Now, Andi Eigenmann was chosen by the Kapamilya network to portray the role of Agua Bendita. It is a tough role for her. I remembered that I used to watch Komiks Presents Agua Bendita by Shaina Magdayao. I believe that this new version of this show is not just a love story but with fantasy oriented from the Cebuano folk religiosity.
I used to have a nanny when I was a kid and she is from Cebu. She acquainted me with the Cebuano folk religion. When this show has its first preview, I already familiar with its culture context, especially the setting of the show is in Cebu, Philippines.
As I remembered, their previous show May Bukas Pa tells about the Catholic faith – the strong faith in God. I am also a Roman Catholic. On the other hand, this show Agua Bendita emphasize more on the Cebuano folk religion that connotes to superstitions. I have no against with Filipino folk religion. But, I hope that this would not affect what values that the Kapamilya station would like to imply to the viewers since their former show May Bukas Pa won the biggest ratings and the hearts of the masses whose faith in God has been strengthen.
Summary:
Dr. Cristi is a good doctor who only wants best for his family and he really loves his wife Mercedes. Mercedes was pregnant at that time but she has a weak heart so there is a 50-50 chances of survival. There is a strange happening to her when she started to have cravings for holy water. Then, Dr. Cristi met Criselda, a poor woman with epilepsy who is always maltreated by her husband Baldo. Criselda is looking for her uncle who is former priest. She said that her uncle can heal miraculously using the agua bendita or holy water. Before Padre Gido, Criselda’s uncle, died, he left the holy water to Dr. Cristi to give it to his poor niece who is suffering from epilepsy. On the other hand, Dr. Cristi has no choice but to let his wife who is in critical condition drink the holy water so she and the twins in her womb can survive. In the result, one of the twin was cursed by the miraculous holy water. She is a half-human and half-liquid. She can only survives by floating in the water. Dr. Cristi kept this secret from his wife and the other twin Bendita until Dona Amalia, his mother-in-law, was accusing him that he has a love affair with Criselda.
The town people discovered about Agua, who was cursed by the agua bendita or the holy water. They thought he is a monster that would conquer their town someday so they tried to kill her. Fortunately, the good father Dr. Marcial Cristi is protecting her.
Agua, the half-human and half-liquid, has a gift like the miraculous holy water. She can cure any illnesses using her tears from her eyes. Bendita grew envy of her twin sister Agua because she thought that Agua got the full attention of their parents.
Conclusion:
I am continuously watching this show and find the young actress who is portraying the young Agua and Bendita fascinating. I found that sibling rivalry is normal to the two characters. The character Agua is like Santino in May Bukas Pa who always seeks refuge from God’s strength during the times when she is sad. I am looking forward to see the grown up characters Agua and Bendita and how the lead actress Andi Eigennman portray the two different characters. I also know that she is also a good actress. The child actress Xyriel Manabat who portrayed the two characters Agua and Bendita have a great impact to the masses especially who have strong conviction in the Catholic faith. Despite of some features on the superstitious beliefs of the Cebuanos, the show still implied the strong faith in God and good Filipino values.
