Lovingly Yours, Helen

Lovingly Yours, Helen
Also known as Lovingly Yours (1992–1996)
Genre Drama
Presented by
Country of origin Philippines
Original language(s) Tagalog
No. of seasons 16
Production
Executive producer(s) Redgie Acuña-Magno
Producer(s)
  • Helen Vela (1980-1992)
  • Princess Punzalan (1992-1996)
Production location(s) Philippines
Camera setup Multiple-camera setup
Running time 90 minutes
Production company(s) Hyper-Visions Productions Inc.
Release
Original network
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
Original release September 7, 1980 (1980-09-07) – September 1, 1996 (1996-09-01)

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. It premiered on September 7, 1980 on GMA Network. 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.

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 (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. 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 transformed into a four-part anthology movie. The first episode was a horror-drama (Akin Ang Walang Diyos) which starred Julie Vega, Anita Linda, Lito Anzures, Joonee Gamboa and Coney Reyes (billed as Coney Reyes-Mumar). The second episode was a drama (Anak Lamang Ang Isinilang) that starred Vivian Foz, Fred Montilla, Che-Che, Dodong Gonzales and Ariosto Reyes Jr. The third episode (Candy) was about a gay father and his adopted daughter (Janice de Belen, Johnny Wilson, Carmi Martin, Princess and Ricky Davao), and the last was a comedy-drama (Nang Maupos Ang Kandila) about a comedian whose career was about to be faded, with 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. 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

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