By Nestor Cuartero
JUST A THOUGHT: “Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they have never failed to imitate them.” – JamesBaldwin
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TV SHOW IS JUMPING BOARD: When they were new and inexperienced, not yet the big stars that they were to become years later, the likes of Marian Rivera, Tom Rodriguez, Dingdong Dantes, and Dennis Trillo trained as lead stars on the TV show, “Maynila.”
It was there where they first landed lead roles on TV. Their appearances on “Maynila” eventually caught the eye of network executives, who then thought of assigning them bigger roles, and stardom.
“Maynila,” the morning drama anthology hosted by Rep. Lito Atienza is now on its 19th year…and still going strong.
The former Manila mayor believes viewers warm up to the series because of the lesson and inspiration they derive from the show, aired on GMA every Saturday.
Maynila premiered on GMA on Nov. 23, 1998. It has witnessed the various changes in its host’s life in government.
Mayor of Manila to secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to incumbent congressman, representing the Party List Buhay.
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LESSONS LEARNED: Rep. Atienza, also known these days as the father of Kim Atienza, says he is proud of touching the lives of viewers, not just Manileños.
Each episode of “Maynila” offers pieces of advice on love and life, family relationships.
One of “Maynila’s” controversial episodes (and toprater) is a May-December romance topbilled by Ynez Veneracion and Martin del Rosario.
Maynila is a blocktimer on GMA, produced by Atienza’s daughter, Angela Lei.
Angela said that in previous episodes of “Maynila,” they succeeded in guesting stars from ABS-CBN, including Coco Martin, IzaCalzado, Enrique Gil, Angel Locsin, Erich Gonzalez.
GMA stars, however, form the staple of “Maynila.”
“Maynila” airs at 9:40 a.m. on Saturday. It is directed by Phil Noble, with Abet Pagdagdagan Raz as headwriter.