her past except for her name. She then dreams about a guy named Andrew, whom she believes is her best friend.

• Maricar Reyes - as Ate Ina - a "taong grasa" or a street vagrant whom Santino helped after being bullied by the public people.
• Jason Abalos- as Andrew - Ina's bestfriend since highschool whom took care of her after her parents have died. He's an aspiring pilot, which signifies the "airplane toy" that Ina always brings with her. He died after trying to protect Ina from a group of bad guys.

Chapter Twenty: Revenge

Doña Anita is having difficulties about the case she's being involved with. Because of the matter becoming serious, she swallows her pride and asked Enrique for help. Meanwhile, Doña Anita is accused and imprisoned for murders that happened when her men were evicting people from her land; however, Enrique refuses to help her but instead seeks revenge for the past sins his mother-in-law did to him. Anita suffers a heart attack and is hospitalized. It was later revealed that the couple that was murdered in Sitio Hulo was the parents of Enrique. It's also revealed that Enrique was the one behind the recent accusations to Doña Anita because he wants revenge.

• Jairus Aquino - as Young Enrique/ Gonzalvo Policarpio - as a young kid, Enrique lost both of his parents after Doña Anita's men accidentally killed them.
• Bert Martinez as Father - Albert Martinez's father made an appearance on the show
• Liza Lorena as Doña Anita Rodriguez - Doña Anita was captured and imprisoned after being accused for the murder that happened to Bagong Pag-asa 30 years ago.
• Ron Morales as Robert/Martin Policarpio - He has worked for Doña Anita since she was in the States, he also now takes care of Doña Anita's case. It is later revealed that he is the younger brother of Enrique or Gonsalvo Policarpio.

Chapter Twenty One: Sacrifice

Father Patrick receives a letter regarding his younger brother Jepoy. He finds out that Jepoy have given up his studies to work as a fisherman to earn money for the family. Hence, Father Patrick quickly asks for Father Anthony's permission to leave and go back home. Santino with Father Jose and Father Paul joined Father Patrick in his way back to their province which turned out to be a seaside. As they arrive they saw Jepoy about to leave with one of the fishermen in the middle of the night. After learning that the person Jepoy is working with uses dynamite when fishing, Father Patrick stops him as he think this is way too dangerous for a child to handle. Jepoy gets mad at Father Patrick and later starts to explain to him why he needs to earn money.

• Makisig Morales as Jepoy - Father Patrick's younger brother who, unknown from Father Patrick, had given up his studies to start working. He has completely abandoned his childhood unlike other children who always plays, he spends his time working as a fisherman to earn money.
• Jeffrey Santos - as Anton - one of the fishermen who Jepoy works with. Father Patrick learns that he uses dynamite when fishing - which is illegal.

Chapter Twenty Two: Rivalry

A surprise visit shocks Baby after her sister, Delilah, drops by for a visit. Apparently, she didn't just comeby for a visit, she came of help with her problem, money-wise. Unfortunately, Delilah has lost most of her money, and went for Baby in need of help. It turns out that Baby hates her so much, because their father had always liked Delilah over her. As she stays in Baby's place, she didn't feel very much welcomed by her sister. She was very nice and very joyful when meeting people including Santino. Baby got jealous and started a rumour that she is a witch, which the public easily believed after an unknown illness has struck the people. She was boycotted by the townspeople where she was forced to run to the monastery to seek help.

• Ai-Ai Delas Alas as Delilah - Baby's half-sister. Between the siblings, she is the most favorite one of their parents. She used to be rich, but because of some problems, she unfortunately lost all her money. She pays a visit to Baby to find some comfort, who is unfortunately isn't enthusiazed to see her. She was then mistaken by the townspeople as a witch after Baby have started the rumor that she is one.

Chapter Twenty Three: Epidemic

Since the hospital is starting to overflow with patients infected with the West Nile Virus, the doctor facilitating the health center decides to close their doors to other incoming patients. Unfortunately, the said event further enrages everybody in town, thus causing Mayor Enrique to take immediate action. In order to cure everybody in town, Enrique finally seeks the help of a doctor with expertise on infectious diseases, Dr. Marcelito Azarcon. It turns out that Dr. Marcelito is a previous resident of bagong Pag-Asa where he met his first love Patricia, however, chose his career path over her. As he returns tp agon Pag-Asa, he met Santino in the church where they a little talk. Lito told Santino that he doesn't believe in God, he thinks that its only one way to let other people feel calm during problem and science is always the one finding that solution. As he help stop the disease, he discovered that Patricia has Leukemia after being badly infected by the West Nile Virus. Lito seeks help to Santino to heal Patricia, which Santino granted.

