The Concert fever

In the last episode, Patricia warned Silvia against Ricardo. In this episode Ricardo started denying it but Patricia still insisted on his insincerity so Silvia had to stop the arguement. Patricia left in anger and Ricardo quickly brought the ring he bought for her to show that he is not an opportunist as Patricia claims. Surprisingly, Silvia believed all his lies and did not throw him out of her apartment. They went hand in hand to the gym. Eduardo showed up and met them together. Ricardo even had the gut to warn him that they are not paying him all that salary to come late to work. When they left, Luis asked if he was jealous and he says no but he felt responsible for Silvia falling into the trap of a worse opportunist.
Catalina and Luisa confronted Adela on the stolen money and she accepted she had to give it to Ricardo. She said wooing Silvia is more important than a stupid concert. Liusa and Catalina were disappointed but what else can they do. They decided to go see Alicia to borrow money for the concert ticket. Adela left for a meeting with her supposed rich friends without showing remorse for her stealing saying she always has to do the think for the whole family.
On their way out, they met Sebastian and Martina. Sebastian quickly asked to speak to Catalina so Luisa left for Alicias while Martina went into the room. Sebastian is willing to give their marriage a trial again. He says they should talk about their future but Jessica came in to spoil the moment. When Catalina left, Sebastian told Jessica straight that he wants to go back to Catalina so she should not have ideas about them being together. Jessica denied having any romantic feelings towards him but advice him to be careful of Catalina in order not to be hurt again. Meanwhile she is scheming on how to destroy the reunion.
Alverlo, the lawyer of Sebastian went to see ChuChu to brief him on the deal with Carmelo. Romero came in then and asked the Lawyer to describe this sick old man called Panchito that he met that night in Carmelo's apartment in the city. The description matched the profile of Lupe. In fact Chuchu says Jessica should know something about it. Romero left for the concert in the city. Meanwhile Antoniete confronted Carmelo on her suspicion of him. This made Carmelo to seek his accomplice's advice. Of course Marcelo advised him to kill Lupe but Carmelo's love for him is the saving grace. Antoniete warned the maid not to discuss her dead child with anyone in the town.
In the so called lunch meeting of Adela with her high society ladies, she quarrelled with Kiki over the auctioning of children for riches or marrying off a child for wealth.
At Alicia's, the little coins Luisa had was collected to add to pay the gas man. Because of this, Luisa could not ask Alicia for money. When Catalina came she told Alicia what their mother did. Luis came in and told them that the ticket is sold out. With no money and ticket sold out, Catalina came up with another option. of sneaking into the concert.
At the concert venue, the Boom Boys came out to see their fans but one of them was interested in only seeing Martina. On sighting her, he went in and disguised in order to get closer to her. At that moment Martina leant and kissed Romero but he still went and greeted them. He was not jealous.
Catalina, Luisa and Alicia left for the concert. At the venue, they gatecrashed through the restricted area. The other two had scaled through but Catalina was caught. One of the Boom Boys who was going out to get something in the car saved them. They had a VIP position on the stage.
What a twist of fate.

