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Magkaribal
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| Magkaribal | |
|---|---|
Title card | |
| Genre | |
| Created by |
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| Written by |
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| Directed by |
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| Starring | |
| Opening theme | "Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal" by Juris Fernandez |
| Ending theme | "Kapag Ako Ay Nagmahal" by Jolina Magdangal |
| Composer | Larry Hermoso |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language | Filipino |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 94 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Editors |
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| Production company | Star Creatives |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABS-CBN |
| Release | June 28 – November 5, 2010 |
| Related | |
| Triunfo del amor Pusong Ligaw FlordeLiza | |
Magkaribal (International title: Rivals) is a 2010 Philippine drama television series starring Bea Alonzo and Gretchen Barretto. The series ran on ABS-CBN from June 28 to November 5, 2010, replacing Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010 and was replaced by Perfect Match. [1]
Premise
[edit]Two sisters, Anna and Angela Abella, are separated due to a tragedy caused by their long family back story.
Anna trains herself to be a perfect Filipina model and fashion designer under her new name Victoria Valera. Meanwhile, Angela is adopted by the Agustins and is renamed Angela “Gelai” Agustin. Both of them end up having the same ambition in fashion as they did in their childhood together. So they cross paths in the fashion industry unaware that they are sisters and greedily end up as rivals; not just in their careers, but also in love.
Vera Cruz is a famous model and fashion designer, and is also the woman in the past who caused the Abella family's destruction. Now she is ready to keep the two women fighting, and aims to destroy Victoria's image with Gelai to avoid their closure. Vera is determined to stop the Abella sisters from uniting against her to dethrone her. But what if the two eventually find out the truth? Can they heal the wounds of their rivalry?
Cast and characters
[edit]
Main cast
[edit]- Bea Alonzo as Angela "Gelai" Agustin / Angela Abella
- Gretchen Barretto as Victoria Valera / Anna Abella
- Angel Aquino as Vera Cruz-Abella
- Derek Ramsay as Louie Villamor
- Erich Gonzales as Chloe C. Abella
- Enchong Dee as Caloy Javier
Supporting cast
[edit]- Robert Arevalo as Ronaldo Valera
- Mark Gil as Manuel Abella
- John Arcilla as Hermes Agustin
- Arlene Muhlach as Sonia Agustin
- Lyka Ugarte as Betsy
- Bianca Manalo as Gigi Fernando
- Nina Ricci Alagao as Donna
- Beatriz Saw as Kate Delovieres
- Toffee Calma as Jean Paul
- R.S. Francisco as Gian Franco
- Artemio Abad as Johnny
- Rodjun Cruz as Calvin
- Marc Abaya as Neil Olaguer
- Lorenzo Mara as Salvador
- RJ Ledesma as Christian Ocampo
- Edward Mendez as Marc Laurel
- Christian Vasquez as Paul
- Irma Adlawan as Carolina
Special participation
[edit]- Kathryn Bernardo as young Anna/Victoria
- Barbie Sabino as young Angela/Gelai
- Nash Aguas as young Louie/Doz
- Dimples Romana as Stella Abella
- James Blanco as young Manuel
- Alessandra de Rossi as young Vera
- Allan Paule as young Ronaldo
Episodes
[edit]Production
[edit]The show is set the fashion world and includes costuming and cameo appearances by local designers.[2] According to several executives behind the show's production, the series was originally planned to stage the comeback of actress Donna Cruz. During the course of pre-production, Cruz was to play Angela Abella/Gelai Agustin, and Angel Aquino was initially considered to portray the role of Anna Abella/Victoria Valera. Christopher de Leon was also tapped to play the role of Manuel, and Cherie Gil was shortlisted as Vera Cruz. The series also included Derek Ramsay as Louie, Enchong Dee as Caloy, and Erich Gonzales as Chloe. After Cruz backed out due to her commitments in Cebu where she permanently resides, ABS-CBN tapped real-life sisters Gretchen Barretto and Claudine Barretto for the roles of Anna/Victoria and Angela/Gelai respectively.[3] After the latter's transfer to GMA Network along with actors de Leon and Gil, the production was again delayed. It was only until Bea Alonzo's casting as Angela Abella/Gelai Agustin that the series continued to develop, with Barretto retaining the role as Anna/Victoria, and Aquino this time playing the role of Vera. Mark Gil took the role of Manuel in the final casting of characters. A young Kathryn Bernardo would be cast in the role of a young Anna/Vera, which she did she simultaneously with GMA Network series Endless Love wherein she played the role of young Jenny.[4] Following her performance in Magkaribal, she went on to be cast as Mara in the Mara Clara remake.[4]
Reruns
[edit]It aired reruns on Jeepney TV from January 6 to April 17, 2014; from April 6 to May 21, 2015; from September 4 to October 13, 2017; from April 21 to August 4, 2019; from December 26, 2022 to March 3, 2023; from October 28 to December 27, 2024 (also aired on ALLTV) and from February 7 to July 18, 2026.
