18 longest-running ABS-CBN teleseryes

FPJ's Ang Probinsyano
September 2015 - expected to run until 2018

Coco Martin topbills this adaptation of Fernando Poe Jr.'s 1997 film of the same title. It was able to register high ratings on its timeslot that is why it was awarded with several extensions. from 2016 until early 2017.

Since it has been consistent with its ratings, it was announced last April 21 that this series is officially extended until 2018.

Read: Coco Martin-starrer Ang Probinsyano extended until 2018

Doble Kara
August 2015 - February 2017 (1 year and 6 months)

Doble Kara depicted the tale of twins Kara and Sara, played by Julia Montes. The two were separated when they were still young, and were reunited after an accidental meet-up. However, their reunion caused conflicts because they became rivals for the love of one man and their parents.

The success of this show resulted into a six-season extension and it allowed Julia to be dubbed as the new Daytime Drama Queen.

Be Careful With My Heart
July 2012 - November 2014 (2 years and 4 months)

Be Careful With My Heart is the first ABS-CBN teleserye that aired on a morning slot after many years. Starring Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap, the light drama formula of the show allowed it to register primetime-like ratings on its timeslot.

BCWMH, which was originally intended to air for only 13 weeks, was awarded several extensions because of its high ratings. The series ended its run after two years and four months.

May Bukas Pa
February 2009 - February 2010 (1 year)

This religious-themed teleserye featured Zaijian Jaranilla as its main character Santino who can talk to God and call him "Bro."

The series was a success in the ratings game that its original 8-week run was extended for a year. This is the first time after many years that an ABS-CBN program stayed on air for one year.

It Might Be You
December 2003 - December 2004 (1 year)

It Might Be You was the follow-up project of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz after the success of Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay. It showed the story of two childhood friends who eventually became lovers.

Kathryn Bernardo also made a mark in this drama series when she played the younger version of Bea Alonzo's character Cielo.

Basta't Kasama Kita
May 2003 - September 2004 (1 year and 4 months)

Basta't Kasama Kita marks the first teleserye of Robin Padilla and the first action-themed series. In this show, Judy Ann Santos portrayed the policewoman Princess, whose love interest is Ambet, played by Robin.

Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas
May 2003 - July 2004 (1 year and 2 months)

Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas served as the follow-up series of Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa. The story became complicated when the two formed a love square with Angelika dela Cruz and Diether Ocampo.

Because of the popularity of the show, two weddings were shot for the finale of the ABS-CBN teleserye. Through text votes, viewers could choose if Kristine would end up marrying the characters of Jericho or Diether.

In the end, Jericho and Kristine's love team prevailed. The next day, the wedding of Kristine and Diether was aired as a TV special.

Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay
July 2002 - November 2003 (1 year and 4 months)

This teleserye depicted the story of Lorrea (Lorna Tolentino), a woman searching for her missing son Andrei, who grew up to be Yuri (John Lloyd Cruz). Lorrea later on became known as Red Butterfly, a drug lord.

It was also in Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay where the love team of Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz was first formed. This paved the way for them to star in six more teleseryes and a string of box-office hits.

Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka
June 2001 - February 2003 (1 year and 8 months)

Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka marks the first time that Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual were paired in a teleserye.

This pairing came when Piolo played villain to Judy Ann in the shows Esperanza and Gimik, and chemistry was seen between the two of them.

Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka tells the story of Patricia (Judy Ann) and Jordan (Piolo) whose past lives affected their married state.

Recuerdo de Amor
May 2001 - January 2003 (1 year and 10 months)

Recuerdo de Amor is ABS-CBN's afternoon series that was topbilled by Carmina Villarroel and Diether Ocampo.

This show came after Carmina played a villain role in Esperanza, while Diether served as one of Claudine Barretto's leading men in previous projects.

Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan
March 2001 - February 2003 (1 year and 11 months)

Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan is the first teleserye that tackled reincarnation, with Claudine Barretto portraying the characters Angelina (past life) and Angeline (present life). The chosen costumes lent authenticity to the '50s setting of the show.