• Christopher de Leon as Dr. Marcelito "Lito" Azarcon - a doctor who have helped Bagong Pag-asa after a mild illness has struck in the midst of the people. He doesn't have faith to God because he believes that only science and the people's freewill can make their wanted things to happen. It was also later revealed that he had a relationship with Nurse Patricia but broke up because he chose his career over her.
• Ana Capri as Patricia - a nurse in the hospital in Bagong Pag-asa. It was later revealed that she had a relationship with Dr. Azarcon, but apparently broke up because Marcelito chose his job over her. It was also revealed that she has leukemia.
• John Wayne Sace as Arnel - a guy who was trapped in Bagong Pag-asa during the epidemic. He was suppose to come to his mother's funeral.
• Joseph Bitangcol as Bryan - Pam's boyfriend, who is trying to get into Bagong Pag-asa to tend to his pregnant girlfriend, he is currently with Cocoy. Before he couldn't handle the fact that he was going to be a father and ran away. Now he's ready and is trying to get to Pam.
• Dianne Medina as Pam - Bryan's pregnant girlfriend, who is trapped in Bagong Pag-asa and stayed in the monastery. Pam dreams of getting married at the church in Bagong Pag-asa because her parents got married there
• Benjie Felipe - a man that Malena paid to destroy Mayor from the public.

Chapter Twenty Four: Pestilence

After surpassing the town epidemic, it seems that Bagong Pag-asa is about to face another dilemma. To everybody’s surprise, a threatening swarm of locusts suddenly attacks the whole town giving problems to the farmers, an alarming number of cockroaches destroying the town's livestock and a group of wild animals such as rats and snakes scaring the townspeople. It was later discovered that whats causing the animals to move and wonder about is the activities being done by an active volcano nearby, which apparently disturbs them. However, the townspeople doesn't seem to believe this and through Malena's plans, they rather believe that Mayor Enrique is a pest in town spreading bad luck around the people.

Meanwhile, Santino is helped by a Taho vendor named Moy. Santino learns more about his new friend Moy through the latter’s daughter Grace. The little girl reveals that her father currently has 4 jobs in order to get them though each and everyday. Aside from that, she also shares to Santino that her mother had left them before due to her father’s lack of wealth. To Grace’s surprise, her mother unexpectedly returns. Upon his wife’s sudden comeback, Moy is in fact glad; but he just couldn’t help but fear the thought that she might take their child away from him sooner or later.

• Vhong Navarro as Moy - A taho vendor who was struck in the midst of the locust invasion. Since his wife left him, he ended up as a single father who does everything just to take care of his only child, Grace. They have a dog named Rocky.
• Mylene Dizon as Jackie - Moy's wife. She went abroad to find work without even saying goodbye to Moy. Now she came back richer than before and tries to take Grace away from Moy.
• Erin Panlilio as Grace - Moy & Jackie's daughter. Grace didn't want to live with her mom because she knows for the fact that Jackie have abandoned them due to lack of money. As part of her wishes, she only wants to be with her father, her grampa Pilo and their dog, Rocky.
• Rocky - a German Shepherd dog owned by Moy and Grace. He has been with the family for quite a long time and have apparently been a special part of them.

Chapter Twenty Five: Home

Moy is disappointed upon granting the 5 wishes of his daughter Grace. Specially the first one in which she wishes that both of them will always be together for Moy has finally decided to give Grace to Jackie; thinking that the latter could take better care of their child. Another one of the of Grace's wishes is to be with his Grandfather Pilo who is in the home for the aged. Pilo was left by his son in the center due to lack of money. After being given to Jackie, Grace thought that she was just kidnapped by her mother without her father knowing, so she ran away back to the monastery to comeback for Moy. Moy then later explained to Grace everything which she couldn't really understand. After being returned to Jackie again, Grace runs away for the second time, but this time she went to her grandfather in Manila. Riding on a banana delivery truck, Grace invites Santino to join her. Santino, in worries for Grace came along. The whole monastery and Grace's parent have panicked due to the children's disappearance. After looking for them, they figured out that the two maybe in Manila with Pilo. They went to the home for the aged and asked Pilo, but denies that Grace and Santino are with him. It was later revealed that they actually are, and Pilo was just hiding them in his room. Pilo worries about Grace being taken away, so he ran away from the Home and took the kids in an old house to hide. However, a tricycle driver mistook Pilo as a pedophile and reported him to the police, where Jackie figured out that the girl being reported is Grace. In the middle of the night, the three were surrounded by the police. Although being surrounded, no one knew that the guy being mistaken as a criminal was Pilo. It was later revealed that it was actually Pilo when Moy and the others arrive at the old house. Pilo refuses to give Grace up to the police even though three snipers have been targeted on him. Jackie decided that she wouldn't take Grace anymore, as long as Pilo would give her up. Pilo gave up the children and although Jackie promised, she still tried to take Grace away, but after a talk to Santino, she decided to leave Grace with Moy, however, to give her a better life, she would help pay for Grace's needs. The family then rejoices as they're finally back together again.