Reception
[edit]Magkaribal received heavy promotion as competition for GMA Network's Endless Love, whose pilot aired at the same time (even though Magkaribal aired a little later than Endless Love).[5] The show premiered on June 28, 2010, with a 25.3% national household rating against its direct competition, Diva on GMA Network with a 19.4% national household rating (Endless Love scored a pilot rating of 22.9%, which aired earlier than Magkaribal).[6] Magkaribal posted a 30.0% national household rating on its finale against its rival show (direct competition in the timeslot), Beauty Queen, which only managed to score a 14.4% national household rating.[7]
Awards and recognitions
[edit]| Year | Award-giving body | Award | Recipient | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | New York Festivals TV & Film Awards | Best Telenovela | Magkaribal | Nominated |
| 9th Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Best Drama Series | Won | ||
| Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series | Gretchen Barretto | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Drama Series | Derek Ramsay | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Original Drama Series | Magkaribal | Nominated | ||
| 25th Star Awards for TV | Best Primetime TV Series | Nominated | ||
| Best Drama Actress | Gretchen Barretto | Won | ||
| Angel Aquino | Nominated | |||
| Bea Alonzo | Nominated | |||
| Best Drama Actor | Derek Ramsay | Nominated |
International broadcast
[edit]As with many ABS-CBN teleseryes, Magkaribal aired in Kenya dubbed in English under the title Rivals. It was broadcast on NTV during the prime 6pm - 7pm timeslot in 2011.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz | Television | ABS-CBN stars have fun in the rain for new station ID". Archived from the original on August 10, 2010. Retrieved June 24, 2010.
- ^ Battle for prime-time supremacy heating up Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Business World Online. June 28, 2010
- ^ "Gretchen, Claudine to unite in new ABS-CBN teleserye". ABS-CBN News. July 18, 2009. Archived from the original on July 21, 2009. Retrieved October 20, 2019.
- ^ a b Anarcon, James Patrick (May 15, 2020). "Remember when Kathryn Bernardo played young Marian Rivera in a GMA-7 series?". PEP. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
- ^ Battle for prime-time supremacy heating up Archived September 23, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Business World Online. June 28, 2010
- ^ http://www.pep.ph/news/26039/Kantar-Media/TNS-National-Household-Ratings-%28June-25-28%29:-Magkaribal-and--Endless-Love-open-modestly [dead link]
- ^ Santiago, Erwin. "Kantar Media-TNS National Household Ratings (Nov. 5-8): TV Patrol beats 24 Oras and Willing Willie". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 7, 2012.
