Magpakailanman (English: Forevermore) is a weekly anthology of inspiring stories of the GMA Network (Philippines). Magpakailanman features the life experiences of famous personalities and ordinary people who loved and lost on their way to success. The show is hosted by broadcaster Mel Tiangco.The first incarnation of the show aired its last original episode on December 27, 2007 and was replaced by the E.S.P. TV series. While the succeeding show was then still under production, reruns of Magpakailanman were aired until January 31, 2008. Reruns of Magpakailanman were aired on GMA Life TV.
On its 10th anniversary, Magpakailanman returned to Philippine television on November 17, 2012. Tiangco reprised her role as the host/narrator.
Overview
Magpakailanman was originally created by GMA Entertainment TV Group as a one-season inspirational drama special intended for the celebration of World Meeting of Families in January 23–24, 2003. Actress Vilma Santos was the original choice to host the show, but was eventually given went to Mel Tiangco after the former refused the offer. Because of the overwhelming positive feedback from viewers and critics, and high ratings, the network decided to make it as a regular weekly drama anthology. It was originally shown every Monday night. The show premiered with Bakit Ako Mahihiya? (Why Should I Be Ashamed?), an episode about the life of former “Jukebox Queen”, the late Didith Reyes.
On its second season, the network decided to move the show from Monday nights to a Thursday night timeslot. The Janet Clemente Story served as the show's second season pilot. Because of its continued leadership in the ratings game, the show had finally toppled its rival "Maalaala Mo Kaya" (which regarded as the longest drama anthology on Philippine television), which later prompted to change its schedule from Thursday nights to Fridays. As a result of this move, Magpakailanman's ratings began to decline, and eventually, the management decided to cancel the show.
Return and changes
After a four-year hiatus and due to the growing clamor to revive the program, GMA Network decided to have Magpakailanman returned to Philippine television. The returning drama anthology premiered on November 17, 2012, which again pitted against MMK, which has been airing also every Saturday nights since 2008. Tiangco returned as the show’s presenter.
GMA Entertainment TV Assistant Vice President for Drama, Redgie Acuña-Magno, states that it took two years to convince Tiangco to appear on the show again, which she eventually agreed when the network’s President, Chairman and CEO, Atty. Felipe Gozon himself, sent a word about his request to have her return to the show.
Aside from mere storytelling and narrating, Tiangco took a more participative role in the development of the show. The new season’s main objective is, as it was in its previous seasons, to make the stories inspiring and uplifting. However, the new incarnation of the show now also aims to have the featured stories provocative, exceptional, arresting, and/or sensational. The production team also applied some “investigative” elements into the show's plot. With this new formula, the program not only showed the exact events that happened, but also examined certain aspects as to why these unfortunate events occured, and how these situations can be prevented in the future.