GMA-7 and VIVA Television drama series Villa Quintana is regarded as one of the most iconic teleseryes on television.

After all, it was the first-ever soap opera to be aired on primetime television during the ’90s, even before the Mexican drama MariMar premiered on RPN-9 and the hit ABS-CBN afternoon series Mara Clara was moved to the evening slot.

The series was headlined by Donna Cruz and Keempee de Leon, who would become one of the most idolized love teams during the ’90s.

At the time Villa Quintana was conceptualized, Donna was still a budding superstar, and VIVA head honcho Vic del Rosario believed that a soap opera project would further seal her status, as revealed by series creator RJ Nuevas in an episode of The Rewined Podcast.

RJ recalls, “Papasikat noon si Donna Cruz, papasikat pa lang siya. Sabi sa akin, si Boss Vic ang kausap ko nito, ‘Gawan na natin ‘tong si Donna Cruz ng soap opera kasi sisikat yang batang yan.’

“So, pinaisip ako ng kwento. Nagbigay ako ng one-page synopsis, Villa Quintana na ang title. Basta Romeo and Juliet [ang kwento], warring family. Isang rich family versus poor family na may awayan tapos nagka-in love-an yung mga anak anak nila.”

Donna Cruz played the role of Lynette Quintana, the rich heiress of the Quintana clan who later falls for the poor Isagani Samonte, played by Keempee de Leon.

But apparently, Keempee was not the original choice for the role of Isagani.

RJ reveals, “Yung gaganap dati na Isagani, hindi si Keempee de Leon. Dapat yun ay si Lander Vera Perez [na] nandun din [sa show] as pinsan.

“Siya dapat ang leading man ‘tapos I don’t know kung paano nakasama si Keempee, [pero] nagbotohan kami sa room, nagkaroon ng botohan sa office ni Boss Vic. Tapos ang nanalo sa botohan ay si Keempee de Leon.”

Being the first series to air on primetime in the ’90s when most shows of its kind were placed in the afternoon slot, RJ says that it was also Vic del Rosario who wanted to do an experiment on the show’s timeslot.

“Tandang-tanda ko rin si Boss Vic, talagang bilib ako sa vision ni Boss Vic kasi gusto niyang gawin, I cannot remember kung 6:30 or 6:00 p.m. ang Villa Quintana, pero may nagsabi sa kanya, ‘Hindi magre-rate yan diyan kasi oras yan ng news.’

“Sabi ni Boss Vic, ‘Hindi. Magre-rate yan. Panahon na para magkaroon ng soap opera sa gabi.’ Para ang rate din [ng ads] ay panggabi kasi iba ang rate sa hapon, iba ang rate sa gabi.”

The experiment proved to be a right move as Villa Quintana earned its own following and good ratings when it started airing in November 1995.

The controversial ending and the supposed ending of Villa Quintana

[TW: Mention of Suicide]

Villa Quintana was rating well until RPN-9 introduced to the viewing public a new format: the Mexicanovela via the drama series MariMar, starring Mexican actress Thalia.

Filipinos fell in love with the dancing Latina lady that it captivated primetime viewers, causing its rival programs in other networks–including Villa Quintana, to lose some of its viewership.

RJ recalls, “MariMar came along na kumekembot at ang bilis bilis ng pacing. Pag sinabi ni Marimar na pupunta ako sa ganito, ang susunod niyang eksena, nandon na siya sa lugar na yun.

“Sa soap opera kasi sa atin noon, matagal umandar ang kwento. MariMar ang dahilan kung bakit bumaba ang ratings noon ng Villa Quintana. Yun ang tumalo sa Villa Quintana, actually.”

That was when VIVA decided to end the show, but with a twist.

RJ continues, “Dumating ang MariMar at naapektuhan ang ratings namin. Ang sabi ni Boss Vic tapusin na natin yang Villa Quintana pero gagawa tayo ng Villa Quintana: The Movie.

“It was my idea. Ang desisyon, ang ending ng Villa Quintana, magpapakamatay talaga sila, kasi Romeo and Juliet, e.”

“So, ang ending sa TV, nakaplano ang ending ng Villa Quintana sa TV na yun nga, nag-suicide sila. It will end on a Friday. The following week, dapat doon na yung pelikula, ang simula ng pelikula, nakaligtas sila sa suicide nila.

“May script na yun, may plano na mag-shoot [but] for whatever reason, hindi natuloy ang shooting. Hindi ko alam. Baka may ibang project na si Donna, I don’t know pero yun ang totoong kwento kung bakit ganun ang ending ng Villa Quintana.”

Reports came out at the time that the Villa Quintana movie, among other upcoming films by VIVA, was shelved due to the rise and popularity of sexy movies.

The movie version was supposed to be a retelling of the show’s main plot and a continuation where Lynette and Isagani’s characters are alive.

RJ explains, “Ang kwento lang, kasi mas maikli ang movie, it will open na nakaligtas sila sa suicide, dinala sa ospital, and since it’s a movie, konting flashback noong pinag-awayan kung bakit may away ang family na ito.

“‘Tapos pagtalon, away-away pa rin pero it will be resolved, it will end in a wedding ni Lynette at Isagani.”

When they found out that the movie was shelved, the Villa Quintana team even hoped to extend the show for one more week just to tie loose ends.

“Noong hindi natuloy ang movie, nag-propose pa kami na mag-extend pa ng one week para lang isara. E, hindi na pumwede yung ganitong artista, hindi na pumwede yung ganitong artista.

“Mukhang hindi naisara pero nagkaroon siya ng ending na kakaiba.”

Indeed, the ending of Villa Quintana would become one of the most unforgettable scenes on Philippine TV.

To know more about the story behind the making of Villa Quintana, watch RJ Nuevas’ The Rewined Podcast guesting here: