A DECADE has passed since the biggest Taiwanese hit telenovela series Meteor Garden (MG) captured the hearts of many Asian people. MG became phenomenal during its airing in Philippine television on 2003. It immediately created a huge wave in pop culture that resulted in a cult following by many who got addicted and who even patronized not only the movie but also the cast who are popularly known as F4. In fact, MG placed fifth in the AGB Nielsen Mega Manila all-time high ratings garnering 63.8 percent.
The show has been re-aired not only once but a number of times in the Philippines, yet people still watched the classic romantic-comedy. No one can really explain how MG conquered the hearts of many. Therefore, Kibitzer asked several people to say their comments regarding the undying Meteor Garden fever. Applemae H. Miego and Shara Ana Castillo, USJ-R Mass Comm Interns
“Ang gugma man gud nakapausab sa attitude sa character. Tinuod jud ang gisulti nga bisan unsa pa ka kadautan og mahigugma ka mausab gyud ka.” –Charlyn Uy Pepito, 19, student
“Ganahan ko nga dili. Ganahan kay makahatag siya og hope sa ubang girls nga wa kaayo’y swerte sa kinabuhi niya nakauyab og dato unya gwapo pa jud. Ang nakabati lang kay layo ra kaayo siya sa tinuod. Kung sa reality impossible jud mahitabo. Bayotan sad ko magtan-aw sa ilang mga buhok” –John Paul Geralla, 24, field support technician
“Ganahan ko kay si Shan Chai has a very strong personality despite sa iyang status sa life. The twist sa character ni Dao Ming Zhi grabe kaayo’g kabag-uhan ang iyang character knowing nga naa na niya tanan aron lang ma-tame niya si Shan Chai” –Theresa Marie T. Vega, 22, student
“I prefer to watch anime.” –Jude Eiane Cortez, 20, student
“Sa una ganahan ko pero pag-airing og balik kay awkward na tan-awon tungod kay lain na kaayo ilang hairstyles and outfits. Nawala na sa uso.” –Angel Mae Bellita, 16, student
“Uso gyud kaayo ang Meteor Garden sa una, oy. Palitan jud ko ni mama og poster ug T-shirt ana. Nisubaybay gyud ko ato.” – Mark Jimuel Castillo, 24, teacher
“Naadik jud ko anang Meteor Garden. Every night ko sige og huna-huna sa mga panghitabo. I downloaded all the theme songs, unya sige ko og search sa mga cast nila.
I followed them all sa social media sites. Basta makadungog kos kanta nga Broken Vow kay mutulo gyud ang akong luha.” –John Dante Obeso, 19, student