"Para akong magde-debut," said ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio as she greeted each member of the press who attended the media junket prepared for the 18^th anniversary of Maalaala Mo Kaya.

For almost two decades, the longest-running drama anthology has inspired the Filipinos with its heart-warming stories from different letter-senders around the country. Ms. Charo said proudly that all MMK episodes have been based on real stories. 

She stated, "We only feature true-to-life stories sa Maalaala Mo Kaya, that's the brand essence of MMK. And we have stayed true to the equity of the program. Ang mga researchers natin, ang mga writers natin, aside from reading the letters that we received, ay pumupunta sa iba't ibang lugar sa Pilipinas [to get stories]."

She also acknowledged these stories for the success of the program. Ms. Charo said, "Sa palagay ko, with all modesty, our stories have continued to touch the lives of our viewers. These are true-to-life human experiences that resonate with the viewers. 

"Maraming aral silang napupulot, nai-inspire sila. Hindi ba, minsan kapag may nakikita kang kuwento ng kapitbahay mo, o ng kaibigan mo, na mas mahirap ang pinagdadaanan, it alleviates your own suffering. I think that's one of the secrets why this program has stayed this long."

Maalaala Mo Kaya Creative Head and Director Olivia Lamasan agreed with the show's host. She added another reason for the program's long life in spite of changes in its timeslot:

"In a birthday, napag-usapan na siguro dapat mag-fold na ang MMK, matanda na, et cetera, you know, it's running for the longest time. But, you know, it's precisely the reason that Charo said, 'Patuloy ang kuwento ng mga tao.' Kaya hindi matapus-tapos ang mga kuwento ng MMK. It really is a venue where we can air the stories of the people.'

Ms. Charo also added that Maalaala Mo Kaya imparts the value of  humility when one sees how others bravely face their trials. 

"Kapag nagbabasa ka talaga ng mga sulat, ng mga kuwento ng buhay nila, mamangha ka kung papaano nila nalalagpasan ang lahat ng kanilang mga pinagdadaanan pagsubok. 'Yong akala mo ang galing-galing mo na, ang tibay mo na, but when you read about other people's story—what they're going through, how they survive—it would be so humble.  Alam mo 'yon, parang 'Diyos ko, bakit pa ba ako nagre-reklamo?' Wala na talagang rason para mag-reklamo. Talagang nakakamangha ang tibay ng dibdib ng ating mga Kapamilya."

MONTH-LONG CELEBRATION. For its 18^th anniversary, Maalaala Mo Kaya collaborates with The Filipino Channel (TFC), which celebrates its 15^th anniversary, to present four of the five special episodes that will be aired next month.

For its first installment on August 1, Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas and young actress Erich Gonzales give life to the inspiring story of a mother and daughter.

"Letter po 'yan last year noong nanggaling kami sa Catbalogan City, Samar.  Tiyempo rin kasi kailangan din namin ng kuwento ng isang debutante at siya po yung nahanap namin at pinuntahan," said Rhoda dela Cerna, executive producer of Maalaala Mo Kaya.

On the next Saturdays of August, MMK will feature local artists who are now based in the U.S. 

Prospero Luna, Joji Isla, Lucita Soriano, Louella Albornoz worked with Noel Trinidad and Nanding Josef to relate a story about Pinoy war veterans living in the U.S. This story will be shown on August 8.

For the August 15 episode, former actress Giselle Toengi teams up with Ryan Eigenmann to play a young immigrant couple who experience hardship as they try to make a new life in the States.