The Good Son (TV series)

The Good Son
File:The Good Son ABS-CBN TV series title card.jpg
Genre	Family drama, Romance, Crime, Mystery
Created by	Rondel P. Lindayag
Developed by	Roldeo T. Endrinal Julie Anne R. Benitez Erick C. Salud
Written by	Danica Mae S. Domingo David Franche Diuco Detrick Saberola Li Candelaria Hazel Madanguit
Directed by	Manny Q. Palo Andoy Ranay Jerome C. Pobocan
Creative director	Johnny delos Santos
Starring	Joshua Garcia Jerome Ponce McCoy de Leon Nash Aguas Mylene Dizon Eula Valdez
Opening theme	"I'll Be There for You" by Jake Zyrus
Composers	Martin Nievera and Louie Ocampo
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	Filipino English
No. of episodes	120 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Eleanor Martinez
Producer	Arnel T. Nacario
Cinematography	Gary Tria Romy Vitug
Editor	Marion Reyes
Running time	30–45 minutes
Production company	Dreamscape Entertainment Television
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	September 25, 2017 (2017-09-25) – present
Related
Caer en Tentación

The Good Son, formerly known as Kung Kailangan Mo Ako (lit. 'If You Need Me'), is a Philippine family drama television series starring Joshua Garcia, Jerome Ponce, McCoy de Leon, and Nash Aguas, with Eula Valdez, Mylene Dizon and John Estrada. The series premiered on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel on September 25, 2017, replacing A Love to Last. The murder mystery addresses issues affecting family relationships such as infidelity, mental illness, particularly Schizophrenia and Pathological lying.

Plot

This mystery, family drama revolves around Victor Buenavidez (Albert Martinez), a good father to his sons, Enzo (Jerome Ponce) and Calvin (Nash Aguas), carrying a secret: another son, Joseph Reyes (later changed to Buenavidez) (Joshua Garcia). Joseph and his half brother Obet (McCoy de Leon) grow up fatherless, each from a different father. Victor returns to Joseph’s life and things are starting to get better for their family, then Victor dies suddenly in Joseph’s home. The two families collide, shocking their two sons and devastating Olivia Buenavidez (Eula Valdez), Victor’s widow. Olivia turns her anger on Raquel (Mylene Dizon), Joseph’s mother, and blames her for her husband’s untimely death.

The autopsy reveals poison in Victor’s system, his death turns into a homicide investigation. Olivia quickly points the blame on the Reyes family. Victor’s Will further complicates matters when Joseph and Raquel are named co-heirs with the first family, with Joseph receiving equal shares as his two other brothers, Enzo and Calvin. The will stipulates Joseph must complete his education in the same private school as his brothers, and upon graduating university, share in the management of the company with Enzo. Aside from a lump sum bequest, Raquel is also given a seat in the board.

The investigation intensifies as suspicions shift from Joseph and Raquel to Calvin and Olivia. While the siblings try to deal with the new family dynamics, Olivia continues to cast aspersions on the Reyes family, specifically Raquel and Joseph. Joseph pursues his own investigation and discovers leads which he provides the police, further angering Olivia.

As clashes between both families escalate in the school campus and the boardroom, the investigation leads to Dado Castillo (Jeric Raval), the Buenavidez family driver. Dado and Olivia grew up together despite the fact that Dado’s father was their servant. As children, Olivia leaned on Dado as her protector against her father’s harsh disciplinary upbringing. He falls in love with her but she marries Victor. In one moment of weakness, when Victor and Olivia’s marriage is under a lot of strain, Olivia and Dado spend the night together and Calvin is conceived. Olivia keeps this secret from Victor. He recently learns the truth when Dado secretly leaks the DNA result on his desk bureau for him to find, a bombshell information that sparked his and Olivia’s separation.

The discovery of their mother’s affair and Calvin’s paternity devastate the boys, while the lies and coverups intensifies. The coverup attempts lead to Chief investigator SPO1 Colminares’ murder by Dado, creating an enormous impact on Calvin’s mental state and he further regresses into Psychosis.

