Lovingly Yours, Helen

Lovingly Yours, Helen is a Philippine television drama anthology broadcast by GMA Network. The show is the second longest running drama anthology in Philippine television history. Originally hosted by Helen Vela, it premiered on September 7, 1980 on GMA Radio-Television Arts. In 1984, the show was broadcast by Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation. It returned to GMA Network in April 1986. The show concluded on September 1, 1996. It was replaced by Anna Karenina in its timeslot.

Lovingly Yours, Helen
Title card
Also known asLovingly Yours (1992–1996)
GenreDrama
Presented by
Country of originPhilippines
Original languageFilipino
No. of seasons16
Production
Executive producerRedgie Acuña-Magno
Producers
  • Helen Vela (1980-1992)
  • Princess Punzalan (1992-1996)
Production locationPhilippines
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time90 minutes
Production companyHyper-Visions Productions Inc.
Release
Original network
Picture format480i (SDTV)
Original releaseSeptember 7, 1980 (1980-09-07) –
September 1, 1996 (1996-09-01)

The anthology evolved into a television drama anthology from a daily counseling program on radio with the same title, originally aired on GMA's AM station DZBB. It was presented by television/radio personality Helen Vela. Each episode is based on the letter sender's life stories sent by viewers. This format also served as a template of other drama anthologies aired on Philippine television.

The show's radio version, which is live counselling program, continued to air on weekdays, even as the show's TV counterpart (drama anthology) was being produced and taped. Just as with the TV version, the radio show moved to BBC's FM station DWOK-FM (now MOR 101.9 For Life! owned by ABS-CBN) in 1984, and returned to DZBB in 1986.

Music theme

The opening theme for the show was the instrumental version of the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest co-winner Un Jour, Un Enfant by Paul Mauriat. "Ballade pour Adeline," composed and written by Paul de Senneville, was always used as background music while Helen Vela delivered the narration and her final advice to the letter-sender.

As Lovingly Yours, Helen

In 1980, the program transformed from a radio program to a television drama anthology.[1] Among some of the stars appeared on this program's episodes are: Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos, Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes, Aga Muhlach, Maricel Soriano, Romnick Sarmenta, Sharon Cuneta, Tonton Gutierrez, Mary Walter, Bong Revilla, Jr. and Kris Aquino. A rare episode in the drama series was also shown sometime in 1990 when Helen Vela acted alongside close friends Coney Reyes, Vilma Santos and Tina Revilla-Valencia.

Lovingly Yours: The Movie

In 1984, due to immense popularity of the program, Lovingly Yours, Helen was adapted into a four-part anthology movie directed by Argel Joseph.[2]

The first episode, "Akin ang Walang Diyos", was a horror-drama which starred Julie Vega, Anita Linda, Lito Anzures, Joonee Gamboa and Coney Reyes-Mumar.[3]

The second episode, "Anak Lamang ang Isinilang", was a drama that starred Vivian Foz, Fred Montilla, Che-Che, Dodong Gonzales and Ariosto Reyes Jr. (Vivian Foz's ex-husband)[4]

The third episode, "Candy", was about a gay father and his adopted daughter which stars Janice de Belen, Johnny Wilson, Carmi Martin, Princess and Ricky Davao.

The last episode, "Nang Maupos ang Kandila", was a comedy-drama about a comedian whose career was about to fade, starring Chiquito, Sheryl Cruz, Jimmy Santos, Rez Cortez, and Odette Khan.

Helen Vela appeared in the first, second, third and last parts of the movie as narrator.

As Lovingly Yours

Following Vela's death in 1992, her daughter Princess Punzalan (who was the wife of TV personality Willie Revillame at the time) took over her late mother's hosting responsibilities.[1][5] But this time, her hosting did not hold its venue on DZBB studio. The program continued to become the top weekend afternoon anthology on TV. On the last years of airing, Helen Gamboa and Boots Anson-Roa took over hosting chores. This time, Princess played protagonist/central roles.

One of its notable episodes during the time after Helen's death was Princess Punzalan's own life story.

Reruns of the most memorable episodes of Lovingly Yours, Helen were shown after its last episode on September 1, 1996.

16th anniversary and farewell episode

After 16 years of dominance, Lovingly Yours finally bowed out of Philippine television with a special thanksgiving dinner show and tribute to Helen Vela. During the dinner, an awarding ceremony was given to the producers and staff who already worked for the program. A special presentation features a video clip of Helen's performance (with Coney Reyes, Tina Revilla, and Vilma Santos), who sang "A Friend" by Keno on Vilma! in 1989.

Accolades
Accolades received by Lovingly Yours, Helen
Year Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
1988 2nd PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Series Lovingly Yours, Helen Nominated

References
  1. Francisco, Butch (July 1, 2003). "Past memorable shows on GMA". PhilStar Global. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  2. "Argel Joseph, director of 'Lovingly Yours, Helen' and 'Roman Rapido,' passes away". Interaksyon. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  3. Hallare, Katrina (December 12, 2018). "LOOK: Coney Reyes fondly remembers Julie Vega". Inquirer. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  4. Gonzales, Rommel (August 14, 2019). "80s stars Vivian Foz and Ariosto Reyes Jr. reunite via Magpakailanman". PEP. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
  5. Anarcon, James Patrick (July 8, 2020). "Princess Punzalan: from Mula Sa Puso's primera kontrabida to international actress". PEP. Retrieved July 10, 2020.
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