On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the second part of Maalaala Mo Kaya’s (MMK) Mothers’ Day special, retelling the tragic Maguad family story, captivated audiences with a staggering 260,000 peak concurrent viewers on YouTube and Facebook, marking the highest viewership for any local TV show online that day.
The episode, aired on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, and A2Z, outperformed its rival, GMA’s Magpakailanman, which drew 25,000 concurrent viewers, surpassing it by more than tenfold.
The two-part special, which began streaming on iWantTFC on May 8, dramatized the heartbreaking 2021 Maguad siblings’ killings in North Cotabato. Starring Dimples Romana as Lovella Maguad, Joem Bascon as Cruz Maguad, Criza Taa as Gwynn, Miguel Vergara as Boyboy, and Karina Bautista as foster daughter Jasmine, the episode delved into the family’s trust, betrayal, and pursuit of justice. The gripping conclusion, available with an exclusive director’s cut on iWantTFC since May 21, portrayed the devastating aftermath of the tragedy, resonating deeply with viewers.
Netizens flooded social media with praise for the cast’s stellar performances and MMK’s powerful storytelling. Posts on X lauded the emotional depth, with one user describing the episode as “makatindig-balahibo”(hair-raising) and commending the actors for embodying the family’s pain.
Karina Bautista’s chilling portrayal of Jasmine earned particular acclaim, with viewers calling it “goosebumps-worthy” and a career-defining role. Dimples Romana and Joem Bascon were also hailed for their heartrending performances, with one post noting a scene so vivid it felt like “Ms. D was at the crime scene.”
MMK’s return as a limited series on April 24, 2025, has solidified its place as the Philippines’ longest-running drama anthology, with this episode reinforcing its ability to captivate and move audiences through real-life stories.