As Joseph’s investigation leads him closer to the truth, Olivia pressures Dado to kill Joseph, and several attempts are made on Obet’s and Raquel’s lives. Dado is captured and confesses to the assault and attempted murder of the Reyeses, the murder of SP01 Colmenares (Michael Rivero) and admits to poisoning Victor. The police are skeptical because they have concrete evidence that Dado had an accomplice indicating Colmenares struggled with someone other than Dado before he died. Their suspicions come from hair samples obtained from Colmenares’ hands when he died. DNA tests conclude the hair strands are not Dado’s, but its DNA has a 89.7% chance that the hair belongs to his relative after they matched the specimens with Dado’s DNA. Hazel (Loisa Andalio) is eliminated because she is adopted. While all these are happening, Olivia attempts to flee to America with her sons to start a new life. A departure hold is placed against her and they are detained just before they board. She is arrested for trying to abscond with company funds and Estafa charges are filed against her by BDG (“Buenavidez de Guzman Group”).

The departure hold affects Calvin the hardest. His mental state deteriorates even further at this point and his schizophrenic personalities begin to emerge. He hears voices in his head, warnings that the truth will destroy him. Enzo’s concern for Calvin increases and promises to be there for his brother but he is conflicted when he discovers more lies from his mother, her embezzlement of BDG funds. He wants to reach out to Hazel but is torn between covering up his family’s secrets, or doing the right thing and get help for his brother. Calvin’s mental condition worsens and his psychiatrist strongly recommends confinement in a psych facilities for his psychotic episodes but Olivia does not want to raise suspicions.

At Olivia’s Estafa trial, the court hears testimony from Mr. Villamanca, BDG’s former head of finance, attesting that he has been diverting company funds to Olivia’s offshore accounts for some time under her specific instructions, bribing him so he can care for his terminally ill wife. But his testimony is questioned when the funds are missing from her secret offshore account. Just when it looks like Olivia’s careful lies unravel, the unthinkable happens when the court grants her a not guilty verdict for lack of evidence. Olivia's lawyers point out there is no evidence that proves Olivia received the funds. While Olivia dodges a bullet, Anthony (John Estrada) and Ernesto (Art Acuña) appeal the verdict. Strangely, Anthony instructs Villamanca to hide.

Despite Olivia’s courtroom triumphs, Calvin’s mental health quickly deteriorates, his paranoia pushes him to break into Anthony’s home to retrieve a DNA document. Anthony and Joseph catch him and after a violent altercation with Joseph, they turn him over to authorities. Nevertheless, upon seeing his brother’s worsening condition and after Olivia pleads with him, Joseph withdraws the assault charges. The police try another method focusing on Calvin’s alibi, Justine (Alexa Ilacad), threatening her with possible charges of obstruction of justice. Not wanting to drag her into all this, Calvin comes forward to admit the truth about the evening Colmenares was murdered. He is jailed overnight as an accomplice for murder and obstruction of justice and is released on bail the next day. Meanwhile, Dado escapes from prison when he learns his son is in jail.

The police is close to establishing a solid connection between Colmenares’ and Victor’s murders, and Calvin breaks down at the pre-hearing, prompting a motion for a court appointed psychiatrist to determine if Calvin is competent to stand trial. Suspicious about the real truth, Enzo threatens to get the information from Calvin himself. Not wanting Calvin to go through another stressful situation, Olivia finally admits to Enzo that Calvin poisoned his father to stop him from leaving their family. The next day, Calvin confesses the same truth to the court appointed psychiatrist, to his brother and Uncle. The explosive information sends the entire extended family reeling. Olivia especially is rattled over the fact that Calvin’s confession is now public knowledge, it was not supposed to end up like this. Refusing to accept that her son would pay for her mistakes, she looks to Dado and Arthur to fix her problems - two persons personally invested in Olivia’s triumph. Dado tells Olivia that he would testify that he stopped Calvin from serving the poison by purposely spilling the contents of the glass. Meanwhile, Arthur, who has his own score to settle with Anthony, accepts Olivia’s payment to find the stolen company funds from Anthony and bring down his rival.

Later, new information surfaces shifting the investigation to Anthony, the new person of interest. Olivia tracks Villamanca hiding in a safe house arranged by Anthony Buenavidez. She alerts the investigators of the deeper rivalry between her husband and Anthony. Police investigators review CCTV footage and learn that Anthony and Victor had an argument in their office the evening of his death, after the birthday dinner and before Victor headed for the Reyes. Coincidentally, Anthony and Villamanca goes missing. Joseph and Raquel struggle to comprehend the latest developments regarding Anthony and find it hard to believe that he killed Victor. But soon after Anthony is officially named a suspect in his brother’s murder, the police investigation goes into a tailspin when Anthony is found dead. Solving Victor’s death is far from over and a new lead investigator is brought in.