Guadalupe recovering

While in Mexico, Lupe had started having visions of Sebastian calling him father but his captors tried shutting him up. Carmelo keeps confusing him that he is his only son.
In order not to give them away with his stubborn attitude and reactions, Lupe was brought back to the Ranch to be kept in Marcelo's place because its rarely visited by the town folks. They have started injecting him with drugs to completely wipe away his memory but once in a while, when the drug wears away, he remembers that he has two children called Sebastian and Catalina. In this episode, when his memory came back, Marcelo injected him again and he slept off. But how long will he be kept on drugs? Not for long anyway because Marcelo had to tie him up while he is away.
Carmelo is being suspected by the town folks of killing or kidnapping Guadalupe but he so far has not given himself away. When speaking to Romero in the Cantina, he let it slip that Guadalupe is still alive by referring to him in the present. When Romero became suspicious, he became angry saying he is not the one to be blamed for Guadalupe's death but Sebastian who made him angry and drove him to his death. Romero is not giving up. He warned him that he will watch him throughout because he seems to have something to do with Lupe's death.
Emilia went to see her lover Marcelo and confronted him on why he does not want her inside his apartment but he gave a flimsy excuse. Anyway, Emilia went there for the usual satisfaction of her desires so she did not pursue the issue of not being allowed into the apartment more than the river side (their love nest). When Marcelo told Emilia that he is capable of anything even killing for her, she seized the opprtunity to ask for the elimination of Catalina. Well, Marcelo is not as foolish as Sebastian. He told her that he may be foolishly in love with her but definitely not stupid. He knows if he kills Catalina, then he will loose Emilia to Sebastian because she is desperately in love with him. Emilia became angry saying she is not in love with him but just enjoys the passion they share.
This sets Marcelo thinking of his own share of the money from the inheritance. He hopes to live big to force respect from the town folks and make Emilia falls in love with him.
Ricardo is still leaving out his dream of seducing Silvia but she is actually the one using him to make Eduardo jealous. Unfortunately, Silvia is eliciting pity from him and not jealousy.
Patricia could not wait on the side line and not try to help her friend Silvia from making another terrible mistake of going ahead with the relationship with Ricardo. She went to Silvia's apartment to tell her about Ricardo double dating her with Martina. Ricardo vehemently denied it saying he loves only grown women and Silvia can attest to it. What a lying and scheming bastard. Will Silvia throw him out or believe him?
Luisa is looking for the money to go buy the ticket for the Boom Concert but the money has developed wings and gone. She searched everywhere and decided to accuse Martina of taking the money. Luckily, Martina has gone out with Sebastian for breakfast. After futile search, Catalina remembers the ring with Ricardo the leech and their mother being in the room the day Luisa was keeping the money safe for the concert ticket. so they went to Adela's room to confront her.

Playing detectives

It was agreed that Romiro should go back to the town to find out if Panchito came to mexico city and is actually staying with Carmelo. Romiro got home and behold Panchito was in his house. When he narrated the story that Sebastian's lawyer saw an old man called Panchito and the old man was sick, Rufina suspected that that man could be Guadalupe. Which means what Antoniete has been saying is true that Lupe is alive.
Romiro and Panchito left the house for a drink at the Catina. At the Catina when Romiro informed them that Catalina has agreed to marry Carmelo. Seferino, the catina owner decided to accuse Catalina of being an accomplice to the death of Lupe. Seferino's suspicion was borne out of the fact that Catalina is a gold digger and can do anything for money. He went on to say that during that trial marriage with Sebastian, Catalina got to know that Carmelo was the heir to Lupe's fortune so she convinced Carmelo to kill him in exchange for marriage to her. What an imagination!. Imagine accusing Catalina of killing for money. ITs so sad that the whole village think that of Catalina just because of Adela inordinate ambition.
Panchito cautioned him and said that Catalina is a decent and trustworthy person but Seferino cut in saying she has not proven her virtues to the town folks. Luckily Romiro did not believe him. They both advised Seferino not to go to town with such story but keep it to himself.
Romiro and Panchito decided to pay Marcelo a visit since they were told by Seferino that he is back in town.
Meanwhile, Carmelo was dying to break the good news to Marcelo that Catalina has agreed to marry him. Marcelo was having problem using the new hand set but eventually came to it.
Poor Catalina, she is a trophy that seems to go to the highest bidder. What a life. When she told Alicia of her plan to marry Carmelo for Sebastian happiness, she was angry with her. Why would she be living her life to please others. First it was her mother and now Sebastian but she was determined to go ahead with it. She pleaded with her friend to understand why and support her.
Ricardo went to the gym feeling cool with himself but Luis knocked the arrogance away from him. He was querying Luis for coming late and reminded him that he is going to be his new boss but Luis told himto save his nonsense because at that moment Silvia was in the house begging Eduardo not to divorce her but to give her another chance. I loved the look of disappointment and shame on Ricardo's face.
Romiro and Panchito got to Marcelo's place and told him they have found Guadalupe's body. The episode ended here.

