Via (Claudine Barretto), the only daughter of Don Fernando (Juan Rodrigo), was raised as his darling princess. On her eighteenth birthday, she found out that her father has promised her hand in marriage to her childhood friend, Michael (Diether Ocampo), and before the birthday party was over, she got kidnapped. She was rescued by a good Samaritan named Gabriel (Rico Yan), whom she fell in love with. Michael, at the latter part of the story, became romantically involved with Via's best friend, Trina (Rica Peralejo). As the story unfolds, Via ended up having to decide between the two men in her life, while learning more about her mother Magda (Jaclyn Jose) and fighting off her evil aunt Selina (Princess Punzalan).
In the story, Selina was one of the most influential characters, due to her desire to acquire the power and wealth of Don Fernando, her brother. She possesses intelligence in illegal tactics that made her stronger and she used people in order to manipulate them when a bus bombing in the departure of Via and her family to start a new life began. Via lived a new identity but came back to her family, and they all faced Selina one last time in dignity and Via restored peace in her family.
The series title was based on the theme song which was sung by Jude Michael composed by Vehnee Saturno as the original acoustic version on television from PolyCosmic Records in 1997. Roselle Nava sang the movie version in 1999. The song was re-released in 2010 as part of 60 Taon ng Musika at Soap Opera. In 2011, for the remake used a version by Jovit Baldivino. Zsa Zsa Padilla's version from 1987 is used as well often in the series.
Ratings
The series became consistent in its story plot so it was well received by the public. Its pilot episode in 1997 was 37.9%, the highest rating was 53.7% in 1998, while the average was 45.2%. Ratings are provided by AGB Nielsen Philippines.
Film
In 1999, the series was adapted into a film, alongside another hit soap Esperanza. The film versions of Mula sa Puso and Esperanza were released on February 10, 1999, with the latter film being re-released later that year as part of the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival which premiered on December 25, 1999.
Differences between the series and the movie
Jennifer (Shaina Magdayao) and Connie (Janice de Belen) were introduced early in the series, with Jennifer being Ysmael and Connie's daughter. However, the movie version did not include either character.
Criselda, Via's late stepmother, was played by Snooky Serna in the series and by Eula Valdes in the movie. Valdes later portrayed Selina in the remake.
In the series, Ysmael (Efren Reyes Jr.), Selina's husband, is always manipulated by her. However, in the movie, they are portrayed as equal partners who plot together against Via and Don Fernando.
Elena (Gina Alajar) was hired by Selina and Ysmael to pretend to be Via's mother, but the movie did not feature that character.
Nicole (Anna Larrucea) was shot and killed in both the movie and the series, but by different people: Manuel (Eric Quizon) in the series and Abdon (Carlos Morales) in the movie. In both versions, she was protecting someone when she died: Jennifer in the movie and Via in the series.
Manuel was a serial killer in the series, but he appears as a guest at the wedding scene. It's likely that his character in the movie is not a serial killer.
In both the movie and the TV series, Abdon (played by Ricardo Cepeda in the series and Carlos Morales in the movie) is killed by Selina after he places a time bomb in a money case. However, the reasons for his murder differ: in the series, Abdon blackmails Selina, while in the movie, he kills her daughter Nicole.
In the series, Gilbert (Jay Manalo) was Gabriel's (Rico Yan) first rival for Via's (Claudine Barretto) love, while in the movie, Michael (Diether Ocampo) was Gabriel's first and only rival for her affection.
In the series finale, Selina (Princess Punzalan) was hit by a 10-wheeler truck, resulting in her death. In the movie, she died in a car crash that led to an explosion after being punched and knocked down by Via, preventing her from escaping the vehicle.
After the success of the remake of Mara Clara during the first quarter of the year, ABS-CBN announced and aired the remake of Mula Sa Puso which premiered on March 28 to August 12, 2011.[2]
References
^Mula sa Puso, June 17, 2021, retrieved June 17, 2021