Cast

Main cast

• Joshua Garcia as Joseph "Jopet" Reyes Buenavidez, Victor’s illegitimate son. He inherits equal share as his brothers from his father’s estate. He pursues his father’s murder investigation despite resistance from persons who don’t want want him to discover the truth.
• Jerome Ponce as Lorenzo "Enzo" Gesmundo-Buenavidez, Victor’s oldest legitimate son. He is conflicted between seeking justice for his father’s murder and protecting his family’s secrets.
• McCoy de Leon as Oliverio "Obet" Nabati-Reyes, Joseph’s half brother, Arthur Moreno’s son, eager for his estranged parents to reconcile. Under the influence of his father, Obet becomes envious of his half brother’s good fortune and blames Joseph’s stubborn investigation of Victor’s murder as the reason for the recent spate of violence his family is experiencing. Despite being envious towards of his half-brother because of his relationship to his mother Raquel, Obet decides to be teach by his father Arthur in his criminal activities.
• Nash Aguas as Calvin "Cal" Gesmundo-Buenavidez, Victor’s youngest legitimate son, the natural child of a liaison between Dado Castillo and Olivia Buenavidez. Calvin broke into SP01 Leandro Colmenares’ home with Dado Castillo on the night Colmenares was murdered. He later admits to poisoning his father. Calvin suffers from Schizophrenia, a mental illness that results into psychotic episodes. He suffers hallucinations, imaginary friends and hears voices.

Supporting cast

• Eula Valdez as Olivia Gesmundo-Buenavidez, Victor’s wife, Enzo’s and Calvin’s mother. The main antagonist, as she suffers a nervous breakdown as a child and is a pathological liar resulting from lifelong abuse by her father. Her pattern for habitual lying increases throughout her life, burdened with secrets affecting her marriage. Distraught over Victor’s other family and his decision to separate from her, she blames Raquel and her family for the crime, but subsequent informations raise police’s suspicions about her. They uncover her affair with Dado Castillo. Fully aware of the precarious financial distress caused by Victor’s land purchase to pay her mother’s gambling debts, and alarmed by the police’s increasing focus on Calvin, she attempts to abscond with the company’s remaining funds to flee to America with her family. Police detains them at the airport, is subsequently charged and later acquitted. She admits to covering up her son’s crimes because of his mental illness.
• Mylene Dizon as Raquel Reyes-Buenavidez, Victor’s former liaison, and Joseph and Obet’s mother. Raquel’s father says she has a history of easily losing her heart to men, resulting to two unplanned pregnancies. Raquel is a beautiful and kind hearted woman who raises her sons to be kind, loving and righteous. Raquel allows Victor to return to their lives so that Joseph can have a relationship with his father. She allows the same privilege to Arthur for Obet’s benefit. Upon his death, Victor leaves her with substantial funds in his will, including a seat in the board of his company. Scorned by Olivia, she proves herself worthy to sit in the Board.
• John Estrada as Anthony Buenavidez, Victor’s younger brother and BDG’s legal counsel. Like Joseph, he pursues leads for Victor’s murder investigation and discovers Olivia’s lies. He files a departure hold on Olivia, successfully stopping their flight to San Francisco. He files charges against her and is the trial lawyer but loses the case. He falls in love with Raquel. Olivia accuses Anthony of colluding with Villamanca and stealing the company’s funds because he was always envious of Victor. Anthony harbors a secret regarding his relationship with Victor. After going missing for a few days, his corpse is found on the river side.
• Jeric Raval as Diosdado "Dado" Castillo, Hazel’s adoptive father and Calvin’s biological father. He covers up all the crimes committed, and has direct knowledge about Victor’s and Inspector Colmenares’ murder. As Joseph comes close to learning the truth, Dado tries to kill him. He is currently in jail awaiting his hearing, charged for attempted murder of Joseph Buenavidez, Raquel Reyes and Obet Reyes. Although he admits to the murders of Victor Buenavidez and Romeo Colmenares, he begs Olivia to help get him out, certain she will not desert him. Dado has always loved Olivia since childhood, fiercely protects her from the tyranny and abusive treatment from her father. The night of Victor’s death, he witnessed Calvin pouring the poison in his father’s drink, but he purposely poured out the contents to stop him.
• Loisa Andalio as Hazel Castillo, Dado’s adopted daughter and the Buenavidez boys’ childhood Friend. Through Victor’s patronage, Hazel attends the same private school as the Buenavidez boys. She is closest to Enzo and knows his true character. She refuses to give up on him.
• Elisse Joson as Sabina De Guzman, daughter of Ernesto, one of the largest stockholders in the Buenavidez Group. She is Obet’s girlfriend.
• Alexa Ilacad as Justiniana "Justine" Asuncion. Justine was Calvin’s imaginary friend during his psychotic episode after his father is poisoned. When Calvin uses her as his alibi on the night Colmenares was killed, Enzo hires an aspiring actress to pose as Justine. Although she is paid by Enzo for her services, she develops a nurturing and platonic relationship with Calvin, possessing the same calming effect the imaginary Justine has on Calvin. Justine looks after an older sister who is autistic, is kind hearted and not fully aware of the extent of Calvin’s condition. To spare her from being charged for obstruction of justice, Calvin admits to breaking into Colmenares’ home.
• Ronnie Lazaro as Matias Reyes, Raquel’s father and Obet’s and Joseph’s hardworking grandfather. A rice vendor in their local wet market, Matias is a source of emotional support and wisdom to his family. He serves as the two boys’ father figure during the years their fathers were absent from their lives.
• Liza Lorena as Doña Matilda Gesmundo, Olivia’s mother. An addicted gambler whose debts with the loan sharks drive Victor to bail her out. In doing so, he purchases a large tract of agricultural land, unaware of its poor market value with no return of investment. Although Matilda benefits from the commissions paid to her resulting from the land purchase, the land itself is barren and expensive to sustain. Unfortunately, Victor dies before he is able to advise the board to rectify the purchase. She exerts a strong influence on Olivia, often giving her advice contrary to her own good.

