In the Philippines, teleseryes usually alternate between two main plots: search or revenge. The latter has become one of the most popular plot devices on television where the main character rises from oppression, and gets back at the people who have done him or her wrong. The plot works perfectly if it follows the right formula: a rich lead character, an effective kontrabida, and entertaining campy confrontation scenes!
Ahead, we list down ten of the best revenge-themed teleseryes you have to see:
1. Marimar (2007-2008, 2015)
This soap opera tells the story of the impoverished and innocent Marimar, a beautiful woman who falls for and marries the rich Sergio Santibanez. She renames herself as Bella Aldama and uses her fortune to exact revenge on the Santibanezes.
GMA-7 did a Pinoy adaptation with Marian Rivera in the titular role and Dingdong Dantes as Sergio. Angelika, who plays the wife of Renato and the stepmom of Sergio, was played by Katrina Halili. Another version was made in 2015 with Megan Young in the title role.
2. Wildflower (2017-2018)
Wildflower aired in ABS-CBN Primetime Bida in 2017 and tells the story of Lily Cruz (Maja Salvador), a young woman who suffers the injustices of the Ardientes, causing the death of her parents. It ran for a year, was well-received, and earned for Maja a Best Actress award at the first Asia Contents Awards held in Busan, South Korea in 2019.
3. Contessa (2018)
GMA-7’s Contessa tells the story of Bea Resureccion (Glaiza de Castro), who is framed for a crime that happens on her wedding day. Behind the crime is the powerful Imperial family, which makes sure that Bea’s life in jail will be a living hell.
4. Dirty Linen (2023)
The ongoing Kapamilya series is currently one of the most talked-about series for its edgy story. It begins with the death of four helpers at the Fiero mansion, with their "dirty linens" were kept hidden by the Fiero family. Years later, Alexa (Janine Gutierrez), the child of one of the helpers (Dolly de Leon), enters the Fiero mansion as a maid, a ruse hatched to uncover the truth behind the disappearance of their loved ones.
5. Sana Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon (2014)
This 2014 drama series tells the story of Rose (Bea Alonzo), an heiress who turns her back on her family to be with Patrick (Paulo Avelino), the man he loves. Rose's father is killed just as she is about to make amends to him. She is blamed and sent to jail for her father's death. The lawyer Emmanuelle Romero (also played by Bea) takes on Rose's case and gets her out of prison.
In the middle of their investigation, Rose and Emmanuelle get involved in a tragicaccident. Rose survives with third degree burns, but Emmanuel dies. Rose assumes the identity of Emmanuelle to continue the investigation.
6. The Killer Bride (2019-2020)
The Killer Bride was Maja Salvador’s follow-up project after Wildflower. It starts with the story of Camila dela Torre (Maja), a woman who falls in love with Vito dela Cuesta (Geoff Eigenmann), a bachelor from the Dela Torre’s rival clan. On the day of their wedding, Camila is framed to kill Vito’s brother and jailed for a crime she did not commit.
7. Magkaagaw (2020-2021)
Magkaagaw is tagged “hindi ordinaryong kuwento ng paghihiganti.” It begins with the story of Veron (Sheryl Cruz), who is left by her husband Mario (Alfred Vargas) for another woman, Laura (Sunshine Dizon), who does not know he's married. Years pass, Laura’s daughter Clarisse (Klea Pineda), now all grown-up, weds Jio (Jeric Gonzales) but their mariage is tested when she achieves success in her dream job working for a woman only known as VRS.
8. Pangako Sa'yo (2000-2002, 2015-2016)
Pangako Sa ‘Yo, dubbed as the first soap opera to use the term teleserye, is also one of the first Pinoy dramas that had revenge as its main plot. The series starts with the impoverished Amor de Jesus (Eula Valdes), who works as a maid for the Buenavistas. She is in a secret relationship with the Buenavistas’ heir, Eduardo Buenavista (Tonton Gutierrez). However, Benita (Liza Lorena), the evil mother who does not approve of her son's girlfriend, plots a scheme for Amor and Eduardo to break up.
9. Magkaribal (2010)
Magkaribal was dubbed as the first fashionserye in the Philippines as its milieu is centered on fashion. It was headlined by Gretchen Barretto and Bea Alonzo as sisters who were separated because of tragic events. Anna gets separated from her younger sister Angela after a huge fire in the hospital. Later, Gelai becomes a known fashion designer and gets even at Victoria for the cruelty she did towards her.
10. Hanggang Kailan (2004)
Hanggang Kailan tells the story of the bida-kontrabida Valerie (Lorna Tolentino), who returns to San Sebastian to claim what she believes is rightfully hers: her first love Dado (Christopher de Leon). Valerie and Dado separated when her father forced her into marrying a rich man aspayment for his debt.
This story originally appeared on Pep.ph.. Minor edits have been my the Preview.ph editors.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