External links
[edit]Magkaribal
View on GrokipediaSeries overview
Premise
Magkaribal centers on the lives of two biological sisters, Angela Abella, known as Gelai Agustin, and Anna Abella, who later becomes Victoria Valera, who are separated as children following their mother's accidental death caused by their father's mistress.[4][3] The sisters, portrayed by Bea Alonzo as Angela and Gretchen Barretto as Anna, grow up unaware of their blood connection, each forging paths in the cutthroat Philippine fashion industry—Angela as a talented junior designer and Anna as a renowned supermodel.[3] Their reunion unfolds as unwitting rivals, competing fiercely in the world of high fashion design and garment production, where ambition and creativity drive success.[4] The central conflict intensifies through the manipulations of Vera Cruz, a powerful fashion mogul and the sisters' father's former paramour, who harbors a deep-seated grudge against the Valera family and schemes to reclaim her dominance in the industry.[3] Vera's calculated interference escalates the sisters' professional and personal rivalry, drawing them into a web of deceit that threatens their dreams and uncovers long-buried family secrets.[3] Amid this turmoil, romantic entanglements further complicate their paths, as both sisters find themselves drawn to the same man, Louie Villamor, a charismatic figure tied to the fashion world, while Gelai is also involved with Caloy Javier, a hardworking laborer—heightening the stakes in their quest for identity and belonging.[3] Set against the vibrant backdrop of Manila's garment factories and elite fashion houses, the series explores the sisters' parallel journeys from humble beginnings to the pinnacle of Philippine couture, where survival demands not only skill but also resilience against betrayal and hidden legacies.[4][3]Themes
Magkaribal centers on the theme of sibling rivalry, exemplified by the intense conflict between Gelai Agustin (also known as Angela Abella) and Victoria Valera (also known as Anna Abella), who are unknowingly sisters separated by tragedy in their youth. This rivalry symbolizes the loss of innocence due to familial disruption caused by their mother's death and their father's infidelity, while their hidden family bonds drive the narrative toward eventual reconciliation, highlighting the enduring power of blood ties despite years of estrangement.[3] The series portrays the cutthroat competition in the fashion industry, including the pursuit of success among designers and the class divides between elite creators and underpaid seamstresses who labor behind the scenes. It depicts women navigating challenges in the field through ambition and resilience.[3] Motifs of revenge and manipulation are woven through the character of Vera Cruz, whose actions stem from her past with the family, fueling her schemes to reclaim her position as a fashion icon, often paralleling the sisters' own experiences of trauma and betrayal. This thematic thread explores how past wounds shape destructive behaviors, yet also opens pathways to healing.[3] Additionally, love triangles serve as key catalysts for personal growth and forgiveness, particularly in the romantic entanglements involving Gelai, Victoria, and the designer Louie, which force the characters to confront their rivalries and foster emotional maturity. The rivalry between Gelai and Victoria functions as a narrative device to deepen these explorations of interpersonal conflict and resolution.[3]Production
Development
Magkaribal was developed by ABS-CBN Studios as a primetime drama series, marking the Philippines' first fashion-themed teleserye designed to engage female audiences with its blend of romance, melodrama, and industry intrigue.[3] The concept originated from the desire to explore sibling estrangement and rivalry within the high-stakes world of Philippine fashion, drawing on themes of separation due to family tragedy and subsequent paths of ambition and reconciliation.[3] This narrative framework incorporated elements of tragedy—such as a mother's death and paternal abandonment—and romance, positioning the story as a fresh entry in ABS-CBN's lineup in mid-2010.[8] Pre-production commenced in early 2010, with the script emphasizing the contrasting lives of two sisters who unknowingly become rivals in the fashion sector, appealing to viewers through relatable dynamics of love, betrayal, and professional competition.[9] Produced by Star Creatives under ABS-CBN, the series was created by renowned screenwriter Ricardo Lee and Henry King Quitain, with head writer G3 San Diego alongside contributors BJ Lingan and Christine Badillo Novicio, who crafted the multi-episode arc around the protagonists' intersecting fates.[10] Direction was led by Mae Cruz-Alviar and Nuel C. Naval, whose vision highlighted the glamour and cutthroat rivalries of the local fashion scene to elevate the production's visual and emotional impact.[8] The network greenlit the project to innovate within the primetime genre, leveraging the untapped potential of fashion as a backdrop for dramatic tension and character growth, ultimately resulting in a 94-episode run from June to November 2010.[3] To underscore the central rivalry, casting focused on pairing strong lead actresses capable of portraying the sisters' complex antagonism and shared vulnerability.[11]Casting
