The Legal Wife

Not to be confused with Legal Wives.

The Legal Wife
Title card
Genre	Melodrama Family drama Romance Revenge Tragedy
Created by	ABS-CBN Studios Henry King Quitain Jay Fernando
Written by	Ronalisa Co Reign Andre Loleng Generiza Reyes Moonlight
Directed by	Rory B. Quintos Dado C. Lumibao
Creative director	Johnny delos Santos
Starring	Angel Locsin Jericho Rosales Maja Salvador JC de Vera
Opening theme	"Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin" by Angeline Quinto [1]
Composer	Willy Cruz
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	Tagalog
No. of episodes	98
Production
Executive producer	Sackey Prince-Pendatun
Editors	Joy Buenaventura Ayen del Carmen-Gulang John Ryan Bonifacio
Running time	30–45 minutes Monday - Friday at 21:15 (PST)
Production company	Star Creatives
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	January 27 (2014-01-27) – June 13, 2014 (2014-06-13)

The Legal Wife is a 2014 Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Rory B. Quintos and Dado C. Lumibao, ^[2] it stars Angel Locsin, Jericho Rosales, Maja Salvador and JC de Vera. ^[2] It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line up and worldwide on TFC from January 27 to June 13, 2014, replacing Maria Mercedes and was replaced by Sana Bukas Pa ang Kahapon . ^{[3] [4]}

The series is streaming online on YouTube. ^[5]

Plot

The story follows the lives of two best friends, Monica Santiago (Angel Locsin) and Nicole Esquivel (Maja Salvador). Friends from childhood, both yearn for a father's love.

Monica's mother Eloisa (Rio Locsin) escapes a controlling, jealous and violent husband but is only able to take her baby daughter. Her two sons were left behind. They are saved from the streets by her childhood sweetheart Dante Ramos (Mark Gil) who brings them to Daet, Camarines Norte, a beautiful province in the northern region of the Philippines. Dante raises Monica as if she were his child. Meanwhile, Dante leaves his girlfriend Camille Esquivel for Eloisa, unaware that she is pregnant with Nicole. All throughout her childhood, Nicole longs to meet her father.

When Monica turns 7, her mother returns to her husband as she longs to be reunited with her sons. Monica is bewildered by a whole new environment with her wealthy father Javier (Christopher de Leon), and her two brothers Javi (Joem Bascon) and Jasper (Ahron Villena).

When Camille passes away, Nicole is adopted by her landed industrialist and wealthy grandfather, Don Eduardo Esquievel. The two little girls meet during interscholastic intramurals. They learn that they share the same "father" and lose him due to unforeseen circumstances in their lives. They become fast friends and bond like orphaned sisters, remaining close throughout their adult lives.

Upon returning to her true family, Monica learns to love her real father and her two brothers. Her Papa, Don Joaquin loves Eloisa, forgives his wife and is kinder to her. Eloisa reciprocates wholeheartedly and learns to love and care for Joaquin. Her feelings for Dante fade away.

Despite their painful past, the Santiago family thrives. Don Joaquin is a wealthy sardines magnate. Unfortunately, Eloisa's past mistakes is traumatic for the two older children she left behind years ago, deeply wounding the family's psyche, particularly her eldest son Javie who rejects his relationship with his mother and his sister Monica.

Nicole suffers a similar trauma growing up without her father, severely affecting her attitude towards men, constantly seeking love and validation from the wrong men. The two best friends' relationship collide when they love the same man.

Monica meets and falls in love with Adrian (Jericho Rosales), the man she marries, who teaches her how to love again and who will also break her heart.

Despite being madly in love with his wife, the pressures brought about on their lives, arising from the dynamics of their respective families' dysfunctional relationships, Adrian is drawn to his wife's best friend and embarks on an illicit affair with Nicole. Nicole is deeply enamored of her best friend's husband who gives her the care and attention she seeks. She risks her life long friendship with Monica.

The discovery of the affair is explosive. The consequences of Adrian's affair and deception, love and lust, is vividly portrayed in the entire series.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Angel Locsin portrays Monica "Ikay" Santiago-de Villa.

Maja Salvador portrays Nicole Esquivel.

