Young dramatic stars in "Mga Basang Sisiw"

CEBU, Philippines - GMA Network launches Mga Basang Sisiw, an afternoon drama series that will make viewers feel that someone shares and understands their sorrows and hardships.

Inspired by the 1981 blockbuster film Mga Basang Sisiw, GMA reinterprets the well-loved Agustin dela Cruz film.

Mga Basang Sisiw is topbilled by Ms. Lani Mercado, Raymond Bagatsing, Gardo Versoza, Caridad Sanchez, Maricris Garcia with Mike Tan; featuring the Network's discoveries Renz Valerio, Bianca Umali, Kimberly Faye, Hershey Garcia, Miko Zarsadias, and Maxene Magalona in her first kontrabida role.

In the series, Froilan Sebastian's (Raymond Bagatsing) family can be described as picture perfect. However, his wife Olivia’s (Lani Mercado) distant relative Vicky (Maxene Magalona) plotted to destroy their marriage by making it seem like Froilan has an affair with her. Because of this, Olivia together with their five kids - Justin (Renz), Faye (Bianca), Shine (Kimberly), Cha (Hershey) and Mickey (Miko) - decided to leave her husband. Froilan's family end up in a plane crash; only the five kids survived and they couldn't find Olivia's body.

The kids return to their father and because everyone thought, most especially Vicky, that Olivia is dead, she plotted to assume the role as Froilan's “wife” when Froilan figured in a car accident. When the bed-ridden Froilan was not able to defend his children, Vicky starts maltreating the children. The children could not take the abuse anymore causing them to run away from home. Nowhere to go, all of them end up in the streets where they meet Lola Lagring (Caridad Sanchez), someone who shares and understands their regrettable situation.

Vicky has no choice but to look for the five kids because without them, she doesn't have the right to access Froilan's riches. Also, unknown to everyone, Olivia, apparently, is alive and also searching for her children with the help of a concerned friend, the role played by Gardo Versoza.

On the streets, the kids meet Rigor (Mike Tan), who will serve as their big brother. But to further complicate their plight, Rigor is Vicky's childhood sweetheart.

Will Olivia find her children again? Will the five kids be able to survive life on the streets and deal with their unfortunate situation?

Under the helm of director Ricky Davao, Mga Basang Sisiw inspires viewers with the truth that no matter how bad life seems, someone always shares and understands one’s confinement in such a desperate state.

The creative team is composed of Afternoon Prime Head, Roy Iglesias; Creative Consultant,  Kit Villanueva Langit; Headwriter, Richard Dode Cruz; writers,  Luningning Ribay and Christine Novicio; and Brainstormers,  Gilda Olvidado and Liberty Trinidad.

Mga Basang Sisiw is supervised by Executive In-charge of Production, Ms. Lilybeth G. Rasonable; VP for Drama, Redgie Acuña Magno; AVP for Drama, Cheryl Ching-Sy;  Program Manager, Hazel F. Abonita with Executive Producer, Kaye Atienza-Cadsawan.

Mga Basang Sisiw premieres today, right after Eat Bulaga on GMA Afternoon Prime. (FREEMAN)