Got to Believe


Got to Believe is a 2013 Philippine romantic comedy-drama television series directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. The series was aired on ABS-CBN and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from August 26, 2013 to March 7, 2014, replacing Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala. The series finale, dubbed as the Best Ending Ever, was ranked #1 by Kantar Media nationwide TV rating.

Synopsis

Season 1

As young Chichay unexpectedly met young Joaquin in their family-owned amusement fair, she taught him to believe that magic exists. However, their friendship abruptly ended as Chichay's family moved to the province while Joaquin had an almost-fatal accident which prevented him from living a normal life. Ten years later, they have literally bumped into each other but never had any idea about their childhood past.
Despite living a comfortable and wealthy life, teenage Joaquin feels he is different due to his brain injury. His overprotective mother, Juliana, unknowingly hired teenage Chichay as his nanny. The two that had started off having an unpleasant relationship with each other eventually became friends. As they found comfort in each other's company, they learned various lessons in life such as the true meaning of friendship, of standing by your family, and of accepting one's self. While their feelings blossomed into love, things also got complicated and had put them to the test as they encountered numerous conflicts like their parents' past, their economic gap and the cause of Joaquin's accident when he was still a kid.

Season 2

The second season began with the episode aptly entitled "The New Chapter", which takes place two years after the events of the first season with both lead characters already living a different life respectively. New challenges and additional conflicts occur for most of the characters while the major plot from the previous season unravels to the storyline. Extensively used to promote the show was the tagline -- "The heart remembers what the mind forgets."
Alex was a major addition to the cast in a pivotal role. It also marks that the series was filmed and used Singapore on some of its episodes having Chichay and Joaquin on several tourist spots in the country.

Cast and characters

Main cast

  • Kathryn Bernardo as Christina Carlota "Chichay" Tampipi
  • Daniel Padilla as Joaquin "Wacky Boy" San Juan Manansala
  • Manilyn Reynes as Elizabeth "Betchay / Teddy Bear / Mama Bear" Tampipi
  • Ian Veneracion as Jaime "Bunny Bear" Manansala
  • Benjie Paras as Chito "Papa Bear" Tampipi
  • Carmina Villaroel as Juliana San Juan-Manansala

    Supporting cast

  • Joonee Gamboa as Francisco "Lolo Isko" Tampipi
  • Chinggoy Alonzo† as Ronaldo San Juan
  • Minnie Aguilar as Matilda Cristobal-Pantoja
  • Lou Veloso as Mang During Pantoja
  • Al Tantay as Tatay Poro
  • Thara Jordana as Emma
  • Janice Jurado as Rona Manansala
  • Nina Ricci Alagao as Gigi Galvez
  • Beverly Salviejo as Tarantina
  • Cecil Paz as Madam Fifi
  • Hyubs Azarcon as Whitey
  • Ethyl Osorio as Ethel
  • Benjamin Domingo as Bubbles
  • Darwin "Hap Rice" Tolentino as Nanoy
  • Mhyco Aquino as Jericho "Jec-Jec" Manansala
  • Irma Adlawan as Yaya Puring
  • Ping Medina as Asiong

    Recurring cast

  • Isabel Granada† as Tessa Velasquez-Zaragosa
  • Jojo A. as George Zaragosa
  • Alexander Diaz as Kristoffer "Kit" Rosales
  • as Pique Nazareno
  • Luke Conde as Michael "Mik" Sajone
  • Kristel Fulgar as Editha "Didith" Pantoja
  • Trina "Hopia" Legaspi as Lindsay Bernal
  • Angeli Gonzales as Miley Rodriguez Handcuff
  • Jon Lucas as Dominic Zaragosa
  • Yves Flores as Pedro
  • Miguel Morales as Miguel
  • Joy Viado† as Prof. Henrietta Ilagan Velasco
  • Niña Dolino as Professor Aira Jean
  • Chienna Filomeno as Amanda Lopez
  • Rolando Inocencio as Dean Chuppongco
  • Jess Mendoza as Anthony "Tinyong"
  • Ingrid dela Paz as Patricia Reyes
  • Liza Soberano as Alexa "Alex" Rodriguez
  • Zild Benitez as Joaquin's Schoolmate
  • Michael V. as NBI Agent

    Guest cast

  • Kyle Banzon as young Joaquin/Ryan Manansala
  • Bianca Bentulan as young Chichay Tampipi
  • Bobby Andrews as Rodrigo San Juan
  • Ya Chang as Nanny Agency Manager
  • Lilia Cuntapay† as Yaya Liling
  • Emmanuelle Vera as Marga
  • Ryan Boyce as Jerver
  • Manuel Chua as Mr. Funye
  • Ronnie Magsanoc as Coach Frank
  • Jeron Teng as Allen Chua
  • Atoy Co as Coach Atoy
  • Tetchie Agbayani as Madam Lucille
  • Paolo Serrano as Armand Pantay
  • Marissa Sanchez as Dean Leonora Pura
  • Christopher De Leon as Dominic's uncle
  • Minco Fabregas as Attorney Sarabia
  • A.G. Saño as A.G.
  • Kitkat as Betty
  • Lloyd Samartino as Alex's father
  • Lassy Marquez as himself
  • Negi as himself

    Production

Premiere

Initially, Got to Believe was originally planned to be premiered back-to-back with Muling Buksan ang Puso on July 8, 2013, replacing Apoy sa Dagat and Missing You. But due to the request of Koreanovela fans, the series was later postponed because of That Winter, the Wind Blows. After the delayed airing, the series aired on August 26, 2013 replacing Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala.

Casting

This Kapamilya series is a reunion project of 80's generation actresses Manilyn Reynes, Isabel Granada and Carmina Villaroel alongside teen idols Benjie Paras, Jojo A. and Ian Veneracion.

Music

The theme song, "Got to Believe in Magic", written by Charles Fox & Stephen Geyer, was originally sung by American singer David Pomeranz as a soundtrack for the 1982 film Zapped!. It was later included in his compilation album, Born for You: His Best and More that was released on July 19, 1999. The album was recorded in the Philippines and co-produced by Pomeranz with Filipino composer Lorrie Ilustre. The song was a popular hit within the country during the time of the album's release. It was also covered by Filipino band Side A and was used as a theme song for the 2002 Filipino romance film Got 2 Believe.
Another song which was a success, especially in the Philippines, was "Ikaw Na Na Na" sung by G2B Boys.
Due to the song's previous usage in the film, director Cathy Garcia-Molina clarified that the television drama is completely different. The rendition featured within the show is sung by Filipina singer Juris.

Reception

Ratings

Fanbase and merchandise

Due to the series' high popularity, it gained a fan base called G2B Army. The series also started releasing different Got to Believe merchandises like covers for tablets, hoodies, and shirts thru B.U.M. Equipment.

International broadcast

Reruns

Reruns of the show's episodes air on Jeepney TV.
On March 18, 2020, ABS-CBN announced that Got to Believe will have a rerun starting March 23, 2020 via the network's Kapamilya Gold afternoon block, replacing Sandugo which has recently wrapped up, as part of ABS-CBN's temporary programming changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This rerun was abruptly cut due to the temporary closure of ABS-CBN following the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on account of its franchise expiration.