A Soldier's Heart is a Philippine television drama action series broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Richard V. Somes, Raz De La Torre and Mervyn Brondial, it stars Gerald Anderson, Carlo Aquino, Vin Abrenica, Elmo Magalona, Jerome Ponce, Yves Flores, Nash Aguas, Sue Ramirez and Sid Lucero. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line-up and worldwide on TFC from January 20 to September 18, 2020, replacing The Killer Bride and was replaced by Walang Hanggang Paalam.
| A Soldier's Heart | |
|---|---|
 Title card | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Charo Santos-Concio |
| Written by | Carlo Katigbak Chie Floresca Chino Nicanor April Kristine Jalandra Jerry Gracio |
| Directed by |
|
| Starring | |
| Music by | Carmina Cuya |
| Opening theme | "Hanggang Mamatay" by Noel Cabangon |
| Composer | Noel Cabangon |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language | Filipino |
| No. of seasons | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 110 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Carlo Katigbak Cory Vidanes Laurenti Dyogi Ruel Bayani |
| Producers | Marielle de Guzman-Navarro Roda Catolico Dela Cerna |
| Cinematography | Neil Daza |
| Editors |
|
| Production company | RCD Narratives |
| Original release | |
| Network | ABS-CBN |
| Release | January 20 – March 13, 2020 |
| Network | Kapamilya Channel |
| Release | June 15 – September 18, 2020 |
Synopsis
editThe series primarily focuses on the soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and their actions during combat. Through multiple perspectives, the story focuses on these soldiers, mainly: Alex Marasigan (Gerald Anderson), an IT expert who quits his desk job and joins because just like his brother, he wants to serve the country, Abraham "Abe" Kamlun (Carlo Aquino), a Tausug Muslim man, who, despite his family's opposition of the move, joins the Army nonetheless, and Michael Mendoza (Nash Aguas), a boy who joins the Army to provide for his family.
The series also focuses on their Moro separatist adversaries, led by Saal Alhuraji (Sid Lucero), also known by his nom de guerre Abdul Waajid, who seeks to avenge his father who was killed by the military.
Cast and characters
edit
- Main cast
- Gerald Anderson[1][2][3][4] as Pfc. Alexander "Alex" Marasigan, PA / Hakeem Alhuraji
- Carlo Aquino[1][3][4] as Sgt. Abraham "Abe" Kamlun, PA
- Vin Abrenica[1][3][4] as Capt. Elmer Marasigan, PA
- Elmo Magalona[1][3][4] as Capt. Jethro Mondejar, PA
- Yves Flores[1][3][4] as 2nd Lt. Benjamin "Benjie" Arguelles, PA
- Jerome Ponce[1][3][4] as 2nd Lt. Philip "Phil" Panganiban, PA
- Nash Aguas[1][3][4] as Sgt. Michael "Striker" Mendoza, PA
- Sue Ramirez[3][5][4] as Capt. Lourdes "Lourd" Bacalso, PA
- Sid Lucero[4] as Saal Alhuraji/Abdul Waajid
- Supporting cast
- Ariel Rivera[4] as BGen. Victor C. Mondejar, AFP
- Rommel Padilla[4] as BGen. Dante G. Marasigan†, AFP
- Irma Adlawan[4] as Yasmin Alhuraji/Amarah Alhuraji
- Raymond Bagatsing[4] as Col. Melicio Adriano, PA
- Mickey Ferriols[4] as Minda Marasigan
- Mon Confiado[4] as Lt. Col. Raul R. Lucente, PA
- Nikki Valdez[4] as Fatima Alhuraji
- Matt Evans[6][4] as Rasheed Ahmad
- Nor Domingo[4] as Col. Virgilio I. Fontiveros, PA
- Angelo Ilagan as Pvt. Gregorio "Gorio" Salud
- Isay Alvarez[4] as Maysam Kamlun
- Jun Hidalgo as Ahmed Kamlun
- Claire Ruiz as Grace Valderama
- Royce Cabrera as Pvt. Andy Alfonso, PA
- Acey Aguilar as Pvt. Jacob Cornejo, PA
- Patrick Quiroz[4]/Francis Magundayao as Amir Majul
- Charlie Dizon as Isabel Gezali
- Guest cast
- John Vincent Servilla as Chino Villaverde
- Richard Quan as Gov. Amer Gezali
- Sammie Rimando as Chloe Gezali
- Elora Espano/Shaira Opsimar as Aaliyah Abad
- Levi Ignacio as Cong. Shamal Shakiri
- Ketchup Eusebio[4] as Cpl. Olan Arguelles, PA
- Lito Pimentel as Yosef Alhuraji
- Victor Silayan as young Yosef
- Manuel Chua as young Victor
- Teroy Guzman as Abdul Waajid
- Minco Fabregas as Jamal Kamlun
- Dionne Monsanto as Atty. Odessa Mariano
Broadcast
editThe series airs on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel.