• Dolphy as Pilo - Moy's father whom he never have spoken to in ages. He's in a home for the aged.
• Lou Veloso as Paeng - one of the old people in the home for the aged. He helped Pilo to run away from the home.
• Ramil Rodriguez as Pedring - one of the old people in the home for the aged. He offered his old house as a hiding place for Pilo and the children.
• Nina Dolino - Paeng's granddaughter.
• Martin del Rosario - Pedring's grandson.

Chapter Twenty Six: Care

Santino and the priests in the monastery meet a girl named Sara, who is then accompanying a special child named Val. The young lady introduces the child as her very own son. According to her, she and the boy escaped from his spiteful husband with completely nothing at hand. The very next day, Santino and his friends drop by their household in order to befriend them. To Sara’s surprise, Val seems to be completely receptive of Santino’s intention to extend a friendly hand. Meanwhile, the town is planning to have a celebration from all the pestilence that have happened. A surprising event happened on a rehearsal, where Val shows a talent of playing the piano. Upon seeing the child's skills, he was considered as a gifted child by the townspeople where everybody had talks about him. As Val's fame rises, his father have discovered where Sara and the child is hiding. The father surprises everyone on one of the practice session of the celebration where he revealed that Sara isn't the child's real mother. She was only a caregiver who took the kid and tells everyone that he's her own son. On Sara's side, she explain that the kid in not being given good care by his father, he was always being scold for and sometimes being hid from the public by imprisoning him in a room. The father, Carlo, explains that he hates Val because when his wife was giving to him, an unexpected problem happened which caused her death. Carlo later slowly realizes that it is his own fault why the child was driven away from him. As he hears his son play, he remembers his wife who is also a pianist, and through his son's music, he realizes that Val is a remembrance from his wife. After the celebration he promised that he will never be ashamed about his son again and will be proud of him no matter what. He also dropped that charges for Sara.

• Bea Alonzo as Sara - A woman who was taking care of Val, a special child. She presumes that she was Val's mother and she's trying to hide from their husband because she is being abused. It was later revealed that she wasn't really the kid's mother. She was only a caregiver who kidnapped the kid because his parents weren't really taking care him. She loves Val too much because she also had an autistic older sister who died after being hit by a jeep.
• Nash Aguas as Joey/Val - The child who was with Sara, which everyone assumed as his mother. He's autistic which makes it very hard for him to communicate with other people, especially kids his own age. On a church celebration, he was revealed to be a gifted child on playing the piano. His mother died after giving birth to him.
• Vice Ganda as Maxie - Sara's gay bestfriend. He's a Vilmanian and a very joyful person. He went with Sara to help them hide from her husband.
• Ryan Eigenmann as Carlo - Joey/Val's father. He went in Bagong Pag-asa upon knowing that this is where the caregiver he hired took his kid. He hates Val because his wife died after giving birth to him.

