Nandito Ako Episode 1

This miniseries has been making noise even before it started airing because of David Archuleta. Yes, David Archie topbills this drama. The first time I heard about it, I was like,"What?! David Archie in a soap opera? This can't be serious." I read the whole article and yes it's true, he's indeed topbilling the drama. I am guessing they casted him to get international attention.

Episode 1 Recap




The opening starts with Josh Bradley (David Archie) in his concert, talking to the audience saying, "Love is just one word and yet it means everything in this world.We find it everywhere.The true love that's the hardest to find...So when you find your true love, hold on to it and never let go 'coz that's what I would do."



Then they bring us back to 1996 in Olongapo when Josh was just 6 years old. And we are introduced to another kid named Anya (Jasmine Curtis). Josh and Anya are both Amerasians, born to American father and Filipino mother. They both grew up without father. Josh's dad died when he was younger while Anya was abandoned by his father. Cara (Josh's mum) works as singer in a bar while Teresa (Anya's) is a GRO in a club.



Surprisingly, Anya's dad came back. He says he wants to fulfill his promise and he's taking them to the US. He asks them to pack their things and go with him in his hotel.


Anya tosses a coin in a fountain in front of the hotel as she makes a wish. Josh is enjoying his halo halo while waiting for his mum. They are actually in the same hotel. It is where his mum performs and where her father is staying.



Anya and her dad are inside their room when a fire breaks out. Everyone is panicking. Cara is looking for Josh but she can't find him. Anya and her dad tries to escape from the fire but a falling debris hits her dad.

Anya is crying beside her dad. Josh runs to her. He helps her to wake her dad up but he doesn't respond. The fire gets bigger. Josh tells Anya they should leave but she refuses to. Josh takes her even though she resists. He tells Anya to be strong and they should think of a way to get out from the building.

They found an exit that brings them to the terrace. Josh tries to go down from there. Josh slips and almost fell down. Anya manages to catch his hand and hold him. They try to hold on with all might, but Anya accidentally lets go of his hand when his wrist watch breaks. Thank God a firefighter to the rescue catches him. Another firefighter rescues Anya in the terrace. Both kids are  now safe.

Steve, Josh's uncle, heard  about the fire so he goes to the hotel. He takes Josh with him even Josh is begging him to find his mum first.

Days later, Teresa is talking to Anya. "Remember I used to tell you that there's happy ending?  That's not true. There's no happy ending. Don't believe that."

Meanwhile, Steve  is trying to convince Josh that his mum is dead so he should go with him. They are now leaving to the States.

Back to the present. Their parents' death anniversary is approaching. Anya looks at her dad's picture. Josh holds the strap of his broken wrist watch. His mum gave that watch the day he lost her.

Comments:

The  first episode was okay.  The  two kids who portrayed the characters of Anya and Josh were good. This is supposed to be a light drama but G. Toengi  (Cara) and Gelli de Belen (Teresa) did a kinda superb acting. I thought I was watching a soap opera in the 90s. They  remind me of the Mexican  inspired dramas where scenes  and acting were heavy. I think they overdid it.

Come on, with the synopsis and teasers, we all  know that this is just a light story. It's about an international singer who falls in love with an ordinary girl, who happens to be the girl he met when he was young. The scene when Steve was trying to get Josh from Cara, when she was screaming? And  the scene in which Teresa was crying and scolding Anya's father? I didn't know if I'd laugh at them or be impressed by them. I know they are awarded actresses but they should know when they are overdoing it.

Overall, episode 1 was presented well. The writing is so far— average. We will see if I'll get impressed by the next episodes. Mac Alejandre is a good director. I've seen one of his films. With his directing, I hope the rest of  the episodes will be good.