Do Niña Niño stars believein miracles?

MANILA, Philippines — After more than a year of presenting heartwarming episodes to televiewers, Niña Niño continues to offer narratives that redefine our understanding of real-life miracles.

The inspirational drama series, airing on TV5, reflects the true meaning of healing, forgiveness and hope that glued audiences to their seats watching it scene after scene.

No wonder, Niña Niño has been registering record-breaking ratings performance for the network. It recently bagged the National Winner for Best Drama Series 2021 at the recent Asian Academy Creative Awards.

The same award-giving body also recognized the impressive acting performance of lead star Maja Salvador with the National Winner for Best Actress 2021 award. Maja portrays the character Niña.

Noel with co-star Yayo Aguila.

Empoy Marquez, who plays Gardo, said the whole Niña Niño family is thankful to people who continue to support the show. “At s’yempre si God na nag-pro-provide sa ating lahat. Nagpapasalamat kami na laging maganda ang panahon sa (araw ng mga) taping namin sa Quezon (province).”

To celebrate the show’s milestones, Kapatid viewers can expect more interesting plots with the addition of new characters to the pool of already talented and impressive cast. Fans will get to meet the new characters in the persons of Matet de Leon, Jairus Aquino, Nikki Valdez, Alex Medina, Harvey Bautista, Nikko Natividad and Mon Confiado who will either make or break the lives of Niña and Niño (played by Noel Comia Jr.).

During the Niña Niño virtual media gathering dubbed as Himala Ng Pasko, Noel said viewers should look forward to new happenings that will not only test the faith of the characters but also touch the hearts of viewers with events that can be perceived as miracles.

Interestingly, all the stars present in the Zoom interview affirmed that every day is filled with miracles.

“For me, miracle na sa ating lahat ang pag gising natin sa umaga. It’s a new beginning, new hope,” remarked Empoy.

For Noel, believing in miracles gives meaning to life. To remain hopeful despite the challenges the global health crisis brings can also be viewed as a miracle, he said.

“We just have to have faith so that we can surpass whatever it is that each of us is going through,” added the young actor.

In the series, Noel’s Niño is the younger brother of Maja’s Niña. The two left their destitute life in the city for a fresh start in their hometown, Sta. Ynez. There, the siblings begin to experience a miracle that led them to change their views in life completely.

With the cast and crew on the set located in Quezon province.

In this modern time, Moi Marcampo, a.k.a. Moi Bien, is certain that miracles can still happen.

“Kapag mga medyo may situation tayo na hindi natin kaya, iisipin pa rin natin na sana merong milagro ang Diyos or may milagrong mangyari para malagpasan ang problema. Like ngayon, may COVID, di ba iniisip pa rin natin sana mag-milagro na mawala na lang ito bigla.

“So, I think para sa kin na 40 years old na, meron pa rin na milagro at sana mag milagro na para mawala na itong lahat ng problema sa mundo.”

It wasn’t hard for Yayo Aguila to agree with her co-actors knowing how she herself just received the most beautiful miracle during this time of pandemic.

“This pandemic, I would say that until now, by the grace of God, no one in the family has been afflicted with COVID. There were many friends who got infected. Doon pa lang malaking biyaya na.

“I’m also really thankful, and I’ve been telling this many times that I didn’t expect this project to be offered to me during this pandemic at sobrang grateful ako talaga na ipinagkatiwala sa akin ‘yung role ko as Nanay Gloria.”

Working with both acting pros and greenhorns is an opportunity for Yayo to keep her acting flare burning. She treats her co-actors without bias.

“Actually, I don’t have a problem working with everyone. I welcome with open arms ‘yung mga baguhan at kahit hindi baguhan. Like me, I’m not in the original cast but still, there are members na ngayon ko lang rin nakasama. Everyone is equal so there should be no competition. We must help each other.”

Asked if she gives pieces of advice to new stars, Yayo said that she is always willing to support them “kasi hindi ka dapat mag-ma-marunong which can make them conscious. I give them freedom to show their approach. I just let them be.”

With Maja Salvador (foreground), Kat Galang and Empoy Marquez. Photos from Noel’s Instagram.

But more than the acting, building relationships with co-actors is more important for the actress.

“’Yung pag-arte, natuturo ‘yan pero yung pagiging mabuti mong tao, pagiging mabuting kasama sa trabaho, nasa puso mo ‘yan,” she concluded.

(Niña Niño airs every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday at 7:15 p.m. before FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and after Sing-Galing.)