Catalina accepts Carmelo's marriage proposal

Catalina gave conditions for her marriage to Carmelo. Carmelo will not touch her or will she sleep with him and he will hand over the titled documents of the Ranch to Sebastian and Martina. He accepted but gave his own conditions too. One condition was that Catalina will behave like a loving and devoted wife when they are with people and two, allow him to kiss her to seal the negotiation. It was a tough thing to do allowing someone as despicable and horrible and even a rapist ( He almost raped Catalina if not for the timely intervention of Panchito) to kiss you but she had to. It was funny watching Carmelo trying to force her lips apart to kiss her. What an ugly scene. As if that humiliation was not enough, he left her wiping her lips with the back of her hand and went to the door, opened it and asked her to leave but to ensure everything is ready for the wedding in two days time.
On her way home she saw Ricardo buying flowers for Sylvia. Ricardo showed her a little gift that he has bought too. Knowing he has no money, Catalina asked where he got the money from. He told her he got the money from the sale of their mother wine glasses but did not mention that Adela stole Luisa's concert money. Since Catalina was battling with her problems and was told Emilia is in the penthouse with Sebastian, she went to Alicia's instead.
Antoniette and Josepha came to the city to look for Lupe. They went to see Carmelo but he has moved Guadalupe back to Carmelo's place on the ranch
On getting Luis message, Eduardo went to see him and was told of Sylvia plea for him to come back but he refused. While doing the laundry, Sylvia came to see him pleading that she will not be jealous anymore and will control her embarrassing reaction but he still refused to change his mind. He only agrees to continue working in the gym and not abandon her business no matter what.
Sebastian at last told Jessica that they are not dating or going to get married so the pretense should stop. She tried saying that they could come to loving each other but sebastian told her that he still loves Catalina and cannot love another woman. He needed to clear that so that Jessica would not get a wrong impression about thier relationship which is just friendship. When Romiro left, Sebastian was alone pondering what to do when Martina advises him to go back to Catalina because she too still loves him even though she knows he has nothing now. Jessica realises she has to do something so she went to see Carmelo asking for the Ranch. Carmelo told him the ranch is what he is exchanging for Catalina's marriage to him. The two evil minds decided to use that to their advantage. Jessica is to tell Sebastian that she is the one that went to plead with Carmelo to return the ranch to him while for Carmelo, people will think Catalina married him for his money. Poor Catalina! Every good intention was always twisted around by all except Alicia and her Luisa. Thank God Luisa has snapped out of the opportunistic person like her mother and brother.
The showdown between Emilia and Jessica over Sebastian was imminent. Emilia says Jessica is as opportunistic as Catalina and very soon Sebastian will know who she truly is. Jessica countered by saying she lost out to her because she is the one Sebastian wants. She ordered her to leave because she is a pest. Emilia says she is the only one who has been honest with Sebastian. That is true.

Guadalupe Mendoza ever trusting

It was trust that brought Lupe to the point of death.
He trusted Carmelo to a fault. In fact, he almost hated his own son because of the love and trust he had in this boy that was raised in his ranch and now grew up to become his foreman. If he had heeded the warning and advice of all, he would have not lost his memory and become dependent on Carmelo. It was pride that drove him there. Pride on not admitting that he was wrong about Catalina when he observed that she truly loves her son. He was so blind to Carmelo's fault that he called his son and Catalina liars when they reported his indecent behaviour to Catalina to him.
Well the love that Carmelo has for him saved him when Marcelo wanted to end his life close to the river that night he fell and hit his head on the stone. Carmelo is evil but kind of loves him as a father .
ITs that sick love that is still sustaining Lupe in the city. When Lupe started being stubborn and insistence on going out and not locked up, it is Carmelo's love that is saving him. Severally, Marcelo, his accomplice keeps telling himthe way out is kill Lupe. Now Lupe is regaining his memory and this is dangerous to them.

