“Little Nanay”: A happy family-oriented series despite its delicate subject on intellectual disability
by Leony R. Garcia
What do you do when you find out that your child has intellectual disability (ID)? Or how do you relate to someone with ID in the family?
This is what GMA Network’s latest primetime offering, “Little Nanay,” is all about. Instead of wallowing in despair or disappointment in having an intellectual disabled member, the family works together and supports her, in this case Tinay (played by Kris Bernal), with love and dedication.
In replacement of “My Faithful Husband” which ended last week, the Kapuso station opened the inspiring story of Little Nanay that will surely bring a new flavor to the primetime habit of the viewers as it aims to promote compassion and love for all.
This writer, who supports advocacies for the welfare of children and the youth, made it a point to watch the pilot episode. And my verdict? The Batongbuhay family led by no less than the country’s superstar as Lola Annie and the equally versatile actor Bembol as Loloy Berto were right in bringing up Tinay by dealing with the situation heads on and at the same time looking to the brighter side of life.
In a particular scene, Lolay Annie was explaining to her neighbor that Tinay is not retardate but is intellectually disabled and she is attending a special school for children like her. That was commendable. Something the real world – which in general is judgmental – could learn from.
According to medical books, Intellectual disability is characterized by below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living. People with intellectual disabilities can and do learn new skills, but they learn them more slowly. There are varying degrees of intellectual disability, from mild to profound.
In Tinay’s case, she is 25 years old but has the mental age of a nine-year old. Tinay was orphaned at an early age and when the Batongbuhays discovered her special condition, they had her treated with no positive results.
Little Nanay is a happy family-oriented series despite its delicate subject matter. Aside from the Batongbuhay family of Tinay, adding color and some complexities to the TV drama are the San Pedro and Vallejo clans.
Aside from Aunor and Roco, Tinay’s fun-loving Batongbuhay family is composed of Peter Parker (Mark Herras), the eldest grandson, who harbors a practical personality, and Bruce Wayne (Juancho Triviño), the middle child, who dreams to become a celebrity one day. Meanwhile, Lolay Annie is a cool and hip lola who is still active in the band scene and Loloy Berto, a retired Major, opts to stay home to care for his family.
Living next to them is the San Pedro Family. Edgar San Pedro (Keempee de Leon) and his wife Vivian (Gladys Reyes) dedicate their time in spoiling their only son Archie (Hiro Peralta). Archie is Tinay’s childhood best friend and personal superhero.
As they grow up, Archie takes the role of being one of Tinay’s older brothers. But one day when a slur of confused emotions got the best of him, something happened between Archie and Tinay. As a result, Lola Annie wants to file a rape case against Archie. Vivian and Edgar convinced Lola Annie and Lolo Berto to allow Archie to marry Tinay. Unfortunately after the wedding, Vivian and Edgar will take Archie to the States where he will meet Beatrice (Winwyn Marquez).
Tinay will give birth to a beautiful girl, and she will name her Chiechie (Chlaui Malayao). Unlike her mom, Chiechie will seem mature for her age. She is smart. This motivates the entire Batongbuhay family to keep on guiding Tinay in being a mother to Chiechie.
With the help of her grandmother, Tinay raises her daughter Chie-Chie, who also becomes a “Little Nanay” as she reciprocates the care of her childlike mother.
Unknown to all of them, another part of their family struggles to find Tinay. Tinay’s maternal grandfather, Don Miguel Vallejo (Eddie Garcia) is a wealthy man, and has been looking for her. However, his daughter Helga (Sunshine Dizon) will try to impede Don Migz’ efforts to find Tinay.
Kris Bernal admits to having the most challenging role in Little Nanay and is overwhelmed with the support of the industry’s best drama performers. In fact during the press conference of the new show, Kris had mixed emotions. She was giggling one moment and she began sobbing as she revealed how scared she was over the last few weeks of taping, thinking she would be taken out of the show at any time.
Aunor for her part was more than willing to support the young actress and the rest of the drama artists knowing how hardworking they are in their crafts and how happy working in the Kapuso station. As they say, Happy lang!