Chapter Twenty Seven: Lost

Malena identifies Tilde to be Enrique’s secret girlfriend. Upon realizing this, Malena relentlessly drags the young lady out of the monastery to confront her regarding the matter. Tilde fails to deny the allegation, thus causing Malena to make a big scene in front of everybody. The said revelation further heightens up her hatred against her husband; and on her personal enumeration of all the troubles Enrique caused her, truth has been told that Enrique is in fact Santino’s real father. Meanwhile, fed up with his parents’ constant warring, Rico suddenly decides to runaway. Upon learning this, Santino together with three of his other friends decide to chase him and convince him to come back home. Enrique, the priests and the children's families mistakenly believe the kids were kidnapped. The children then succeed on convincing the boy but they faced trouble on their way back to their town. Aside from being lost in the middle of nowhere without food and water, Rico encounters a rather unfortunate situation. He ends up being caught in quicksand. On Santino’s way to help the poor boy out, he too falls in the trap. Their other friends rescued them, but they haven't returned yet to Bagong Pag-asa. It is also revealed that the place they are in is the hideout of insurgents and criminals. The kids then seek help from someone living in the forests, but it turns out that he is a member of the gang, "Batang Iwahid" (Iwahid Kid). Batang Iwahid is a group of young teenager boys based in the town of San Isidro who either rob people, kidnap them for ransom. However, they never kill citizens, they are only getting blamed for what the other gangs do. They shoot Enrique while he and the policemen were finding Santino and the other kids; Enrique survives as Santino prays over him while he was under the kidnappers, and the search for the children goes on. Some of the other children were able to be rescued, but Santino was still being held captive. It seems that the rebel group’s leader, Froilan, has a special income generating plan for the child. Upon learning this, Enrique hassles the authorities’ search and rescue operation, in order to save their town’s hailed child, and promote his political agenda as well. On the other hand, Malena runs out of town with her son Rico to get Enrique, and her growing love for him, out of her mind once and for all, which immediately infuriates the latter. Though against his will, Santino is left with no other choice but to lay his miraculous hands over poor sick people in exchange of goods; just as Froilan commanded. Brought about by his continuous display of miracle, Santino suddenly drops unconscious. Growing concerned of the child’s welfare, one concerned citizen volunteers to encourage all the men in town to fight the rebels. In order to save Santino, they decide on plotting a plan against Froilan and his group. On the other hand, Randy gets off the hook after Santino’s friends testified to his innocence; and in order to prove his loyalty, Randy leads the authorities down to the rebels’ possible whereabouts.

• Bing Pementel as Lilia - mother of Helen whom Santino healed first in the town where the gang have brought to make money over his abilities.
• Ronnie Lazaro as Artemio - a man in which the gang seems to know. He's a resident in the place where the gang have brought Santino. He has a plan to save Santino from the gang.
• Renzo Cruz as Froilan - leader of another gang together with the Batang Iwahid. He's the brother of the leader of Batang Iwahid.
• Igiboy Flores as Randy - a member of the Batang Iwahid gang.
• EJ Jallorina - the leader of the Batang Iwahid gang.
• Raymond Lim as Kulas - a man who Santino healed after being bitten by a snake.

Returning Characters

• Chin-Chin Gutierrez as Teresa Malimban - Malena remembers the day she met Teresa Malimban.
• Kaye Abad as Minerva - After the children's disappearance, Minerva came searching for her son, Alfred.
• Eva Darren as Lola Belen - Noticing that Paco is lost, his grandmother came searching for her grandson.
• Benjie Felipe - a man that Malena paid to destroy Mayor from the public, he mainly do this by telling the townspeople that Mayor is the cause of all the bad things happening in Bagong Pag-asa.

Reception

Ratings

In terms of nationwide ratings released by TNS, May Bukas Pa reached 49.5%, surpassing its pilot rating. The show's highest rating so far was 56.8% on August 3, 2009.. Meanwhile, it has so far peaked at 47.3% in Mega Manila according to AGB Nielsen Philippines.

Due to the show's ratings, ABS-CBN's management has decided to extend it for 20 weeks instead of the initial eight weeks. On June 23, 2009, ABS-CBN television head Cory Vidanes announced on May Bukas Pa's recent thanksgiving party that the show will be extended until January of next year (2010).

Reviews

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."

Special re-run

As a lenten offering to its viewers and ABS-CBN's Holy Week presentation, May Bukas Pa had its encore telecast on Maundy Thursday (April 9, 2009) and Good Friday (April 10, 2009) at 7-10 pm, and on Black Saturday (April 11, 2009) at 6-10 pm.

The 3-part marathon special garnered high ratings nationwide from TNS Media Research.

Extension till January 2010

Supposedly, the show will air until the end of June or first week of July after its initial 20 weeks extension last February. However, due to its ratings success, after the Thanksgiving Mass attended by some of the bosses of ABS-CBN and all artist and crew of the show last Monday, Cory Vidanes (station's television head) announced that the airing of the show will be extended until January next year.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN

External links

• May Bukas Pa May Bukas Pa Drama
• May Bukas Pa ABS-CBN