The Negretes

Catalina has gotten to a point where she needs her father to be strong and talk to Adela to leave her alone to sort out her love life that is in a mess presently. What with a divorced and former husband who is still hanging around her and her former lover who is not willing to let her be. Her brother was making matter worse by pursuing Sylvia when he knows its only Eduardo that she loves and lives for.

Her mother has decided to make her life unbearable until she marries Carmelo, the new rich guy on the block. Ricardo advised her to marry Carmelo if she wants him to stop fooling around with Sylvia. With all that was happening, Gustavo decided to have a talk with the wife. Well the moment of truth has come for the Negretes.

He threatened her with divorce. For once he insisted he would leaveAdela. Initially Adela thought Gustavo was joking but when he left her at the penthouse back to Alicias', she sat up. No matter the threat, Adela greed and ambition to be rich and show off to her friends will blind her and deafened her to the sound of reasons. Adelas' glamorous lifestyle will not let her heed her husband's warning. Adela only think about herself. She is selfish and self gentred.
Ricardo is worse. Cannot imagine a young, strong and active man loafing around doing nothing but thinking and scheming how to be rich or live off wealthy ladies. Thank God, Catalina rescues her younger sister before she follows her mother and brother.




Gustavo decided to have a talk with the wife.

Ricardo the loverboy

Ricardo Negrete is fast turning into the loverboy. He sets out to seduce Sylvia by turning on his charm. Sylvia rejected this and even used the flower to hit him severally on the head. Was he discouraged? No.
Flower seduces and he is ready to borrow to continue supplying Sylvia with flowers until she falls for him. What he did not realise is that their family is known by all to be opportunists that are always taking advantage of people and their weaknesses. If he and Sylvia had met under a different circumstances, the shift to him from Eduardo would have been immediate because Sylvia is weak and always looking for younger men to seduce.
Eduardo initially thought money can replace true love but he was wrong. What he felt for Sylvia was passion and by the time it wears off, the yearning for true love became unbearable. It was made worse by Sylvia's nagging and jealousy. He went back to Catalina but she told him to forget her because Sebastian is her only love. Eduardo told his best friend Luis that its only Catalina's love that matters and he will do everything to win her back.
When he broke off with Sylvia, Ricardo was in the background. As soon as he left, Ricardo fenced off Patricia, Sylvia's friend so that she will think he is the only friend around. Although Patricia had warned her against Ricardo, she just needed a man around. Some women are like that. They need a man around to make them feel fulfilled and important.
Ricardo practically relocated to Sylvia's apartment when Eduardo moved out to keep her company and to make Eduardo jealous.
Together, Sylvia and Ricardo went to the gym to make Eduardo jealous but he was not. Even when he was told the gym would be taken from him, he was not moved. To him nothing matters except Catalinas' love.
Ricardo, the loverboy is succeeding because he and Sylvia spent the night together.

