The series was announced in late 2008, the same year Zaijian Jaranilla became an actor for ABS-CBN/Star Magic. The network's TV production team sought a church suitable for the series' religious-themed story. Initially titled "Marcelino," the name was later changed to its final title, May Bukas Pa, a few months after the show's announcement. The story conference for the series took place on January 9, 2009, where the show's logo was revealed. Taping or principal photography of the series occurred from January 15, 2009, to February 5, 2010.[7] Most of the scenes were taped in San Guillermo Parish Church in Barangay Cabambangan and the Municipal Hall of Bacolor in Barangay Calibutbut, Bacolor, Pampanga. The overall production process of the series, including its announcement and story conference, spanned two years.
As a result of the show's popularity, other media related to the series continued to be aired and released.
The show aired two reruns of its first season. The first rerun was from April 9 to 11, 2009, during the Paschal Triduum of that year, in which the first 48 episodes were re-aired.
It was reaired from March 16, 2020, to May 4, 2020, temporarily replacing Ang Probinsyano due to the community quarantines caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, which led ABS-CBN to suspend tapings of their ongoing drama series. During this period, the first 65 episodes of the series were re-aired.[8] It ended on May 5, 2020 due to the network's shutdown that night, following the expiration of its broadcast franchise granted in 1995 the day prior.
The third rerun on ALLTV, channel 2, formerly ABS-CBN's channel space as DWWX-TV, premiered on May 13, 2024, as part of Jeepney TV on ALLTV's programming.
The story revolves around Santino (Zaijian Jaranilla), a wide-eyed young boy who was orphaned as a baby before being adopted and raised by Franciscans. Living in the fictional town of Barangay Bagong Pag-asa, he eventually discovers the ability to see and speak with Jesus Christ, whom he fondly called “Bro”. He also gains the ability to miraculously heal the sick. With these special abilities, Santino goes out to help other people with their problems and make a difference in their lives.[9]
The series focuses on kindness and morality in humanity, depicting a child who believes that there's always a way to rectify mistakes, no matter how serious. He trusts that "Bro," his nickname for Jesus Christ, will always guide them with light. The show has had a significant impact on many Filipinos, shaping their outlook on life in a positive manner.
In line with the show's immense popularity, various merchandise such as t-shirts, sandals, and other items were produced for children.
Music
Theme song
The theme song of the religious drama with the same title was originally performed by Rico J. Puno. The first version is sung by Kyle Balili, and the second version is sung by Erik Santos.
ABS-CBN's Christmas 2009 campaign was inspired by the show's popularity. The song is entitled "Star ng Pasko" (lit.'Star of Christmas'). Christmas lanterns were specially created by ABS-CBN and sold to benefit ABS-CBN Foundation's charity programs. ABS-CBN launched Parol ni Bro on November 4, 2009, where an 18-foot Christmas lantern atop the ABS-CBN building was lit up by the cast of May Bukas Pa, ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio, and ABS-CBN chairman and CEO Eugenio Lopez III.[11]
Reception
Due to the show's ratings, ABS-CBN's management decided to extend it for 20 weeks instead of the initial eight weeks.[12] On June 23, 2009, ABS-CBN television head Cory Vidanes announced that the show would be extended until February 2010.[13]
May Bukas Pa was the highest-rated program on Philippine television from 2009 to June 3, 2011, when the 2010–2011 series Mara Clara took over as the highest-rating show from 2011 to 2012. The series became the first primetime TV series in the Philippines to last at least a full year in the 2010s decade, peaking during its finale with a 47.3% nationwide rating according to Kantar Media/TNS. It currently holds the record as the country's highest-rated show of all time since Philippine television switched to a nationwide TV ratings system on the opening day of 2009.[14][15][16]
Critical reception
Entertainment columnist Nestor Torre of the Philippine Daily Inquirer said, "It must have been a big decision for the new show’s producers to get away from that downbeat view of life and come up with this Marcelino Pan Y Vino-inspired tale. But it’s great to note that the gamble has paid off in a big way: May Bukas Pa has been enjoying very good ratings, proving what we’ve been saying all this time--that viewers want to be inspired by the dramas they watch." However, he criticized the show's "religious" scenes as "poorly, shallowly staged," which he felt made genuine inspiration and devotion difficult to come by while viewing the series. He further criticized the show's use of extras, who mostly played sick people but were perceived as bad actors. He adds, "Any director worth his salt would have sensed that the montage of healing needed good actors to make it meaningful and moving. Why were inept actors used instead? Possibly because the production was scrimping on talent fees. Well, it was a penny-wise pound-foolish decision, because the important sequence was botched."[17]
Accolades
As a result of the show's success, many awards associated with it were announced via telecast from 2009 to 2011. In 2022, eleven years after the last award (1st Lingkod TV Awards - Most Favorite Child Personalities) was broadcast on TV in 2011, the Jeepney Fan Favorite Awards - Fave Child Star was awarded to the show's lead actor Zaijian Jaranilla. May Bukas Pa also received an award at the 2009 Catholic Mass Media Awards, besides its Best Drama award, presented by Manila ArchbishopGaudencio Rosales. The award was accepted by lead star Zaijian Jaranilla and the supporting actors who portrayed priests, dressed in cassocks for the occasion.[18] The Anak TV Seal Awards were also awarded twice, in 2009 and 2010.
The movie Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!, released on April 23, 2011, shares similarities with the series. Zaijian Jaranilla, who portrays Angelito in the movie, has the ability to perform miracles such as healing the sick and communicating with spiritual beings. In May Bukas Pa, he communicates with Bro/Jesus Christ and Satan (in the form of a red light), while in Pak! Pak! My Dr. Kwak!, he communicates with God (depicted as a white light).
On May 22, 2011, ABS-CBN aired a documentary entitled Banál (Tagalog for "holy") to commemorate the beatification of Pope John Paul II. Zaijian Jaranilla and Jaime Fabregas reprised their roles as Santino and Father Anthony to present the life of John Paul II and his significance for Filipinos.
In June 2019, Zaijian Jaranilla returned to Bacolor Church, where he revisited Bro (Jesus Christ) as part of ABS-CBN's 65th anniversary year-long celebration.[21]
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