HIV/AIDs is still claiming too many lives, and as we deal with this crisis, a timely television series will tackle this serious and fatal disease by bringing to light the struggles of a woman who is HIV positive and how she battles her own frailties and demons in life.
Entitled Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka, this series directed by Neal del Rosario, aims to raise HIV awareness and educate viewers on its effects upon a person’s life.
In the new series, Yasmien Kurdi breathes life to Thea Balagtas, a simple provincial girl with a promising career as a public accountant. After marrying Marco (Mike Tan) and raising their fraternal twins together, her blissful life shatters when she tests positive for HIV.
Without knowing who she got it from, Marco is led to believe that she cheated on him and files for legal separation, taking their kids with him. Her disease worsens and she loses her will to live. But when she unexpectedly meets her daughter a few years later, she finds it in herself to fight more than just HIV-her greatest opponent, herself.
“This is a very personal project. I have learned that for every 100 persons tested for HIV, seven to 10 are positive. And they’re getting younger,” the 29-year-old actress told the press during the media conference for Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka.
Yasmien further stated that the lead cast had to go through an immersive seminar so they could deeply understand what HIV/AIDS is all about, spread awareness among people regarding preventive measures against the disease, and be prepared on the roles that they play in the new series.
Joining Yasmien in the cast is Martin del Rosario and Jackie Rice. Martin plays Lawrence De Leon, Thea’s college friend from a well-off family. Secretly, he is in love with her even though he dates a lot of women and develops HIV from this. Meanwhile, Jackie is Ava Imperial, Marco’s beautiful and socialite ex-girlfriend. She shuffles to and from the United States for pleasure and business. Even though she flirts around, she is still bent on settling with Marco.
Also part of this ground-breaking project are actress and TV director Gina Alajar, Shamaine Buencamino, Charee Pineda, Ina Feleo, Mike “Pekto” Nacua, Catherine Rem, Caprice Cayetano, and Seth Dela Cruz.
Behind this drama is the creative team composed of Creative Director Roy Iglesias; Concept creator Zita Garganera; Head writer Suzette Doctolero; Creative Head for Afternoon Prime Block Dode Cruz and Creative Consultant Kit Langit.
The program is another original creation of the GMA Drama group under the supervision of Senior Vice President for Entertainment Content Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable; Vice President for Drama Redgie Acuña-Magno; Assistant Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; and Program Manager Anthony Pastorpide.
Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka premieres today after The Stepdaughters on GMA Afternoon Prime.