Catalina's hard decision

Sebastian truly loves Catalina but the calamity that has befallen the Mendoza's family since meeting and falling in love with her is bringing this feeling into questions. Also the hawks that surround him in the guise of friends are making him doubt his feelings for Catalina and even her sincere love for him. With a friend like Jessica, one does not need an enemy. Why disinherit a friend just to get back at a foe? I still find this kind of love hard to believe.
After Adela's tutorials on being a refined gentleman, she advised Carmelo to give the ranch back to Sebastian so that Sebastian can leave the penthouse and Catalina for him. They both went back to the penthouse to throw Sebastian out but met a full house. Jessica cautioned Carmelo that the fact that Petra switched the babies does not mean he is more Lupe's son than Sebastian so he should not be mean. While leaving Carmelo said everything is his and even Catalina would soon be his wife. Catalina told him in front of everyone that she will never be his. Sebastian was so happy that he turned her around to confirm and probably kiss her when Jessica dragged him away for a walk. Jessica confesses to Martina that she loves Sebastian and will do everything as a friend to help him. She said she will not pressure him like Emilia but will wait patiently for him to get over Catalina. She has a long wait ahead of her.
Witnessing the display of affection between Catalina and Sebastian, Jessica decides to use that undying love to blackmail Catalina.
Jessica finally got Catalina to agree to see Carmelo and convince him to retun the ranch to Sebastian and Martina the true children of Lupe and Maltilda Mendoza. Before talking to Catalina, she had spoken to Carmelo and advised Carmelo to accept Adela suggestion of returning the ranch to Sebastian in order to get Catalina. She told him that Catalina is still in love with Sebastian and will do anything to get him back though they are divorced. Carmelo had his doubt but Jessica was sure she can convince Catalina because she has witnessed the love play and undercurrent between the two lovers in the penthouse. Catalina accepts to go see Carmelo but first went to Sebastian's room and he could not hold back than to express his love for her. They temporarily forgot they are divorced and gave in to their feelings for each other. As usual, their happiness was shortlived with foes masquerading like friends intruding and ending it.
Alicia, her true friend advised against going to see Carmelo for whatever reason so that she does not fall into his trap but she was determined to go in order to get the ranch and give it back to Sebastian, her love.

Salvador left the ranch

When Salvador's neighbour came to threaten him and his family with machete, sticks and other tools, he had to quickly think up something to disarm them. He knew he and his family cannot confront them so he quickly came up with an idea. It was that idea that saved him and his family from being beaten up and finally decided his next move.
He excused the mob and ran into the shack and came up with an old newsprint. Since the peasants cannot read, he told them that that was a title deed on the land given by the government attesting to their ownership of the land. To confirm what he has just said, the leader of the team who is the father of his 'arch enemy' gave him a letter written by the daughter to read. He read and interpreted the content to them. Apparently, somebody else had interpreted the same thing so when Salvador did it, the man concluded that it is not the same Salvador Cirenza that they know. He forced his children and the others that had come to attack them to leave. Cantalicia could not take it anymore. She rushed into the house and went straight to the altar to pray to the Virgin for protection from this strange man.
Salvador not knowing what was wrong with her just came in and started reading the old newspaper. Because the paper was an old one, he laughed to himself that if the people had known how to read, then he and the others would be sorry by now oblivious to the fright that Cantalicia was feeling.
Later, he realised that Cantalicia was running away from him so he asked and she confirms it that she is scared of him. That prompted him to make a decision to leave the ranch for good.
On leaving the ranch, he went to LIly for help. The sex- starved Lily was ready to use what she has (money) to get what she want but Salvador was not ready to descend low even if he was desperate. He took enough money to take him back to the city and left Lily's house before she came back.
Lily lied against Salvador and alleged that he was being indecent with her. That was all Sherriff Campo wanted to hear. He went out in search of him that night but missed him. He later sent a search party for Salvador but luckily Salvador made it to the bus terminal. Luck became Salvador's name because the Sherriff's search party saw him inside the bus sleeping from exhaustion and decided not to wake or harrass him.
Salvador was able to dodge and arrive the city at night. Being a gentleman he helped an old woman off the bus. Am sure Don Pedro went to his house that night because the dog barked uncontrollably out of excitement. Isabel could feel his presence.
He went to see Gatena Cherry but she thought he was a mugger. She threatened to call the Police if he did not back off. When he introduced himself as Don Pedro she laughed and mocked saying if he is then she is Cleopatra. After much arguement and confrontation, she decided to see and consult for him but for a fee. Don Pedro/ Salvador had to go rob himself to have enough money to pay Gatena's consultation and check into the hotel.
Simon came back from his love nest in the morning and of course the mother was furious. She dragged him by the ear into the house and scolded him for disrespecting her. He was angry that the mother was treating him unfairly. For once, Abigail missed Don Pedro Donoso fatherly influence and authority on the boys especially Symon. For Anthonio, he is going steady with Angela.