Extended cast

• Alex Medina as Arthur Moreno, Obet’s father and Raquel’s ex-husband, a former drug addict and ex-convict who serves time for attempting to sell Obet when he was an infant. He cannot accept that Raquel no longer loves him. Arthur covets the Buenavidez’ wealth and stature. He uses his son to win back Raquel. His criminal influence on Obet undermines the brothers’ relationship, stirring Obet to become envious of Joseph’s improved economic situation. A permanent restraining order is issued against him after he hurt Raquel when she refused his advances and later he joins forces and works with Olivia against Raquel and Anthony. Especially, Joseph.
• Kathleen Hermosa as Carmela "Emma" Castillo, Dado’s wife and Hazel’s adoptive mother.
• Arthur Acuna as Ernesto De Guzman, Sabina’s father and major stock holder of the Buenavidez Group. He uncovers the financial anomalies and together with Anthony, press charges against Olivia. He continues to investigate the missing funds, Then He was not Accept to Obet for Sabina's Friendship.
• Lovely Rivero as Miriam De Guzman, Sabina’s mother but Later She will Accept to Obet for Sabina's Friendship.
• Nico Antonio as SPO1 Romeo Colmenares, Leandro’s brother who takes over his slain brother’s case investigation of Victor’s murder.
• Jojit Lorenzo as Bodjie
• Jennie Gabriel as Britney, house maid at the Buenavidez home. She witnesses the family drama first hand and has an accurate perception of events but remains silent.
• Igi Boy Flores as Jordan, Joseph’s best friend at Brizard.
• Joj Agpangan as Cassie, Hazel’s best friend in Brizard.
• Fifth Solomon as Terry, Olivia's secretary in BMG
• Joem Bascon as SPO3 George Encarnacion
• Dino Pastrano as SPO2 Alfonso

Guest cast

• Michael Rivero as SPO1 Leandro Colmenares, lead investigator of Victor Buenavidez’ murder. He is killed by Dado Castillo soon after Calvin breaks into his apartment trying to retrieve a video recording of Enzo’s statement regarding Olivia and Dado. Leandro recognizes Calvin but Dado kills him. At the time of his murder, Leandro was close to solving the Victor’s murder. Hair samples of the Calvin is obtained from Leandro’s hands, subsequently linking both murders. He leaves a little daughter behind.
• Paul Salas as Dimitri "Trey" Gamboa, former Blue Jaguar basketball player, injured from a fall after a Blue Jaguars game. He claims Enzo pushed him off the balcony after a jealous rage, and Olivia is paying all his medical and physical therapy expenses to keep silent. He recanted his testimony against Enzo.
• Ethan Salvador as Trevor Ledesma
• Dolly Gutierrez as the Psychiatrist who diagnoses Calvin’s schizophrenia condition and recommends institutionalizing him. She is fearful that he would endanger his life and others if left untreated.
• Mark Rivera as Oliver
• Agassi Ching
• Ana de Leon
• Isabel Castañeda
• Johnny Revilla as Don Enrico Gesmundo, Olivia’s misogynist and domineering father, prejudiced against women and a philanderer. He is cold and cruel to Olivia and abusive to his wife, but he admires and trusts his son in law, Victor, and leaves his company to him.
• Myrtle Sarrosa as Vangie, Justine's elder sister who is a special child.
• Kyle Velino as Brent
• Uajo Maranang as Connor
• Joaquin Valdes
• Acey Aguilar as Blue Jaguar's Coach who values both Enzo’s and Joseph’s skills and abilities in the court.
• Noel Comia Jr. as Young Anthony Buenavidez

