GMA Network’s new primetime program I Heart Davao debuted on a high note on its pilot episode, beating its rival program and dominating social media on June 26.
Starring Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez with Benjamin Alves, the first romantic comedy series shot in Davao lorded over competition in TV ratings, getting a 7.4 percent people ratings (based on overnight data) against ABS-CBN’s A Love to Last. The rival program only managed to get 6.2 percent based on Nielsen Philippines TAM’s Urban Philippines people data.
I Heart Davao also made waves on social media, with #iHeartDavaoPilot becoming one of the trending topics in the Philippines.
Fans celebrated the return of real and reel life couple Abellana and Rodriguez, saying the series gave them a night filled with kilig and laughter courtesy of the love-hate banter of TomCar’s characters Ponce and Hope.
@DMamerta shared, “after 3 years, waaaah new romcom for TomCar. Excited!” Another netizen, @shawiedred said, “Waaahhh @gmapublicaffairs thanks for this bittersweet serye of #tomcar grabeehh k in love sina Ponce at Hope @akosimangtomas @carlaangeline d k talaga ito tatantanan from start to finish never mind the puyatan basta for TomCar all the way.”
The beauty of Davao perfectly captured in the show’s beautiful cinematography mesmerized Netizens. Some could not help but reminisce about their trips to the province. @IngeniosusMe said, “Naalala ko tuloy nung nagpunta ako sa Davao yrs ago to visit a friend.”
Some welcomed Bisaya, the dialect that Rodrigiuez speaks in the series. @EverDFangirl said, “Tom speaking bisaya… Lingaw kaau! Hehehe.”
The pilot episode Hope and Ponce crossing paths for the first time in a food fair in Davao.with Ponce irks Hope with his “Dabawenyo Dude” attitude.
Back in Manila, Hope continues to look after her family’s chocolate business, at the same time trying to find a heart donor because her congenital condition continues to worsen. Yet, the two are seemed destined to meet each other again. Ponce followed his girlfriend Aileen (Catherine Rem) to the city with the intention of convincing her to go home to Davao with him. Firm with her decision to work in Manila, Aileen took off only to meet a car accident. And as if fate were playing a game, Hope suffers a heart attack.
Viewers can only expect superb performances from the cast that includes Betong Sumaya, Maey Bautista, Ricardo Cepeda, Glenda Garcia, Racquel Villavicencio, Joel Saracho, Geraldine Villamil, Natileigh Sitoy, Kevin Sagra, and Phillip Lazaro.
Produced by GMA Public Affairs, I Heart Davao airs weeknights after My Love From The Star on GMA Telebabad.