"God Gave Me You" is the Holy Wednesday episode of the 2016 edition of the annual drama anthology Eat Bulaga's Lenten Special. The episode aired on 23 March 2016 with a total runtime of 117 minutes.
Each year, the anthology replaces the noontime show's regular programming in observance of the solemnity of Holy Week. Standalone episodes of short dramas are shown from Holy Monday to Holy Wednesday, with each episode having different characters, story, and director.
It is topbilled by Maine Mendoza, Alden Richards, and Jake Ejercito.
Supporting cast includes Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, Michael de Mesa, Ciara Sotto, Kiel Rodriguez, Tommy Peñaflor, Jon Timmons, and Justin Smaby.
The episode is directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal. Its title is based on the 1999 hit single of the same name by American country artist Bryan White, which became the theme song of Kalyeserye for the AlDub loveteam.
Plot
Dani (Maine Mendoza) is a flight attendant who is in a relationship with Matthew (Jake Ejercito), a flight captain. The couple is so busy working on different flights that they only see each other during short breaks when both of them are in Manila.
Matthew’s best friend is the carefree pilot James (Alden Richards). Because of the same busy work schedule, Dani and James have yet to meet. During a night of drinking, Matthew shares his plan with James to propose to Dani. Unfortunately, James gets too drunk and forces Matthew to cover for his shift at the airport the next day. On his way home ready for his proposal, Matthew tragically dies in a fatal car accident.
Blaming himself for Matthew's death, James meets up with his best friend's girlfriend to try to console her. But their closeness grows to attraction, especially since they start spending more time with each other in order to fulfill a list of activities that Matthew had left undone with Dani.
After completing the list, Dani discovers the truth behind James and his connection to Matthew's death. She accuses James of selfishly using her to minimize his feeling of guilt. Dani pushes James away and begins to regret her feelings for him.
James sends Dani flowers and a letter to apologize for his undesired betrayal and selfishness. In the same letter, he reveals how she taught him to live again and confesses his love for her. James prays that she can someday forgive him.
James boards a plane bound for Europe after accepting a job offer. Dani hurriedly runs toward the gate entrance to stop James from boarding, but arrives too late. The plane flies away, leaving Dani in tears.
Three years later, James returns to the Philippines for good. Dani and James see each other at the airport and finally confess their love. In the end, Dani references Kalyeserye’s main message with a voice-over reassuring that someone meant for you will come "sa tamang panahon".
Cast
Main cast
- Maine Mendoza as Daniella "Dani" Tayao
- Alden Richards as James Esteban
- Jake Ejercito as Matthew Montecillo
Supporting cast
- Michael de Mesa as Theo
- Jose Manalo as Frank "Isko" Flores
- Wally Bayola as Lance
- Ciara Sotto as Gerri
- Tommy Peñaflor as flight attendant
- Jon Timmons as flight attendant
Also starring
- Kiel Rodriguez as police officer
- Kristel Arceo as news reporter
- Justin Smaby as flight attendant
- Yutaka Yamakawa as flight attendant
- Rosemarie Santos as flight attendant
Accolades
Dabarkads Awards
Year | Category | Nominated Work/Artist | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Best Story of the Year | "God Gave Me You" | Nominated |
Dabarkads Choice Award | "God Gave Me You" | Won | |
Most Dramatic Performance of a Lead Star | Maine Mendoza | Nominated | |
Alden Richards | Won | ||
Darling of the Screen Award | Maine Mendoza | Won | |
Alden Richards | Nominated | ||
Jake Ejercito | Nominated | ||
Exceptional Performance in a Supporting Role | Jake Ejercito | Nominated | |
Breakthrough Artist of the Year | Jake Ejercito | Nominated |
PMPC Star Awards for Television
Year | Category | Nominated Artist | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Best Single Performance by an Actor | Alden Richards | Nominated |
Best New Male TV Personality | Jake Ejercito | Won |
Notes and trivia
- "God Gave Me You" marks AlDub's first and only Lenten special starring both Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards together. This is also Jake Ejercito's debut performance as an actor.
- Both Maine Mendoza and Alden Richards got the chance to play their dream jobs in this Lenten episode. Maine played the role of a flight attendant, while Alden was given the role of a pilot.
- The episode was replayed in full on Saturday, 18 April 2020. Due to the coronavirus pandemic that resulted in the suspension of all live shows, Eat Bulaga! opted to replay throwback videos of some of its most iconic segments and other special presentations from way back in the past.