Bea Alonzo was cast in the dual role of Gelai/Angela, leveraging her recent success in the 2009 series Katorse, where she excelled in depicting resilient underdog characters that resonated with audiences.[12] Her selection was pivotal in advancing the project's development, as producers sought an actress capable of embodying the character's emotional depth and determination.[3] Gretchen Barretto was chosen for the role of Victoria/Anna, bringing her renowned dramatic intensity to the production; this marked her return to ABS-CBN after a period away from the network, following previous commitments elsewhere.[13] Her casting helped solidify the series' high-stakes rivalry dynamic, drawing on her established reputation for compelling performances in intense narratives.[14] For supporting roles, Angel Aquino was selected as the antagonist Vera Cruz following auditions that prioritized an interpretation of vengeful sophistication to heighten the story's conflicts. Enchong Dee and Derek Ramsay were cast as the romantic leads after undergoing chemistry tests to ensure on-screen compatibility with the leads.[11] These choices aimed to create balanced pairings that enhanced the ensemble's interplay. The casting process faced challenges in balancing star power, particularly with Barretto's scheduling conflicts, which required careful coordination to align availability.[15] Fashion industry cameos were incorporated briefly for added authenticity in key scenes.Filming
Filming for Magkaribal took place primarily at studios in Quezon City and on-location in Makati's fashion districts, spanning from May to October 2010 to align with the series' premiere schedule.[3] The production utilized real fashion ateliers and events to enhance authenticity in depicting the high-stakes world of the Philippine fashion industry, with custom wardrobes crafted by local stylists to reflect the characters' designer personas.[3] The series consisted of 94 episodes, shot on a fast-paced weekday schedule that allowed for the integration of elaborate high-fashion runway sequences alongside intense dramatic confrontations central to the plot.[16] Post-production was managed in-house at ABS-CBN, ensuring efficient turnaround for the primetime broadcast.[3]Cast and characters
Main cast
Bea Alonzo portrays Angela "Gelai" Agustin / Angela Abella, the resilient seamstress-turned-designer who embarks on a journey to uncover her true identity amid family secrets and professional rivalries.[3] Gretchen Barretto plays Victoria Valera / Anna Abella, a successful yet haunted fashion mogul whose past traumas fuel her intense drive in the competitive world of high fashion.[3] Angel Aquino stars as Vera Cruz, the manipulative antagonist harboring a deep vendetta against the protagonists, employing cunning schemes to maintain her dominance in the industry.[3] Enchong Dee as Caloy Javier, Gelai's best friend and unrequited love interest, a hardworking porter in Divisoria who provides emotional support during her turbulent path.[17] Derek Ramsay as Louie Villamor, Victoria's ambitious partner whose loyalties create complications in the central love triangle, drawing the protagonists into further conflict.[3]Supporting cast
Robert Arevalo portrays Ronaldo Valera, Victoria's adoptive father and a patriarch of old-money influence who shapes her ruthless ascent in the fashion empire through strategic alliances and familial expectations.[3] Dimples Romana appears as Stella Abella, the sisters' mother whose tragic death deepens the family conflict by revealing long-buried secrets and emotional scars.[3] Barbie Sabino appears as young Angela "Gelai" Abella in flashback sequences, illustrating the childhood separation of the sisters and underscoring the series' exploration of lost innocence and identity. Mark Gil as Manuel Abella, the sisters' biological father whose infidelity contributes to the family's breakdown.[3] John Arcilla as Hermes Agustin, Gelai's adoptive father.[3] Erich Gonzales as Chloe Abella, a key figure in the family dynamics and subplots.[5] The ensemble extends to Gelai's coworkers at the Divisoria market, such as Donna (Nina Ricci Alagao), who offer comic relief and solidarity in her rise from rags to designer, while Victoria's assistants, including Kate (Bea Saw), highlight the cutthroat dynamics of high fashion through their loyalty and betrayals in key subplots.Guest appearances
