ISA SA mga television shows na nagpatingkad sa 60 years ng ABS-CBN ay ang Taiwanese series na Meteor Garden. Sino ang hindi makakaalala kina Shan Cai, Dao Ming Si, Hua Ze Lei, Mei Zuo, at Xi Men? Sila ang mga karakter na nagpakilig at nagpatibok sa puso ng sambayanan dahil sa kakaibang love story na hatid ng Meteor Garden.
Meteor Garden was adapted from the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango. It was first shown in 2003 at umabot ang ratings nito ng halos higit 50%. It’s a poor girl meets rich boy story. Sentro ng kuwento si Shan Cai na mula sa isang mahirap na pamilya. Nag-aaral siya sa Ying De University na kung saan pawang mayayaman ang mga estudyante. Her life changed when she crossed paths with F4 – four rich, handsome but haughty guys who are heirs of their family’s businesses. Eventually, she fell in love with its leader, Dao Ming Si.
Naging daan ang series para mas makilala pa ng husto ng mga Pinoy fans ang mga artista sa likod ng mga kinakikiligang karakter. Pinoys went gaga over Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Ken Zhu, Vanness Wu, and Barbie Hsu. Nakailang beses silang bumisita sa bansa para magperform sa mga sold-out concerts. At kahit sa airport ay hindi nagkamayaw ang mga fans sa pagsalubong sa Taiwanese superstars.
Isa si Bianca Gonzalez sa mga celebrity fans ng mga Asianovelas. Kuwento niya, “Tumitigil ang mundo kapag Meteor Garden na. Lahat ng tao sa office kailangang umuwi ng maaga. The moment na lumabas iyong Meteor Garden at Boys Over Flowers, talagang na-hook ako sobra. Para sa akin, nagbibigay ng kilig, kumukurot sa puso.”
Mula noon at hanggang ngayon ay patok pa rin ang Meteor Garden. Nagkaroon ito ng Japanese version (Hana Yori Dango) at Korean version (Boys Over Flowers). What makes the Taiwanese series click? I asked some fans and here are their answers:
Meisha Chan – MG was the first Asianovela that caught my attention which started my addiction to Asian series. The F4 guys, especially Jerry Yan, look really good! Maraming memorable scenes ang MG gaya ng cruise scene (Dao wearing red long sleeves and getting jealous of Lei), Shan Cai getting the red card and was bullied by the students, Dao wearing an Astroboy shirt, the piano scene of Shan Cai, at nang bigyan ni Lei ng panyo si Shan Cai.
Shinji Lopez – Meteor Garden has changed the viewing habits of Pinoys. It was a breath of fresh of air from the usual themes on tv. Plus factor were the chinky eyed guys of F4. Dahil sa kanila kaya ako nagka-interes mag-aral ng Mandarin. Pinanood ko ang mga concerts nila, bought shirts, magazines, albums, posters featuring F4. I even went abroad just to see them! Until now, I am a big fan. Memorable scenes were the birthday party of Dao where Shan Cai gave him burnt cookies, the basketball scene where Lei protected SC much to Dao’s chagrin, noong nagbreakdown si Dao in-front of Mei Zuo and Xi Men because he thought Shan Cai and Lei were dating, when Dao rescued SC from the bullies. Actually, the list is endless.
Miyaka Jerry – Nakakakilig ang MG. Super cute ng mga guys at light ang story. Hindi mo aakalaing mahu-hook ka sa kwento. Dahil sa series kaya ako nag-aral ng Mandarin at pumunta sa Hong Kong to watch F4’s concert. Maraming moments ang series gaya ng hinabol ni DMS sa bus si SC, nang umiyak si DMS dahil heartbroken siya, birthday party ni DMS, nang bigyan ni DMS si SC ng necklace while watching meteor shower on the telescope.
La Mae Parreno – I was really hooked when Meteor Garden was aired. It was fresh sa paningin ng tao, fresh new hot guys with fresh type of hairstyles, fresh story at siyempre iyong kilig factor kakaiba. Iyong love story ni Dao Ming Si at Shan Cai was not the typical love story na usual natin nakikita sa movies at tv series. The friendship of F4 was also inspiring. My favorite scene was when Dao saved Shan Cai from her kidnappers. It has been 10 years since MG was a phenomenon but until now hindi siya nakakasawang panoorin and F4 is a legend that I know everyone can’t forget dahil sa bagyong dinala nila sa Pilipinas. I’m so happy and proud that I am still a Meteor Garden avid fan and still updated about F4!
Rhoda Giron – Nagustuhan ko ang MG kasi new theme for the viewers after Mexican/Venezuelan drama series. It’s a light story but I found it cute. Nakakaaliw subaybayan. Marami silang mga words of wisdom that I still remember and sometimes adopt. Siyempre pa, very handsome silang apat most specially si Jerry Yan! Among the memorable scenes were noong nag-inuman sina Dao, Ximen, at Mei Zuo tapos umiyak si Dao sa sink at noong nag-uusap sina Dao at SC na ang nakapagitan sa kanila ay isang pintuan.
Eve Cerna – Before MG started in the Philippines, I knew F4 was already popular in Asia. Umpisa pa lang uber excited na ako to watch it and then I got hooked. I love the story, the new faces, the new look. It was fun, magaan iyong story and exciting ang bawat episode kaya naman buong bayan ang tumutok at nagmahal sa series. Until now, wala pa ring nakakatalo sa phenomenon na ibinigay ng Meteor Garden. As to my fave scenes? Marami, isa na iyong nilagyan ni SC ng F4 tag sa noo ni Dao. Nakaka-miss ang MG! It’s been 10 years now and iba pa rin ang effect ng MG but most of all, I gained a lot of friends because of this series.
Kaibigan, usap tayo muli!
Points of Boy
by Boy Abunda
