MANILA -- "Hindi po importante kung tatay ko siya sa dugo. Ang pamilya po, nasa puso." This was Jose's (Louise Abuel) response to Tisoy (Ramon Christopher Gutierrez), who kidnapped him to bait his stepfather Kamlon (Jhong Hilario). In the series finale on Friday, Tisoy and his men wait for Kamlon, who turned his back on them and their illegal business, to save Jose. As they start losing patience, Kamlon arrives and offers to trade his life for Jose's. This puzzles Jose since his stepfather has not shown affection for him before. But before Tisoy could shoot Kamlon, the police arrive and Kamlon and Jose try to escape. Tisoy, however, catches up with them and shoots Kamlon. Bleeding, Kamlon asks for Jose's forgiveness. "Jose, patawarin mo ako sa lahat ng nagawa ko sa 'yo. Masyado akong naging makasarili. Pinagkait ko lahat ng pagmamahal na nararapat sa 'yo," he said. "Mas naging ama ka pa sa kanila [his children] kaysa sa akin." But before Tisoy could finish off Kamlon, the police shoot Tisoy dead. Kamlon survives the gunshots and their family is reunited, leading Jose to realize "magkaiba pala ang pamilya at ang kapamilya." "Ang kapamilya, hindi nasusukat sa dugo o sa kinalakihang mundo. Nasusukat ito sa pagmamahal na kaya mong ibigay para sa kanila. Sa mga sakripisyong hihingiin ng pagkakataon para sa kanila. Sa pagpapatawad sa tuwing nagkakamali ang isa't isa. Sa pagtitiwala sa kakayahan nilang magbago. At higit sa lahat ang kapamilya, hindi nawawala sa puso. Forgiveness, trust, at hindi nawawala sa puso." A true to life story The story of "Walang Iwanan" is based on the life of Jose Bautista and his siblings. The story happened in the '70s and was originally featured in "Maalaala Mo Kaya." According to its director Jerome Pobocan, they decided to adapt it to the present generation to make it more relevant. The real-life Jose and his siblings now lead comfortable lives. Despite the hardships, they were able to send themselves to school and graduate. Jose is now a successful businessman and father to a nurse, a certified public accountant, and to an engineer. According to him, he and his siblings give back to their community by conducting feeding programs. "Nagtutulong-tulong kaming mag-anak para makatulong din kami sa mga mahihirap, in retun sa kabutihan ng Diyos sa amin," he said earlier. A memorable performance The cast of "Walang Iwanan" includes Boots Anson-Roa (Lola Ina), Ces Quesada (Lola Ebe), Irma Adlawan (Lydia), Joem Bascon (Roel), Roxanne Guinoo (Anita), Jhong Hilario (Kamlon), John Estrada (Manong Dado), and Beauty Gonzalez (Jane). It also stars promising child actors Louise Abuel (Jose), Micko Laurente (Boy), Raikko Mateo (Michael), Jon Michael (Crisencio), Karla Cruz (Maribel). The series, however, will be remembered as the comeback of Guinoo who earned praise for her performance as Anita, the mother of the Jose and wife of Kamlon. (READ: Roxanne Guinoo praised for 'Walang Iwanan') "Walang Iwanan" premiered on October 19. It will be replaced by "And I Love You So" starting Monday, December 7. (READ: What to expect in drama series 'And I Love You So')
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