Special participation

• Albert Martinez as Victor Buenavidez, the main character who dies in the beginning of the series. The story details his life’s unfinished business and the impact of his death on his two families. It tracks his history with the two women in his life: Olivia and Raquel. Victor is a scholar who does well in life due to his hard work and high principles. He is respected by his boss, falls in love with his boss’ daughter, Olivia, and is handed the reins to run and save the family’s company. Victor is very much in love with Olivia but is not aware that she suffers from a debilitating mental disorder. Their relationship breaks down early in the marriage after a miscarriage drives Olivia into a severe depression. A brief separation leads Victor to Raquel’s world, a simpler life, polar opposite to his wife’s wealthy and corporate lifestyle. However, Olivia snaps out of her depression and asks Victor to reconcile. He returns to Olivia and their first son, Enzo, is born. Their marriage goes through the normal challenges, and they have a second son, Calvin. Victor is not aware that Raquel is pregnant and has no contact with her but their lives collide when Raquel’s family moves to Manila for Joseph’s studies. Joseph finds work with the Buenavidez Group, meets Victor and eventually meets Raquel again. Victor and Raquel do not resume their relationship but Victor wants to make things right for his son, so Raquel allows them to get to know one another. Victor buys them a house which he gives to Joseph. Olivia’s discovery of the existence of Joseph triggers her unstable personality that ultimately tears their marriage apart. Victor leaves in the evening of his birthday celebration and drives to the Reyeses. He collapses at their home and is pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital. Victor narrates insights on his life throughout the series.
• Justin James Quinlantang as young Calvin
• Mutya Orquia as young Olivia
• Bernard Palanca as (young) Don Enrico Gesmundo, Olivia’s abusive and domineering father, a misogynist, prejudiced against women, and philanderer. He was cruel to Olivia and abusive to his wife. He is the root of Olivia’s mental illness and psychological disorders.
• Valerie Concepcion as (young) Doña Matilda Gesmundo, Enrico’s long suffering wife. His philandering and abuse drives her towards her compulsive lying and chronic gambling addiction.

Reception

Kantar Media National TV Ratings
(9:15PM PST)

Pilot Episode	Finale Episode	Peak	Average
18.1% September 25, 2017	TBD	21.7% December 29, 2017	TBD

Production

Casting

Elmo Magalona and Janella Salvador were initially part of the original cast, but were eventually pulled out because of major changes to the storyline and production. They were replaced by Jerome Ponce and Loisa Andalio respectively.

The Good Son marks Joshua Garcia and Loisa Andalio's mini-reunion after previously being paired together in the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: All In in 2014; the two also reunites with Jerome Ponce after being worked together in the afternoon drama Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita in 2015. The drama is also Nash Aguas and Alexa Ilacad's second major project after Bagito in 2014. Aguas, along with Eula Valdez, John Estrada, Albert Martinez and Liza Lorena, were previously part of the 2007 telenovela Maria Flordeluna. Meanwhile, the series is also McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson's first major project; the latter also reunites with Ponce after the closure of their relationship in Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7. Ponce, along with De Leon and Joson, were previously appeared in the popular pre-noontime drama Be Careful With My Heart.

Timeslot

The Good Son was supposed to be part of Kapamilya Gold afternoon block as initially planned. In a last minute change, however, the series eventually replaces A Love to Last as part of Primetime Bida evening block due to the viewers' demanding requests. The drama switched places with The Promise of Forever which is now demoted to Kapamilya Gold block, replacing The Better Half.

See also

• List of programs broadcast by ABS-CBN
• List of drama series of ABS-CBN
• List of The Good Son episodes