Magkaribal incorporated guest appearances from prominent figures in the Philippine fashion industry to authentically depict the competitive world of couture and runway events. Real-life designers appeared as themselves in key scenes, including runway shows and mentorship segments, lending credibility to the narrative's focus on fashion rivalry. For instance, renowned couturier Renee Salud portrayed himself across numerous episodes, contributing to the portrayal of high-stakes design critiques and collaborations.[18] Similarly, fashion experts Kaye Tinga and Richard Papa made cameos as themselves, enhancing the series' immersion in real-world fashion dynamics.[18] These appearances served to bridge fiction and reality, showcasing elements inspired by major Philippine fashion events such as Philippine Fashion Week, where designers evaluate emerging talents and present collections. By featuring industry professionals in non-recurring roles, the series highlighted the glamour and intensity of the local fashion scene without overshadowing the central plotlines.[17] The cameos added prestige and educational value, allowing viewers to see authentic interactions between established designers and fictional characters vying for supremacy in the industry.[17]Episodes
Structure and format
Magkaribal aired for a total of 94 episodes on weekdays at 9:15 PM on ABS-CBN, with each episode running approximately 45 minutes including commercials.[8][19] The series employed a serialized drama format, characterized by ongoing storylines that unfolded across daily installments, emphasizing emotional intensity and plot progression typical of Philippine teleseryes.[20] The narrative was divided into thematic chapters, each building toward suspenseful cliffhangers at their conclusions to maintain viewer engagement and anticipation for subsequent developments. Storytelling heavily incorporated flashbacks to reveal backstory and motivations, while centering dual perspectives from the viewpoints of the estranged sisters, Victoria and Gelai, to highlight their emotional and psychological contrasts. This approach allowed for layered character exploration amid escalating conflicts in the fashion industry. The overall structure progressed through distinct arcs, beginning with the sisters' unexpected reunion and evolving into intense rivalry, culminating in dramatic confrontations. Key set pieces, such as high-stakes fashion shows, served as pivotal moments that intertwined personal vendettas with professional ambitions, reinforcing the series' themes of competition and familial bonds.[3]List of episodes
Magkaribal consists of 94 episodes divided into thematic chapters, spanning the emotional journey from familial separation to reconciliation. The series aired daily on ABS-CBN from June 28 to November 5, 2010. Full episodes are available for streaming on platforms like YouTube and iWantTFC as of 2025.[2][21][22] The premiere episode on June 28, 2010, establishes the central contrast between the protagonists: Gelai's modest existence in the slums of Quiapo, where she hones her sewing skills, and Victoria's ascent within a prestigious fashion empire under her adoptive father's guidance. This introduction sets the stage for their unwitting rivalry in the high-stakes world of Philippine couture.[3][23] Early chapters delve into poignant childhood flashbacks depicting the sisters' traumatic separation following their mother's death and their subsequent reunion as adults in the competitive fashion industry. These segments highlight themes of lost innocence and rediscovered bonds amid personal hardships. Mid-series progression intensifies the rivalry, marked by escalating conflicts over love, betrayal, and professional dominance.[3][5] Notable episodes include high-tension fashion show confrontations, such as in Episode 50, where professional ambitions clash dramatically on the runway,[24] and revelation climaxes in later episodes that unveil long-buried family truths, propelling the plot toward resolution. The finale on November 5, 2010, culminates the arc by addressing deep-seated secrets, leading to themes of forgiveness and familial healing.[3]Broadcast
Original run
Magkaribal premiered on June 28, 2010, on ABS-CBN, replacing Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Clash 2010 in the network's primetime lineup.[1][25] The series occupied the 9:15 p.m. slot on weekdays, airing in Philippine Standard Time as part of ABS-CBN's 2010 primetime block.[26] It ran for 94 episodes until its finale on November 5, 2010, after garnering a huge following that contributed to its successful completion.[1][3]Reruns