JC de Vera portrays Max Gonzales

• Angel Locsin as Monica "Ikay" Santiago-de Villa
• Jericho Rosales as Adrian de Villa
• Maja Salvador as Nicole Esquivel
• JC de Vera as Max Gonzales

Supporting cast

• Christopher de Leon as Javier Santiago, Sr.
• Rio Locsin as Eloisa Santiago
• Mark Gil† as Dante Ramos
• Maria Isabel Lopez as Sandra de Villa
• Joem Bascon as Javier "Javi" Santiago. Jr.
• Ahron Villena as Jasper Santiago
• Janus del Prado as Bradley
• Matet de Leon as Rowena
• Gabriel Sumalde as "Bunjoy" S. de Villa (age 5)
• Louise Abuel as "Bunjoy" S. de Villa (age 10)

Extended cast

• Bernard Palanca as Miguel Zapanta
• Joe Vargas as Andrew de Villa
• Pamu Pamorada as Trish de Villa
• Leo Rialp as Eduardo "Gramps" Esquivel+
• Odette Khan as Yaya Krising
• Pinky Marquez as Mam Emma
• Michael Flores as Bob Rivera
• Thou Reyes as Jon
• Dionne Monsanto as Rhea
• Zeppi Borromeo as Anton
• Carla Humphries as Audrey
• Frenchie Dy as Kelly
• Sonjia Calit as Gwen

Guest cast

• Bugoy Cariño as young Jasper
• Casey De Silvia as young Nicole
• Xyriel Manabat as young Monica
• Aaron Junatas as young Javi
• James Blanco as young Javier
• Neri Naig as young Eloisa
• Matt Evans as young Dante
• Dang Cruz as young Yaya Krising
• Junjun Nayra as Atty. Hector Vargas
• Ricardo Cepeda as Manuel Gonzales

Production

Prior to the official airing of the show, its working titles were originally known as Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin, ^[6] and as Langis at Tubig. ^[7] Jake Cuenca and Andi Eigenmann was originally part of the main cast, ^[8] but was replaced by JC de Vera and Maja Salvador. Cuenca left to join Ikaw Lamang . Paulo Avelino was also reported to be part of the series but later backed out for personal reasons (and to join Honesto & Bridges of Love). ^[9] Avelino was later replaced by Jericho Rosales. ^[10]

Filming of the series began in October 2013. ^[11]

Scheduling

The Legal Wife was originally planned to air on October 28, 2013. ^[12] It was later pushed back to November 2013 and was set to replace Bukas na Lang Kita Mamahalin . But due to the request of Koreanovela fans and taping conflicts because of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda), the airing was postponed because of Korean drama When a Man Falls in Love . ^{[2] [13]} Eventually, the series had its pilot episode broadcast last January 27, 2014 as part of ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida block. Initially, the series was supposed to replace When a Man Falls in Love , but later ends up taking over the timeslot vacated by Maria Mercedes due to the demanding request of Koreanovela fans. ^{[14] [15]}

Reception

Critical reception

Prior to the official airing of the television series, ABS-CBN launched several teasers of the show. One was the slapping scene between Angel Locsin and Maja Salvador's characters aired on January 1, 2014. The trailer was well received and went even viral all over the web, creating parodies and memes. ^[16]

Since the first episode, the show became a hot topic online and even trended on Twitter worldwide. ^[17]

Television ratings

Basing on the data gathered by Kantar Media, the pilot episode earned 21.1% of national viewership, making it the 5th most watched primetime program. It is the first drama on Philippine television to win in its late primetime slot in the ratings in all of its episodes. ^[18] The finale of The Legal Wife scored its biggest nationwide rating of 36.2%. This currently stands as the country's highest rating by any TV show on late primetime since the Philippines switched to nationwide TV ratings system in 2009.

Media	Pilot	Finale	Rating	Rank		Source
				Timeslot	Primetime
Kantar Media	January 27, 2014	June 13, 2014	21.0%/36.2%	#1/#1	#5/#1	[19]
AGB Nielsen			23.9%/32%	#1/#1	#4/#1	[20]

Theme song

The theme song Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin? was originally performed by Sharon Cuneta and served as the theme song for the 1996 film Madrasta , which also starred Cuneta alongside Zsa Zsa Padilla and Christopher de Leon. The film was produced by Star Cinema. It was covered by Angeline Quinto and it was used as the theme song for the TV series.