Salvador accepts his new body

After 'waking up' in the coffin and realising he's among strangers, he fled. But how far can he go in a strage environment with even stranger people looking at him curiously and suspiciously. His stay at the hospital did not help but increases his helplessness and the stay at Lilys' was disastrous. His stay at the Parish heightened the tension in the community as the worshippers and dwellers saw him as an angel with abilities beyond their comprehension.When the day to transfer him to the asylum came after the specialists did not have any clue to his ailments, Salvador being the intelligent and wise 'old' man quickly told the doctor, he is not Don Pedro but a peasant called Salvador. He has come to accept himself as the poor farmer living and working on the ranch, married to a tigress called Cantalicia and sleeping in a shack with a son. He is ready to go back to the ranch and sort out his problems. He told the doctor that he alone can solve his problem.
The character of Cantalicia is unfolding. She is a fighter who does not accept defeat and does not back down no matter the opponent. She went to the farm with Salvador and ordered him to fix the fence. Even when he wanted to argue, she warned him of the consequences of refusal. In the process, Salvador's arch enemy as Cantalicia calls him showed up with a machete spoiling for a fight. Salvador's ignorance of who he is did not stop the man as a fight broke out. Instead of Cantalicia separating the duo, she refereed by holding the machete that Salvador kicked off from the man's hand over them threatening to behead the challenger if her husband failed to deal with him. But Salvador being a refined gentleman declined and struggled to free himself.He pleaded with the man to go that the issue would be resolved amicably.
Back in the town, the priest and the doctor were worried about his mental state. Meanwhile the priest has found an answer to the mystery and the weird behaviour but the doctor refused to accept such explanation. The doctor still believes science is the only way that the problem with Salvador can be resolved. But in this case, he is wrong.
Back at the mansion, Rebecca has become a piece of work according to Vicky the maid. Who would have thought,Rebecca would turn against the maids that she was begging to allow her join in the cleaning of the house. Unbelievable but such is life.

Rebecca the villian

Miss Rebecca is fast turning to the bitch in the mansion. When she arrives at the mansion, she behaves so humbly that Don Pedro Jose Donoso insists that she stays when Isabel was undecided. She was always smiling, curtsying and grateful for every little gesture towards her. Alas greed breeds arrogance, and arrogance breeds resentment and intolerance. Her obsession with finding treasures in the mansion and becoming the new rich lady blinds her to the extend of turning her to a villian. She confides in Walter that she wants to be very rich so that when she goes back to her hometown, she will be envied and admired by the peasants.
Isabel does not trust her and suspects her activities in the mansion but she needs an ally so she tolerate her excesses and tactlessness.
The night of reunion as envisioned by Cantalicia did not come, instead rejection was what she got. When she drew near to the husband, he just told her to take her hands off and not touch him. I wonder what he was expecting. The husband prior to this time hardly speaks and was always doing her bidding like a handyman and a husband. Now the man can talk, read and write and look people straight in the eye. The man exudes confidence beyond his environment.
Anthonio is becoming bolder by the day. I love him standing up to Rebecca in defense of Angela. That is true love borne out of a desire to protect and care for. Anthonio is a real man. He follows his heart while the brother Symon, is fun loving with no commitment to real love. I know Symon has the capacity to love and when he finds love he will be committed.
Abigail their mother on the other hand is torn between security and comfort of the mansion and standing up to defend herself and the other workers against injustice and harrasment. Well I know that justice will prevail over any other interests if she has to choose.
Meanwhile, Rebecca is still searching everywhere for the treasure that would transform her into a powerful woman. Even without the fortune, she has transformed to an elegant lady. Cannot believe her transformation and arrogance. Imagine breaking the chinaware because a film of dust was found on it before Abigail and others. What an effrontery. Isabel is even more cautious and nicer than her.

Emilia the detective

After the subtle blackmail by Miss Anthonette that the distinguish Miss Emilia was sleeping with Marcelo, a ranch worker, she agreed to work with her to unravel the mystery behind Lupe's death or disappearance. Their search in the ranch did not yield any result so Emilia left for the city.