The first rerun of Magkaribal aired on Jeepney TV from January 6 to April 17, 2014, occupying a morning slot to cater to nostalgic viewers seeking classic ABS-CBN dramas.[27] Additional reruns on Jeepney TV occurred from April 6 to May 21, 2015; September 4 to October 13, 2017; April 21 to August 4, 2019; and December 26, 2022, to March 3, 2023. A more recent rerun took place on ALLTV from October 28 to December 27, 2024, with episodes edited for suitable daytime viewing to align with family-oriented schedules.[28]International broadcast
Magkaribal, known internationally as Rivals, was dubbed in English and broadcast on Kenya's Nation Television (NTV) starting in 2010, occupying the prime 6-7 p.m. timeslot and contributing to the growing popularity of Filipino teleseryes across East Africa.[29] The series' themes of sibling rivalry and family ambition resonated with audiences in the region, where ABS-CBN content has been a staple since the early 2000s, often outpacing local programming in viewership.[29][30] The show was also distributed to the Middle East and Vietnam through ABS-CBN International, expanding its reach beyond the Philippines.[30] In French-speaking territories, including Canada, Magkaribal aired dubbed as Rivales beginning in 2012, marking one of ABS-CBN's early successes in non-English markets.[31] Additionally, it has been available on The Filipino Channel (TFC), ABS-CBN's global network, for overseas Filipino communities in the United States, Canada, and the Middle East since 2011, allowing expatriates to access episodes via cable and satellite feeds.[4] This universal appeal to family dynamics facilitated its adaptation into various linguistic formats without major remakes.[4]Reception
Viewership
Magkaribal premiered on June 28, 2010, achieving a 25.3% national household rating in the primetime slot, according to Kantar Media/TNS data, outperforming its competitor Diva on GMA-7, which garnered 19.4%.[32] Throughout its run, the series maintained strong performance, averaging 26.8% nationwide in November 2010 and topping Metro Manila ratings with 26.5% for the same period, placing it among ABS-CBN's top-rated programs that month.[33] The finale on November 5, 2010, peaked at 30.0% in national household ratings, marking one of the highest viewership figures for ABS-CBN dramas in 2010 and ranking second in primetime that evening behind Noah.[34]Critical response
Critics praised Magkaribal for the strong performances of leads Bea Alonzo and Gretchen Barretto, with Alonzo delivering what was described as her strongest role in years and Barretto offering a breakthrough portrayal of a complex antagonist.[6] The series was lauded as a riveting exploration of female ambition in the competitive world of fashion, empowering its protagonists beyond typical dramatic tropes.[35] Some reviewers noted criticisms regarding predictable plot twists in the rivalry narrative and an over-reliance on melodrama, particularly in its depiction of family conflicts and revenge arcs that occasionally undermined thematic consistency.[36] Overall, the series received positive reception for its emotional depth, earning a 7.4/10 rating on IMDb and being highlighted as one of the best Philippine dramas of 2010 in retrospective analyses.[5][6] The fashion elements were particularly lauded for their authenticity, featuring creative wardrobes and couture that reflected character personalities and sparked interest in Philippine design among viewers.[35][6] Themes of rivalry resonated with audiences, contributing to the show's enduring appeal as a tale of sisterly competition and personal growth.[36]Awards and nominations
Magkaribal garnered recognition from various award-giving bodies in the Philippines for its storytelling and performances, particularly in 2011. The series won Best Drama Series at the 9th Gawad Tanglaw Awards, highlighting its impact as a primetime drama.[37] Additionally, lead actress Gretchen Barretto received the Best Drama Actress award at the 25th PMPC Star Awards for Television for her portrayal of Victoria Salvador.[38] The series earned nominations at international and local ceremonies, including a nod in the Telenovela category at the 2011 New York Festivals TV & Film Awards.[39] At the Golden Screen TV Awards, Magkaribal was nominated for Outstanding Original Drama Series, while Barretto was recognized for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series.[40] Bea Alonzo also received a nomination for Best Drama Actress at the 25th PMPC Star Awards for Television.[41]| Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Best Drama Series | Magkaribal | Won | 2011 |
| PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Gretchen Barretto | Won | 2011 |
| New York Festivals TV & Film Awards | Telenovela | Magkaribal | Nominated | 2011 |
| Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Original Drama Series | Magkaribal | Nominated | 2011 |
| Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series | Gretchen Barretto | Nominated | 2011 |
| PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Bea Alonzo | Nominated | 2011 |
