Gina Pareño meets real-life counterpart in Maala-ala Mo Kaya's 'Rehas'

Some months back the story of the ‘cavalry’ of a mother of Aklan with three mentally deranged children caught the attention of Ms. Charo Santos-Concio and her Maalaala Mo Kaya staff.

Dado Lomibao wrote the sotry of Aling Reming (Mrs. Remedios Deodiva) of Aklan for Jeffrey Jeturian to direct. They came up with an excellent cast.

GINA PAREÑO na gumanap na Aling Reming sa MMK sa pier, sumalubong sa totoong Reming (mula Aklan)Gina Pareño was Aling Reming with

Lotlot de Leon, Jhong Hilario and Sid Lucero as her sick kids. Her faith in God and in the goodness of men (the local officials and DSWD people) keep her optimism.

Rehas was no ordinary MKK feature. The well-crafted piece created public attention when it was shown on ABS-CBN. Some bigwigs (including those from ABS-CBN) put their act together for Aling Reming and family.

By ship from Aklan, Aling Reming and children reached Manila last July 26. As Gina Pareño recalls: "Hindi taping `yung pinuntahan namin sa Pier. Kasama ako sa pagsundo sa kanila. For the first time nakita ko ang totoong Aling Reming at ang mga anak niya. Nakatali talaga sina Joel at Joedy."

Gina’s initial reaction was great depression and pity, feeling she was helpless faced with them.

"Sobra akong naapektuhan doon kesa sa taping namin dahil awang-awa ako sa kanila. Kinausap ko at umiyak nang niyakap ko sila. Sana may magawa sa kanila ang ospital at mga gamot."

The real-life drama that day ended when Gina went with the Deodiva family to the mental hospital. For Gina that was some experience. As she says: "Hindi pa tapos ang kalbaryo nila."
Billy Balbastro
Abante