November 27 ------ Congratulations are already in order for the series' leads, Eddys 2024 Best Actress Julia Montes and breakout child discovery Zia, who is the title's namesake. Julia understatedly stars as Anna, a teacher struggling with her own feelings of isolation. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she decides to take action to help Grace (Zia) who delivers a very natural and gripping performance a seemingly cheerful student who frequently arrives at school hungry and battered.
As questions from the school authorities, as well as Anna, begin to escalate regarding her state, Grace fabricates stories to protect her widowed mother, who refuses to acknowledge she is abused, and her alcoholic live-in partner, who is responsible for hurting Grace. "It's not easy to tell this story because, in the narrative, the characters are trapped in a situation of poverty — not just materially, but emotionally," Direk FM rightly acknowledged, all the more grateful that they chose the right actors to bring this challenge to life. Besides Julia and Zia, the compelling series features a stellar ensemble cast, led no less by Mega Star Sharon Cuneta with Sam Milby, Jennica Garcia, Sophia Reola and Janice de Belen, among others.
In a heartfelt address at the celebrity and media preview of "Saving Grace," — ABS-CBN's latest production for streaming platform Prime Video — director FM Reyes set the tone for the highly anticipated series, underscoring its mission to bring social issues often left in the shadows to light. "Saving Grace" is the Filipino adaptation of Nippon TV's award-winning Japanese drama "Mother." A poignant exploration of a mother's unconditional love, the series zooms in on the harrowing realities of child abuse, poverty, and the emotional toll of societal neglect. "Mother" remains the record holder of the most globally adapted Asian scripted format, counting 11 to date. Besides the Philippines, versions have been produced in South Korea, Turkey, Ukraine, Thailand, China, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Mongolia and Greece.
With the Philippines effectively contributing to the legacy of this Japanese series, Reyes opened his speech by tackling an inevitable question. "Many ask why this adaptation was necessary when Filipinos excel at creating original stories ourselves," he began. "It is our little contribution to putting these ills to the front because when you look around, you still see many children selling sampaguita [jasmine garlands] and young boys carrying sacks of rice and grain in markets." With such scenes becoming increasingly common in Filipino life, Reyes explained that a story like "Saving Grace" can serve as a wake-up call to remind society that these problems have not disappeared and urgently need action.
The director also reflected on modern disconnections, noting how social media, which is meant to unite people, often isolates them. Families may sit together at dinner, yet children remain glued to their phones. "This one is a deeper form of poverty rooted in neglect and disconnection," the director added. These struggles, Reyes emphasized, are at the heart of "Saving Grace," where he is proud to say his sterling cast delivers a journey that not only tells a story but also offers valuable lessons for the audience to learn from. If the series' pilot is anything to go on, we can bet on a truly powerful series that, as Reyes hopes, will open eyes to the harsh realities of neglect and abuse and ultimately spark both reflection and action.
Source: manilatimes.net
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