The fluctuating light bulb in front of the Fontanilla’s new residence, screams the imminence of a tragedy that is set to tear the family apart. It is a symbolic tool that is persistently used through the new primetime series’ first three episodes to signify an oncoming disaster.
That and a few suggestively ominous clues in “You’re My Home”, shrouds the family drama in mystery, suspicious enough to deliver a gripping suspense that will keep its audience looking forward for the coming episodes.
The series delves into the lives of the members of the Fontanilla family, taking into its core the struggles of the parents, Gabriel (Richard Gomez) and Marian (Dawn Zulueta), in keeping the foundations of their family and home, in tact and strong.
At first, what we see is an ideal family bonded by love and dreams. Gabriel is a hard working father, who aspires to provide the best things for his family—this includes a new house in an exclusive village, and a better school for his children. Marian, for her part, provides the support that every member of her family, needs, one of which is understanding the very nature of Gabriel’s work. Gabriel is a human rights lawyer known as a champion of the oppressed. His very aspirations to better his family, places him under a tight situation where he has to reconsider his priorities. As a family man who wishes nothing but the best for his wife and children, there is no question that he would choose them.
But this also means he has to drop the ideals he has long been standing for. Controversial high profile cases begin taking his time for his family from him, and consequently, Marian begins questioning whether moving into their new place was the right decision. But the toll is way heavier for the kids who are still struggling to adapt to the new environment.
Most notably, Grace (Belle Mariano), gets bullied at school, and she feels her parents aren’t by her side to protect her, or even believe her when she reasons out why she has to finally fight back at her persistent bullying-classmate. At these moments, the struggles of the children are becoming the bigger concern, and it can not be denied that their parents’ becoming often quarrels are what making their frustrations even worse.
But the biggest blow to Gabriel’s family only arrives at the disappearance of his youngest child, Vince (Raikko Matteo)—a tragedy that comes in the wake of his pursuit of politics. He has only one person in mind about whoever abducted his child: Christian Vergara (JC de Vera), son of Senator Victor Vergara (Tonton Gutierrez). Christian was a former client whom Gabriel defended against charges of domestic abuse and maltreatment, but lost.
These events have massive effects on Gabriel’s family, and it is more evident on his wife, Marian, who begins realizing she has married an ambitious man who is easily inclined toward wealth and power.
The confrontations are such a gripping sight to behold, that it pierces to the heart as painful lines about who is to blame come out to fill the anguish-filled moments between Marian and Gabriel.
Dawn Zulueta is as ageless stunner here, as she is a powerful actress. She evokes the right amount emotions of a tormented mother whose family is put on a very difficult situation. Richard Gomez is as credible as his role requires him to be, managing to remain faithful to his responsibility of his family, while also showing his ambitious side. He remains authentic in his portrayal as the father who will do anything just to keep his family from harm.
In one of his most memorable scenes, he is seen begging Mr. Reyes, his neighbor who he suspects to have witnessed his son’s abduction, to tell him what he knows. That shows, that even with all those ambitions, he is still a fragile father who breaks apart when confronting family catastrophes of such scale.
Even more note-worthy, Zulueta and Gomez’s already strong performances, are complemented by equally credible supports. Most notable, though, is JC de Vera, who has successfully veiled his character in mystery and intrigue, managing to possess the right character and demeanor of someone who seems to hide dark secrets .
The conflict between Fontanillas and Vergara, is palpably imminent, being strongly fueled by Gabriel’s suspicions that it was indeed Christian, who took his son. This ensues a bitter exchanges of threats and accusations, and warrants a riveting pursuit of the truth.
“You’re My Home” is as explosive as it needs to be, and it is not so hard to hope for more groundbreaking suspense to come, judging its current pace. (JE)
