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A Soldier's Heart

A Soldier's Heart is a Philippine television drama action series broadcast by ABS-CBN and Kapamilya Channel. Directed by Richard V. Somes, it stars Gerald Anderson, Carlo Aquino, Vin Abrenica, Elmo Magalona, Jerome Ponce, Yves Flores, Nash Aguas, Sue Ramirez and Sid Lucero. The series aired premiered on January 2020 on the network's Primetime Bida line-up replacing The Killer Bride. The series concluded on September 18, 2020 with a total of 110 episodes. It was replaced by Walang Hanggang Paalam on its timeslot.

Synopsis

The series primarily focuses on the soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army and their actions during combat. Through multiple perspectives, the story focuses on these soldiers, mainly: Alex Marasigan (Gerald Anderson), an IT expert who quits his desk job and joins because just like his brother, he wants to serve the country, Abraham "Abe" Kamlun (Carlo Aquino), a Tausug Muslim man, who, despite his family's opposition of the move, joins the Army nonetheless, and Michael Mendoza (Nash Aguas), a boy who joins the Army to provide for his family.

The series also focuses on their Moro separatist adversaries, led by Saal Alhuraji (Sid Lucero), also known by his nom de guerre Abdul Waajid, who seeks to avenge his father who was killed by the military.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Gerald Anderson as Pfc. Alexander "Alex" Marasigan, PA / Hakeem Alhuraji
Carlo Aquino as Sgt. Abraham "Abe" Kamlun, PA
Vin Abrenica as Capt. Elmer Marasigan, PA
Elmo Magalona as Capt. Jethro Mondejar, PA
Yves Flores as 2nd Lt. Benjamin "Benjie" Arguelles, PA
Jerome Ponce as 2nd Lt. Philip "Phil" Panganiban, PA
Nash Aguas as Sgt. Michael "Striker" Mendoza, PA
Sue Ramirez as Capt. Lourdes "Lourd" Bacalso, PA
Sid Lucero as Saal Alhuraji/Abdul Waajid

Supporting cast

Ariel Rivera as BGen. Victor C. Mondejar, AFP
Rommel Padilla as BGen. Dante G. Marasigan†, AFP
Irma Adlawan as Yasmin Alhuraji/Amarah Alhuraji
Raymond Bagatsing as Col. Melicio Adriano, PA
Mickey Ferriols as Minda Marasigan
Mon Confiado as Lt. Col. Raul R. Lucente, PA
Nikki Valdez as Fatima Alhuraji
Matt Evans as Rasheed Ahmad
Nor Domingo as Col. Virgilio I. Fontiveros, PA
Angelo Ilagan as Pvt. Gregorio "Gorio" Salud
Isay Alvarez as Maysam Kamlun
Jun Hidalgo as Ahmed Kamlun
Claire Ruiz as Grace Valderama
Royce Cabrera as Pvt. Andy Alfonso, PA
Acey Aguilar as Pvt. Jacob Cornejo, PA
Patrick Quiroz/Francis Magundayao as Amir Majul
Charlie Dizon as Isabel Gezali

Guest cast

John Vincent Servilla as Chino Villaverde
Richard Quan as Gov. Amer Gezali
Sammie Rimando as Chloe Gezali
Elora Espano/Shaira Opsimar as Aaliyah Abad
Levi Ignacio as Cong. Shamal Shakiri
Ketchup Eusebio as Cpl. Olan Arguelles, PA
Lito Pimentel as Yosef Alhuraji
Victor Silayan as young Yosef
Manuel Chua as young Victor
Teroy Guzman as Abdul Waajid
Minco Fabregas as Jamal Kamlun
Dionne Monsanto as Atty. Odessa Mariano

Broadcast

The series airs on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel.

On March 16, 2020, despite having already canned its episodes, the show suspended it's airings and its production was put on hiatus due to the 2020 Luzon enhanced community quarantine in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines. Its timeslot was temporarily filled by Wildflower, iWant Originals and Tubig at Langis.

Thereafter, the series future placed in doubt after the ABS-CBN closure, following the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission on account of its franchise expiration. However, the series its return on June 15, 2020, with a brand new season on cable-and-satellite channel Kapamilya Channel.

The series re-aired on Kapamilya Channel's Kapamilya Gold afternoon block, Kapamilya Online Live (since November 1, 2022, replacing Magpahanggang Wakas) and A2Z's Zuper Hapon from January 2 to May 19, 2023, replacing the re-runs of Be My Lady and was replaced by How to Move On in 30 Days and Saying Goodbye.

Reception

Ratings

The series aired nationwide on a cable channel/pay TV, which has a relatively smaller audience compared to other media broadcasters.

Controversies

Depiction of Butuan

The show came under fire early in the show's run for its perceived "unrealistic" and "offensive" depiction of Butuan. The scene in question was from the show's pilot episode showing the bombing of a market in the city. In a statement, Agusan del Norte 1st District Representative Lawrence Fortun asked ABS-CBN “to immediately air an appropriate disclaimer, review and reconsider the content and story elements of the teleserye in order not to further besmirch the reputation of our historic city.”

For its part, ABS-CBN apologized on January 23, 2020. Its statement read: “ABS-CBN would like to apologize to Agusan Del Norte Rep. Lawrence Fortun and the people of Butuan City if the scenes in the TV series ‘A Soldier’s Heart’ have offended them. While the incident portrayed in the series was fictitious, there was mention of the city name.”

“We would like to assure them that there was no deliberate intention to portray Butuan negatively in the show. We acknowledge that Butuan is one of the most beautiful and peaceful cities in the country,” it added.

On January 24, 2020, ABS-CBN executives headed by Cory Vidanes and Laurenti Dyogi met with Fortun to further clear the issue. After said meeting, Fortun noted that aside from airing specific disclaimers, ABS-CBN has removed all production elements, scenes, and references that may be offensive to Butuan.

Side story

On August 19, 2021, RCD Narrative announced on their Twitter account that they will produce the BL side story Philjie’s Heart

Awards and nominations

Nominated for Best Soap/Telenovela in the Venice TV Award 2021
Won for Best TV Series in the 5th GEMS-Hiyas ng Sining Awards
Won for Best Drama Series (National Winner) in the 2020 Asian Academy Creative Awards