Agua Bendita

Agua Bendita (lit. 'holy water') is a 2010 Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Directed by Malu L. Sevilla, Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV, Don M. Cuaresma, and Jojo A. Saguin, it stars Andi Eigenmann in the title role.^[1][2][3][4] Other co-stars include Matteo Guidicelli, Jason Abalos, Vina Morales, John Estrada, Pilar Pilapil, Alessandra De Rossi, Dimples Romana, Carlos Agassi, Pen Medina, Malou Crisologo, Jayson Gainza, Malou de Guzman, Bing Loyzaga, Zaijian Jaranilla, and Zoren Legaspi. It aired on the network's Primetime Bida line-up and worldwide on TFC from February 8 to September 3, 2010, replacing May Bukas Pa and was replaced by 1DOL.

Agua Bendita
Title card
Genre	Fantasy Christian drama
Created by	ABS-CBN Studios Rod Santiago
Developed by	ABS-CBN Studios Liwayway Komiks
Directed by	Malu L. Sevilla Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV Don M. Cuaresma Jojo A. Saguin
Starring	Andi Eigenmann[a]
Theme music composer	Rey Valera
Opening theme	"Malayo Pa ang Umaga" by Aria Clemente and Vina Morales
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	Filipino Cebuano
No. of episodes	147 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Carlina D. Dela Merced
Production locations	Loyola Grand Villas, Quezon City San Quintin, Pangasinan Mandaue, Cebu Province Cebu City Cogon Pardo, Cebu City Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong Pasay Morong, Bataan
Running time	30-45 minutes
Production company	Dreamscape Entertainment
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	February 8 (2010-02-08) – September 3, 2010 (2010-09-03)

Overview

Main article: List of Agua Bendita episodes and chapters

Agua Bendita was a comic created by Rod Santiago^[5] in the 1980s. It was published by Liwayway Comics and adapted on television through the series, Komiks first aired in 2006 and again during Holy Week 2007, with two-part episodes in Season 1 starring Shaina Magdayao as Agua/Bendita and Rayver Cruz as Ronnie.

Agua Bendita was launched as one of the ABS-CBN's offerings for the 60th Celebration of Filipino Soap Opera ("Ika-60 taon ng Pinoy Soap Opera"), during the ABS-CBN Trade Launch for the first quarter of 2010, titled "Bagong Simula" (New Beginning).^[6]

Agua Bendita was later re-aired on Jeepney TV after its initial broadcast.

In observance of the Lenten season, Agua Bendita had its encore telecast on Maundy Thursday (April 1, 2010), Good Friday (April 2, 2010), and on Black Saturday (April 3, 2010) at 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm as part of ABS-CBN's Holy Week presentation.

The 3-part marathon special had ratings of "35% on Maundy Thursday, 26.1% on Good Friday, and 25.7% on Black Saturday".^[7]

Year		Chapter numbers	No. of chapters	Chapter numbers (with episode numbers)	No. of episodes (each chapter numbers)	No. of episodes (overall)	First aired (by chapter)	Last aired (by chapter)	First aired (overall)	Last aired (overall)
	2010	Prologue	1	Prologue (1–2)	2	147	February 8, 2010	February 9, 2010	February 8, 2010	September 3, 2010
		1	1	1 (3–15)	13		February 10, 2010	February 26, 2010
		1–3	3	1 (16–37)	22		March 1, 2010	March 30, 2010
				2 (38–89)	52		March 31, 2010	June 15, 2010
				3 (90–122)	33		June 16, 2010	July 30, 2010
		3–4	2	3 (123)	1		August 2, 2010
				4 (124–147)	24		August 3, 2010	September 3, 2010
		Epilogue	1	Epilogue (147)	1		September 3, 2010

Plot

Desperate to save his wife from having a miscarriage, Marcial steals Father Guido's agua bendita, which is intended to cure an epileptic Criselda. He manages to save his wife and their babies, but one of their daughters is born with an unexplainable physical defect.^[8]