Reruns

Reruns of the show's episodes aired on Jeepney TV from March 14 to June 14, 2016; June 10, 2017 to January 14, 2018; August 12 to October 17, 2019; and July 17, 2021 to March 19, 2022. ^[21]

On March 18, 2020, ABS-CBN announced that the show would be rerun beginning March 23, 2020 via the network's Kapamilya Gold afternoon block, taking over the timeslot of Love Thy Woman , which had finished airing it's pre-taped episodes, as part of ABS-CBN's temporary programming changes due to the enhanced community quarantine caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. ^[22] This rerun was originally supposed to end on May 15, 2020. ^[23]

However, it was abruptly cut due to the closure of ABS-CBN's free-to-air stations following the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on account of its franchise expiration. ^[24]

International adaptation

• Due to its phenomenal success, the series had an adaptation in Malaysia titled Isteri Halal which aired on Malaysian TV channel Astro Ria from February 27 to June 2, 2023. ^{[25] [26]}

See also

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
• List of ABS-CBN Studios original drama series
• List of programs broadcast by Jeepney TV

References

1. "Angeline Quinto wows with 'Legal Wife' theme song". ABS-CBN News. January 15, 2014. Archived from the original on March 9, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
2. Kristhoff Cagape (October 25, 2013). "'The Legal Wife 'is ABS-CBN's newest primetime offering". Push. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
3. "The Legal Wife casts". abs-cbn.com. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
4. "Truth calms intense filled Maria Mercedes finale". ABS-CBN News. January 25, 2014. Archived from the original on July 3, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
5. The Legal Wife Full Episodes. YouTube . ABS-CBN Entertainment. Retrieved December 8, 2024.
6. "Maja Salvador says her new soap with Angel Locsin and Jericho Rosales is a big step in her career". Push. June 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 31, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
7. "After 'Imortal,' Angel excited about new soap". ABS-CBN News. October 13, 2013. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
8. Miguel Dumaual (July 11, 2013). "'Mira Bella' and 6 upcoming Kapamilya soaps". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on July 17, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
9. "Why did Paulo Avelino back out of series with Angel?". ABS-CBN News. September 19, 2013. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
10. Christine Denny (October 3, 2013). "Jericho Rosales wins acting award in Guam; he will have Angel Locsin, Maja Salvador as co-stars in next project". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
11. "Jericho to begin taping for new soap next week". ABS-CBN News. October 9, 2013. Archived from the original on October 11, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
12. "Is it over for Angel, Phil Younghusband?". ABS-CBN News. October 21, 2013. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
13. Vinia Vivar (October 29, 2013). "Maja pinairal ang propesyonalismo kaya tinanggap ang kabit na role". The Philippine Star . Retrieved April 1, 2014.
14. Chuck Smith (January 21, 2014). "Marian: No rivalry with Angel over competing shows". The Philippine Star . Archived from the original on February 26, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
15. Nestor U. Torre (January 31, 2014). "It's a date". Philippine Daily Inquirer . Archived from the original on March 31, 2014. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
16. Miguel Dumaual (January 8, 2014). "Angel-Maja slapping scene generates meme". ABS-CBN News. Archived from the original on January 20, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
17. "'The Legal Wife' pilot creates Twitter buzz". ABS-CBN News. January 28, 2014. Archived from the original on February 7, 2014. Retrieved March 30, 2014.
18. http://www.starmometer/2014/06/16/the-legal-wife-ends-at-no-1-nationwide/%5B‍%5D
19. Mark Angelo Ching (February 14, 2014). "Kantar Media-TNS Total Philippines Household Ratings (January 25-31, 2014): Buzz ng Bayan triumphs on Sunday daytime block". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
20. Mark Angelo Ching (February 12, 2014). "AGB Nielsen Mega Manila Household Ratings (January 24-31, 2014): The Legal Wife pilot lands on 4th place while Carmela lands on 7th place". Philippine Entertainment Portal. Archived from the original on 2014-04-29. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
21. "Schedule". Cable Channels.ABS-CBN . Retrieved March 31, 2020.
22. "'The Legal Wife' at 'Got To Believe', muling magbabalik". ABS-CBN News. March 18, 2020. Archived from the original on March 25, 2020. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
23. "The Legal Wife down to 2 weeks". Twitter. Archived from the original on 2020-05-09. Retrieved 2021-03-20.
24. Rivas, Ralf (May 5, 2020). "ABS-CBN goes off-air after NTC order". Rappler. Archived from the original on May 5, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
25. "Malaysia's remake of 'Legal Wife' enjoys high ratings". ABS-CBN News. 15 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.
26. De Castro, Isagani Jr. (14 July 2023). "GMA exports 'Lolong' to Indonesia; ABS-CBN's 'The Legal Wife' a hit in Malaysia". Rappler. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2023.

External links

• The Legal Wife at IMDb