Filipinos have always invested in television plots that involved mistresses and the like that
produce stereotypical dramas and scenarios.
But are these cliché plots part of the Filipino culture or are they the consequences of the new
Filipino generation’s interest for drama?
To answer these, one must look through different lenses.
* First is through the perspective of art.
In the year 2014, a hit mistress drama series “The Legal Wife took its peak which was
considered the typical ‘my-bestie-and-boyfie-fell-in-love-with-each-other’ story. The Best Mistress
Drama in the Philippines, Bea Grace Pascual, September 20, 2019 The episode titled "The End of an
Affair" achieved a record-breaking 36.2% national TV rating, according to data from Kantar
Media. This was a show that aired at 9:15 PM and broke many records.
Not just “The Legal Wife” drama series achieved many records, but there are many other
mistress drama teleserye that gained popularity in Filipino history. One example is the ‘Minsan
Lang Kitang Iibigin’ (1994). This classic mistress film, which is packed with memorable lines,
intense stare downs, and a very gory twist, might be regarded as a Filipino cinematic gem.
Lines from this film have become prominent even in this generation. One specific character of
Maricel Soriano quoted:
“Relasyon. Kirida, kabet, number two, mistress. Relasyon.” -Terry
“Wag mo akong ma-Terry Terry! 'Yong tanong ko sagutin mo—are you f*cking my husband?” Terry