Cast and characters

Main cast

Cast	Character	Summary
Andi Eigenmann[9] / Xyriel Manabat (young)	Agua Cristi and Bendita Cristi	Agua was born with an unexplainable physical defect: she can heal people with tears in grief. The Bida Kontrabida. Bendita is the physically normal but insecure twin, who feels that her parents concentrate of Agua as a result of her disability, leaving little for Bendita. She struggles with her jealousy but in the end learns to be humble and to love her twin sister.
Matteo Guidicelli / Bugoy Cariño (young)	Ronnie Aguirre	Ronnie met Agua when they were children, but when they met as young adults he was blind; without knowing Agua's real identity, Ronnie learned to love her for her personality. His mother was a maid from a rich Italian family who got impregnated by the owner's son. To cover the shame, Ronnie's father left them penniless with only a house. He is Agua's love interest, favoring her more than Bendita, due to the former's kind and naive nature.
Jason Abalos[10] / Maliksi Morales (young)	Paculdo "Paco" Barrameda	Paco the poor son of Criselda and Baldo, often called "Tod" when he was young. He met the twins when he saved their lives on separate occasions. Tasked by his mother to bring her Agua in order to be freed from her disorder, he often works different jobs which would lead him to the Cristi's during which he begins to pity Agua. He later becomes Bendita's love interest after being completely rejected by Ronnie.

Supporting cast

Cast	Character	Summary
Vina Morales[11]	Mercedes Montenegro-Cristi	Agua and Bendita's mother, who caused Agua's disability by drinking holy water when she was pregnant.
John Estrada	Dr. Marcial Cristi	Mercedes' husband. A doctor who stole the agua bendita to cure Mercedes.
Pilar Pilapil	Doña Amalia "Wowa" Montenegro	Mercedes' mother. She is very close to Bendita, but not to Agua whom she regards as a 'freak', but do loved her and care for her, as she was protecting her from the danger. She is pretend to root of Agua's problems and Bendita's ill temper.
Alessandra De Rossi	Divina Caguiat Montenegro	Doña Amalia's niece. She had feelings towards Marcial and Doña Amalia conspired to fulfill the Doña's goal of breaking Marcial's family bond.
Dimples Romana	Criselda Barrameda	Padre Guido's niece who was the intended recipient of the miraculous agua bendita. She is Paco's mother and has epilepsy, which the agua bendita was supposed to cure. Enraged with Marcial's deception, she and Doña Amalia set a wicked plan in which they will kidnap Agua and kill her.
Carlos Agassi	Baldomero "Baldo" Barrameda	Criselda's husband who is a gambler and a drunk.
Pen Medina	Padre Guido	The original owner of agua bendita and Criselda's uncle. He asked Marcial to give the agua bendita to Criselda to cure her illness. Unfortunately, Marcial stole it for Mercedes. Padre Guido appears from time to time in Agua's dreams to help her use her abilities she has gained from the agua bendita for good, though he also appears in Bendita's dreams, where he tells her that she can't use Agua's abilities because she does not deserve such privileges, and instead make her understand the error of her ways.
Malou Crisologo	Tonyang/Muchacha	Agua's nanny. She and Marcial are the only two people who knew about Agua's disability when she was born.
Jayson Gainza	Ben Ramirez	A fisherman who saved Agua from danger and raised her.
Malou de Guzman	Rosie Ramirez	Ben's wife who helped Agua from danger and raised her.
Bing Loyzaga	Solita Aguirre	Ronnie's mother. She was once a maid on a rich Italian family. She got impregnated by one of the owner's sons.
Zaijian Jaranilla	Otep (voice)	Agua's fish (clownfish) friend.
Zoren Legaspi	Luisito "Lui" Mondigo	Lisa's son who used to court Mercedes. However, due to Mercedes' rebellion, she ended up marrying Marcial. When Mercedes and her family decided to migrate in America, he found a chance to caress Mercedes once again.

Guest cast

Cast	Character	Summary
Neil Ryan Sese	Señor Lucas	A fake healer who helped Criselda when they needed some money. Criselda acts as if she is being healed by Lucas to attract customers.
Lollie Mara	Doña Caridad Montenegro	Amalia's sister. She is Divina's cruel stepmother.
Lyka Ugarte	Doña Lisa Mondigo	Amalia's friend who owned the boat intended to bring the Cristi family to their hiding island.
Miguel de Guzman	Buknoy	Tod's co-worker and friend
Angel Sy	Bimpy	Daughter of the water theme park owner, healed by Agua.
Kimberly Faye	Jocelyn
Kristine Bartucio	Maldita Woman (Episode 1)

Theme song

The show uses "Malayo Pa Ang Umaga" as its theme song, originally composed and sung by Rey Valera. The first version is sung by Aria Clemente and the second version is sung by Vina Morales.

Footnotes

1. Portrays the title role. The co-stars are not included on the starring role.