On March 16, 2020, despite having already canned its episodes, the show suspended it's airings and its production was put on hiatus due to the 2020 Luzon enhanced community quarantine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines.[7] Its timeslot was temporarily filled by Wildflower,[8] iWant Originals[7] and Tubig at Langis.[9]
Thereafter, the series future placed in doubt after the ABS-CBN closure, following the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on account of its franchise expiration.[10] However, the series is return on June 15, 2020, with a brand new season on cable-and-satellite channel Kapamilya Channel.[11]
The series re-aired on Kapamilya Channel's Kapamilya Gold afternoon block, Kapamilya Online Live (since November 1, 2022, replacing Magpahanggang Wakas) and A2Z's Zuper Hapon from January 2 to May 19, 2023, replacing the re-run of Be My Lady and was replaced by How to Move On in 30 Days.
Reception
editRatings
edit| Pilot Episode | Finale Episode | Peak | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19.8% January 20, 2020[12] |
N/A September 18, 2020 |
N/A |
N/A |
- The series aired nationwide on a cable channel/pay TV, which has a relatively smaller audience compared to other media broadcasters.
Controversies
editDepiction of Butuan
editThe show came under fire early in the show's run for its perceived "unrealistic" and "offensive" depiction of Butuan.[13] The scene in question was from the show's pilot episode showing the bombing of a market in the city.[13] In a statement, Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Lawrence Fortun asked ABS-CBN “to immediately air an appropriate disclaimer, review and reconsider the content and story elements of the teleserye in order not to further besmirch the reputation of our historic city.”[13]
For its part, ABS-CBN apologized on January 23, 2020. Its statement read: “ABS-CBN would like to apologize to Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun and the people of Butuan City if the scenes in the TV series ‘A Soldier’s Heart’ have offended them. While the incident portrayed in the series was fictitious, there was mention of the city name.”
“We would like to assure them that there was no deliberate intention to portray Butuan negatively in the show. We acknowledge that Butuan is one of the most beautiful and peaceful cities in the country,” it added.[14]
On January 24, 2020, ABS-CBN executives headed by Cory Vidanes and Laurenti Dyogi met with Fortun to further clear the issue. After said meeting, Fortun noted that aside from airing specific disclaimers, ABS-CBN has removed all production elements, scenes, and references that may be offensive to Butuan.[15]
Side story
editOn August 19, 2021, RCD Narrative announced on their Twitter account that they will produce the BL side story Philjie’s Heart[16]
Awards and nominations
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g "Cast ng A Soldier's Heart, ipinakilala na!". ABS-CBN Entertainment. July 24, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ "Sumabak sa Scout Ranger training, Gerald kumain na nakadapa habang nasa putikan!". Philippine Star. August 11, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h A Soldier's Heart: The Brotherhood Teaser. ABS-CBN Entertainment. January 9, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "A Soldier's Heart shows sacrifice, loyal brotherhood of soldiers". ABS-CBN Corporate. January 17, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
- ^ "Sue Ramirez and Gerald Anderson gear up for upcoming series A Soldier's Heart". Showbiz Chika. October 7, 2019.
- ^ "With Star Magic return, Matt Evans feels his prayers were answered". ABS-CBN News. July 31, 2019. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
- ^ a b "READ: ABS-CBN statement on special primetime programming amid Metro Manila quarantine". ABS-CBN News. March 14, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
- ^ Anarcon, James Patrick (March 23, 2020). "ABS-CBN's Wildflower goes head-to-head with GMA-7's My Husband's Lover in new primetime line-up". PEP. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
- ^ ""Tubig at Langis" back on ABS-CBN, airs weeknights on primetime". ABS-CBN Corporation. April 14, 2020. Retrieved April 19, 2020.
- ^ Rivas, Ralf (May 5, 2020). "ABS-CBN goes off-air after NTC order". Rappler. Retrieved June 26, 2020.
- ^ "FPJ's Ang Probinsyano and other favorite Kapamilya shows return on cable and satellite TV". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN Corporation. June 4, 2020. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
- ^ "National TV Ratings (January 20–21, 2020)". ABS-CBN Corporate. January 22, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
- ^ a b c "A Soldier's Heart' shows 'unreal depiction' of Butuan, says Agusan del Norte rep". Rappler. January 23, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ "ABS-CBN sorry after Butuan solon complains against 'A Soldier's Heart'". ABS-CBN News. January 23, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ Santos, Mari-An (January 26, 2020). "ABS-CBN removes "offensive" Butuan scenes from A Soldier's Heart". PEP. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- ^ "Good news for BL fans! Phil and Benjie's story to continue in 'PhilJie's Heart'". www.msn.com. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
- ^ "Winners and Nominees 2021". Venice TV Award (in German). Retrieved June 6, 2023.
- ^ "ABS-CBN receives highest honors for TV in the 5th GEMS Awards". ABS-CBN. January 14, 2021.
- ^ "2020 NATIONAL WINNERS". Asian Academy Creative Awards. Retrieved June 6, 2023.