Back in Manila, Lola Helen asks Vicente how Benjie was doing. Surprisingly, he has good things to say about him. Even going as far as saying Benjie takes after him when it comes to coming up with out-of-the-box designs. But he‘d rather not let him know, lest he becomes big-headed. Helen reminds her husband that Benjie is not just an employee but their grandson. “Don’t push him away the way you did Gabriel.” Vicente answers, “I think Benjie is different from Gabriel.”Catalina, on the other hand, is having a party for one for her successful scheme, with Elton as guest. “He’s being too much of a show-off to dad. Now let’s see him show-off to the goats and cows of Pelangi.” Spoken like a true classy kontrabida.

Meanwhile, at Bahay Obispo, Teddy and Sally are starting to worry about Sinag who still hasn’t come back. Sol fesses up where he has been and together with Teddy, they head out to look for Sinag. They find her in the middle of the hanging bridge with an unconscious stranger on top of her. Teddy and Sol bring the stranger to their home, surprised to see his face.

Benjie wakes up disoriented, finding himself surrounded by strangers. He blames Sinag for almost falling off the bridge but her family explains to him why she panicked and thought he was an apparition. They show him Sally’s portrait that looks just like him.  

Benjie realizes that he has met the Obispos and decides to hide his identity. Benjie tries his breezy moves on Sinag but she just brushes him off.

Random thoughts

* I get that Marjorie’s character is written to be that typical spoiled rich girl trope that’s why her OOTDs are glaringly out of place in the mountains. But it’s so irritating that she makes chic and street-style worthy outfits soooo tacky. It’s an injustice to all fashion girls out there.

* Gahhh! The bridge scene is sooo epic. How many takes did that scene have? And I love tatay Teddy’s side comments when he was carrying the unconscious Benjie off of his daughter. “Naku, ang bigat. Siksik na siksik to ah. Sagana sa protina ah.” I can’t even translate it because it is too funny. I wonder how Alden was able to stay in character.

* Looks like despite the comedy, there’s underlying tension between Sally and Sol. Her interaction with her son is very different from how she treats Sinag and Tala. (The parents are willing to make financial sacrifices to spend on the radio station--which does not make profit, but not as proactive in supporting his wish to study computer engineering in a good school in Manila--a lucrative profession) Looks like there's another reason why Sol wants to go to Manila to study.

* Only one scene, but Catalina still slays with her LBD.

* The possible reasons why Benjie does not want anyone looking through his notebook without his permission (aside from the fact that he's hiding his real identity): 1) there are sketches of naked women there; 2) that's where he stores his list of (researched) pick up lines; 3) it's actually a DeathNote

In conclusion…

When Alden and Maine occupy the same breathing space, there is undeniable magic in the air. It’s incredible how potent it is. Watching their characters interact with Sinag’s family is a treat. I can’t wait for the next episodes.

The pilot week was pretty solid. It established Sinag and Benjie’s backgrounds to show us who they are—their strengths and weaknesses—before they met and influence each other’s lives. They are not perfect: Benjie thinks too highly of himself, is a Casanova, and has a lot of unresolved family issues, while Sinag is impulsive, hot-headed, and too wrapped-up in her high school heart-break. We’ll soon witness how their personalities would initially clash but soon complement each other. Sinag’s constant rejection would teach Benjie that sincerity is worth more than all the breezy moves in the world. And Benjie’s persistence to win her heart may convince her that destiny does exist.

We also get oriented to the underlying conflicts that would affect and complicate the budding relationship between our destined lovers. Not only do they have to deal with personal differences and values, they would have to face company and government politics, as well as internal family conflicts.