This is also the teleserye that popularized Mylene Dizon as one of TV's prime villains and established Eugene Domingo as a comedienne.

Pangako Sa 'Yo
November 2000 - September 2002 (1 year and 10 months)

Pangako Sa 'Yo was the first official Pinoy telenovela to use the term teleserye. It became the first drama series to use the same standards as producing movies since it was Star Cinema's first venture into doing TV shows.

This show catapulted the love team of Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa to stardom, with the series being aired in many countries including Malaysia and Cambodia. Pangako Sa 'Yo also created the formidable tandem of Eula Valdes and Jean Garcia who brought life to Amor Powers and Madam Claudia Buenavista, respectively.

In 2015, Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla topbilled the remake of this teleserye that ran for 9 months.

Labs Ko Si Babe
August 1999 - November 2000 (1 year and 3 months)

Jolina Magdangal and Marvin Agustin's love team was put to test on television when they topbilled Labs Ko Si Babe, which is known as the first Filipino romantic-comedy drama.

Saan Ka Man Naroroon
April 1999 - March 2001 (1 year and 11 months)

Saan Ka Man Naroroon featured Claudine Barretto as the triplets Rosenda, Rosario, and Rosemarie Ocampo. This was known as the first soap opera in the Philippines to feature triplets with only one actress playing all three characters.

One iconic scene in the show was the triple wedding of the Ocampo triplets to their respective partners, portrayed by Rico Yan, Diether Ocampo, and Leandro Muñoz.

Marinella
February 1999 - May 2001 (2 years and 3 months)

Marinella is an afternoon soap about three friends Marie (Camille Prats), Rina (Shaina Magdayao), and Ella (Serena Dalrymple) who experienced hardships under Katrina (Rio Locsin).

This was one of the first soap operas to offer a different approach in storytelling by using voice-overs to allow viewers to hear thoughts of the characters.

Currently, the three stars have already parted ways: Camille is in GMA-7, Shaina is still with ABS-CBN, and Serena already went abroad.

Last March 2017, Camille and Shaina had an accidental reunion. This prompted the two to propose a reunion with Serena in the future.

Mula sa Puso
March 1997 - April 1999 (2 years and 1 month)

Mula sa Puso, featuring Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan, was one of the Kapamilya network's most successful soap operas during the '90s.

One of the most unforgettable characters in the series was the villain Selina (Princess Punzalan).

Her most remarkable scene, regarded as an iconic moment in teleserye history, happened when she blew up the bus Via (Claudine) was riding in. Selina sent chills down the spines of viewers when she let out an evil laugh.

This started the tradition of the late director Wenn Deramas to include car explosions in all his teleseryes.

In 2011, Direk Wenn helmed the remake featuring Lauren Young as Via while was cast as Eula Valdes as Selina. However, the remake only ran for 20 weeks.

Esperanza
February 1997 - July 1999 (2 years and 5 months)

Esperanza served as Judy Ann Santos's follow-up drama series after the success of Mara Clara. She portrayed the title role whose character was separated from her mother (Charo Santos-Concio) and siblings (Marvin Agustin and Angelika dela Cruz).

Although Judy Ann was already paired with Wowie de Guzman in previous projects, Esperanza cemented their status as one of the most popular love teams at that time.

Mara Clara
August 1992 - February 1997 (4 years and 6 months)

Considered as the Philippines' longest-running local daily soap opera of all time, Mara Clara catapulted Gladys Reyes and Judy Ann Santos to stardom. The series was about two girls who were switched when they were babies and grew up to become bitter rivals.

Originally an afternoon soap, Mara Clara was moved to the primetime slot in 1996 to be pitted against the Mexican drama Marimar.

A movie version of Mara Clara was released that same year, followed by two other films starring Judy Ann and Gladys.

In June 2016, the cast of Mara Clara had a big reunion 21 years after the show's finale episode.

In 2010, ABS-CBN did a remake of this drama with Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes as lead stars and it aired for 8 months.