I never thought I’d say this but I have been watching not one but two telenovela’s lately… o, ha! Sino ngayon ang makakapagsabi na hindi ako nanonood ng telenovela?

The first story is about Stefania, she was abducted from her family when she was a child, the perpetrators wanted to make money out of her so they tried to sell her but she resisted, she never ate, she did not communicate with them, a part of her died the day she was taken from her mother. Years passed and still she defied them, she must have figured that she didn’t have anything to live for. It’s a miracle they did not kill her.

Until one day, she was rescued from her captors, she was put in a place where she can relax and recuperate, and she needed all the help she could get. She was skinny and underweight, she was in her teens when she was rescued but her weight was like that of a child. She was adopted by a French doctor and his partner, Veronica, they gave her everything that she could possibly need but she was not responding. It seemed like the only thing she ever enjoyed was the nightly massage Veronica gave her every night to soothe the wounds and scars she got when she was still in captivity. The wounds on her skin were getting better and better each day but her wounds inside did not. After a year of trying to bring her back to life she finally responded, they didn’t have to force feed her anymore, she took all her vitamins without any struggle, she was cooperating, at last. So, the good doctor decided to bring her back to the place where she once lived, in Albuquerque, Mexico, it will surely help her, they thought.

The journey was long, even the Columbian government joined the group to ensure Stefania’s safe trip. When they arrived, a young man was waiting for her (eto na ang pinakahihintay ng lahat o baka ako lang… ang leading man!). He was young but definitely older than Stefania, not particularly handsome but he could be if you could find the right angle, oh, alright, who am I kidding, he’s good-looking. He had wavy hair, he had a slender and willowy body, his name was Umberto Pelizzare, I’m not really sure about his surname but it sure sounded like it. When Stefania arrived, he was waiting on the shore, I can tell that he was anxious to see her but, surprisingly, he did not approach her when they came ashore. Hmpf! pa-suplado pa sya!

Stefania was afraid, she did not like the place at all; maybe she had forgotten all about it, she was mote at home with the four corners of her room in the city. She was afraid of the vast and endless horizon in front of her.They were back to where they started. The couple was devastated, it looked like moving her to the place where she was born was a bad idea after all. Days passed and Stefania showed little progress until Umberto stepped in. “It’s about time,” I thought to myself, “masyado naman kasing pa-suplado ang drama ng leading man na ‘to eh!”

He was very gentle when he approached her; he wanted to touch her but opted to just look at her. Not a word was exchanged but they understood each other. It was like that for hours… he was very patient. The doctor and his wife were looking from afar. Suddenly, Stefania made the first move, she swam to the deeper part of the water, and she looked at him as if she wanted him to follow her. And he did. Everyone was teary-eyed, Stefania accepted his friendship. Umberto was ecstatic.

They swam for hours, he was a very good swimmer. He swam beside her, he swam on top of her but what Stefania liked the most was when Umberto was under her and touching her fragile and soft body. (Singit lang ako sandali… sobrang galing lumangoy ni Umberto! Naku pag nakita n’yo maiin-love kayo sigurado.)She was calm under the waves. She was at peace, she felt like she belonged, at last. But it didn’t last long, Umberto had to leave her behind, Umberto did not have to say a word it was written all over his face, although he cared deeply for Stefania, he’s got his eyes set on a new girl and he was going to pursue her in Panama. This other girl is not like Stefania, she’s carefree and independent, she did not need any help from anyone. She can take care of herself and her child. Oh, yes! She did have a child and Umberto did not mind. Umberto was willing to trade his relationship with Stefania to be with this new girl, no matter how fleeting the encounter might be. Hay… ang pag-ibig nga naman…

My second telenovela is about Jessica, this took place in South Africa. She was abandoned by her mother not because she didn’t love her but because she was afraid of her abusive and two-timing husband. She was afraid he’d kill Jessica so she abandoned her in a place where she was sure somebody will find her.

A couple did find Jessica, Tony and Shirley; they were both an environmentalist who chose to live in South Africa. From the moment Shirley set her eyes on Jes, she fell in love with her; they treated her like their own child. Everyone was telling them that they were raising Jessica wrongly, she’s a grown woman now and still she would not socialize with anyone, she was content living inside the compounds of their house and she particularly liked spending the whole day swimming in the river at the back of their house. She was a bit heavy. Tony and Shirley tried to tell her that but she will not listen, she wasn’t worried about her weight. She threw tantrums every time they talk about her weight.

Tony wanted Jessica to find a boyfriend for Jessica; he was obsessed by the idea of it. Sometimes he’d roam the village trying to find a possible male who could make Jessica’s heart flutter. Ha-ha-ha!!! He only wanted to make Jessica socialize just like the others; he’d always say trying to justify his actions.Shirley didn’t like the idea at first but she eventually saw that Tony’s idea could be a great help for Jes.

One afternoon while the family was lazing around the river side, they saw a stout young man swimming on their river, he probably got lost, they thought. Shirley did not give him much attention but Tony was excited, this boy could be the one they’ve been waiting for. This could be the boy for their dear Jessica. His name was Charlie; they could tell that he was interested with Jessica because after the afternoon that he got lost in their river, he never stopped visiting them. Sometimes he’d come by at night when Charlie thought that they were all sleeping, he’d creep around the house and look for Jes. But Jessica was not interested with Charlie, she ignored him. She’d rather eat and hang with his dad than spend the day with Charlie. Jessica did not say a word but her actions were very clear. Charlie was distraught. He felt hopeless. He was heartbroken. No words could ever describe how he felt except he felt like dying.

Charlie did not show up for days… and then weeks, Tony and Shirley were worried but they did not know where to look for Charlie, they didn’t know where he lived. Jessica didn’t seem affected at all; all she ever did was eat. Maybe she missed him; after all, she’s just too shy to admit it even to herself and it all manifested through her increased appetite.

One day, Tony went to the market to buy fresh vegetables when he heard about a young male killed by a farmer. He was trespassing they told Tony, that’s why the farmer killed him. Nobody knew who the young male was so they took a picture of him, lying dead, swimming in his own blood and all. Tony took a good look at the picture; he trembled when he realized that it was Charlie. He felt anger, he felt his knees weaken. When he got home he showed the picture to Shirley without saying a word. She took a good at look at it and then cried. He was so young; he was just starting to live. It was so unfair to have his life taken away by an ignorant farmer who didn’t know any better. They haven’t told Jessica yet, they’re not sure if she’d understand it.

Hindi patapos ang teleserye ng buhay nila, mabuti na lang maganda pa rin ang schedule ng pasok ko sa office, hahaha!!! Mapapanood ko pa rin sila linggo-linggo. Teka, sino ba niloloko ko?! Sawang-sawa na akong gumising ng maaga!!! Grr…

And, I probably should mention that the two stories happened in real life. They’re true stories. And that Stefania is a dolphin, the other girl is a Humpback whale and Umberto is a real man (buti na lang).

Jessica and Charlie are hippos