Remembering ‘Iisa Pa Lamang’

At any given time, I am hooked to one, just one, teleserye. Right now, it’s Imortal. Before that, it was Magkaribal. And as I was looking back, trying to remember other teleseryes that got my eyes glued to the boobtube (Tayong Dalawa, Maging Sino Ka Man, Lobo, Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay, Kung Mawawala Ka, Pangako Sa’Yo), I felt like I missed something. I spent minutes trying to figure it out and at last it dawned on me.

It’s been over two years since the conclusion of teleserye Iisa Pa Lamang. It wouldn’t be on my list of the best drama series but it is definitely one of the most unforgettable. This show caught the attention of many for the great performances of its cast. It was Gabby Concepcion’s first teleserye and Claudine Barretto’s comeback.

But more than the cast, I think what really made this program successful was its writing. Although the plot was cliche and formulaic, the lines were such a breath of fresh air on Philippine TV. They were witty and really hard-hitting. It was one of those shows in which I did not care about what would happen in the story but I was always looking forward to what the characters had to say.

Three women ruled the cast — Claudine Barretto, Angelica Panganiban and Cherry Pie Picache. Since Iisa Pa Lamang closed, a lot had happened to these three great actresses. Claudine switched networks and is now with GMA7. Cherry Pie got more and more interesting roles. Angelica Panganiban proved to be one of the most versatile actresses in the industry, paving the way for her first lead role Rubi. She even won Best Villain for this role.

Anyway, here are some of the most memorable lines from Iisa Pa Lamang. Starting with this scene in which Katherine (Claudine) and Scarlet (Angelica) is having a catfight. Thank God the rift between Angelica and Claudine in real life didn’t come to something like this! One YouTuber put some “bekimon” subtitles. Really funny.


Scarlet: Anak ako. Dugo’t laman.
Katherine: Anak ka lang. Asawa nya ‘ko. Lahat ng pag-aari ni Martin, pagaari ko na ngayon.
Scarlet: You’re just a gold digger in red! Damn you!
Katherine: Same to you, anak. Same to you.


Scarlet: Pati ba naman sa pagsuswimming, naka-diamonds ka pa rin?
Katherine: Siyempre, diamonds are forever, like me!


Scarlet: Gusto ko lang malaman mo na lahat nang ‘to, hindi ‘to permanente. Lahat nang iyan, babawiin ko iyan sa ‘yo!
Katherine: Sige! Maglaro tayo, agawan ng yaman! Pero kung ako sa’yo, kakabahan ako, kasi ako sanay sa hirap. Eh ikaw?


Scarlet: Sinungaling ka, Katherine. Sabi mo dati, ‘Sige, maglaro tayo. Agawan ng yaman.’ Pero iniwan mo saken ang yaman. pero inagaw mo lahat. Ang ama ko. Ang asawa ko. Ang ama ng anak ko.


Scarlet: Luluhod ka sa harapan ko at magmamakaawa ka na tanggapin kita ulit!
Miguel: Kumain ka na. Gutom lang yan!


Isadora: Oh aren’t you excited to see me?
Scarlet: Excited? Alam mo bang mas excited pa akong magpunta ng dentista at mag pa root canal kesa ang makaharap ka?
Isadora: Ikaw naman, nagpapaka-funny. Kung ang lahat ng bulok na ngipin ay kasing ganda ko, o di wala ng bibili ng toothpaste… I’m so witty
Scarlet: Ano ba talagang pakay mo? I’m sure hindi naman ang kapakanan ng dental industry ang pinunta mo dito di ba? Business? Monkey business?
Isadora: Oo, at napaka disenteng monkey business — Politics.


Isadora: Ano ba Katherine, wala na akong panahon makipag-balagtasan sayo. Tapos na ang linggo ng wika! Hindi ka ba naabisuhan?


Katherine: Pagod ako. Huwag kang loloko-loko. Baka gusto mo ihampas ko tong bag kong mas mahal pa sa’yo!
Isadora: Sabagay, ako rin eh, pagod makipaghampasan. Next time, ok? In fairness ah, ang ganda ng damit mo. Pahiram minsan ha.


Isadora: Dumi ka lang sa paningin ko, Aura!
Aura (Susan Roces): Tandaan mo, ang duming ito ang balang araw pupuwing sayo!
Isadora: “(short pause, mataray look) E ‘di magshi-shades ako!?


Isadora to her maids, who have just notified their Agency that they had not received their wages: Ah laglagan pala tayo dito. Baka nakakalimutan nyo, kung hindi dahil sa akin, hindi ka makakatikim ng corned beef


How about you? What is your all-time favorite teleserye?

Comments

  1. Martha Cecilias collection fave ko tlaga… Watching it now on tv is great but they cant do all things written on the book its more intense & soo romantic… it makes u dream ur there..

  2. Makabili nga ng copy ng show na eto, meron naman na da ba? Haha.. sa commercial ko lang mostly napapanood ung mga scenes, kinase. Ala kasi ako TV sa apt nung panahong pinalabas ‘to sa abscbn. Korni much ako.

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