In the city, she went to Sebastian former house and saw Carmelo the new 'heir' and landlord. As usual he was not nice to her and told her bluntly that they never got along and even now as a rich man, its going to be worse. When she asked for a glass of water and Carmelo left to bring it, she surveyed the apartment and saw Lupe's hat. When confronted, Carmelo lied that as his son, he has the right to use his deceased fathers' things.

On Anthonette's part, she visited Chucho, Lupe's friend and lawyer with her convinction that Lupe is not dead. Because of all the sufferings she caused Lupe, nobody wanted to believe that she truly cared for Lupe. I mean who would, considering her hateful verbal attack on him and his family at every given opportunity. She was always spewing acid and poison from her tongue against them even on the maid.

Catalina believes in Love

Catalina believes true love never dies. Despite all that is being said by Sebastians and the village folks, she believes that Sebastian still loves her. Sebastian confirms what she heard when she was eavedropping on their conversations. She confronted him and after accepting the obvious still called her a gold digger.
While speaking with her friend Alicia, she fantasized about their reconciliation and make up. Her friend even told her that Sebastian came back for her and that she should go and talk things over with him.
Just before they could talk things over, Emilia arrived to aggravate the situation by being sarcastic and rude. Predictably, Catalina had a welcome for her with a glass of water she asked for poured on her face.
I thought love helps and sacrifices but the love Jessica has for Sebastian is wicked and evil. Why would Jessica re write a will to dispossess Sebastian and her friend Martina of their inheritance just because she wants the other woman to leave. It does not make sense. It a very horrid thing in love that I have seen.
Who will Sebastian choose of the two evil beings, Emilia or Jessica? None.
Even when Sebastian provoked this jealous streak in her by kissing and proposing marriage to Jessica, she told told Carmelo, that she will not marry him before Sebastian and others. She even enlisted the help of her father, Gustavo to talk to her mother to leave her alone because she is still in love with Sebastian.

Catalina and Sebastian

Catherine and Sebastián

The setting of this telenovela is more rural than urban. There is the widowed rich ranch owner Don Guadalupe Mendoza who has two lovely children, Sebastian and Martina and another Carmelo who believed rumours that he is his son. Carmelo is the foreman in the ranch but strut around like the heir because Lupe loves and treat him like a son.
We find a reflection of a society where the divide between the haves and the haves not is really wide. The have not are always called low-life, imbeciles and scumbags. The difference of social classes in Mexico is always obvious and that is why Adela, the mother of Catalina who was by chance opportuned to live in a mansion never wanted to go back to being a common poor person. Claudia Islands, the actress plays Adela Negrete, the greedy schemer and Catalina's mother. Adela has two other children and is married to Gustavo the weakling who she wraps round her little finger. Gustavo allowed her to run the home and take charge of everything to the extent of bankruptcy. Adela is only interested in giving a good image of a rich family to the society not minding the income of her husband. In the process, Rodrigo became an opportunist while her husband and other children became pawns in her hands.
In desperation, and faking an heart ailment by Adela, Catalina agreed to marry Sebastian the rich heir to the rancher. But she and her family were surprised when on arrival at the farm for the wedding of the century, they find out that Sebastián is not owner of the farm, but the foreman. Although this was done to determine the extent of love Catalina has for Sebastian but it turns out she accepted the marriage just for his supposed financial statue. She immediately asked for divorce and Sebastián in revenge denies her the divorce and forces her to live in a hut with him as the wife of a foreman. With time Catherine discovers that she is falling in love with Sebastián and it does not matter if he is poor.
This upsets Adela so much that she calls her daughter a complete disaster and a failure. Unfortunately, Sebastián did not believe Catalina. He says she is a good actress and is faking loving him. Eventually, Emilia spills the bean and Sebastian confesses that he is the rich heir but despite loving Catalina, will give her the divorce.
But Carmelo, the foreman who took the place of Sebastian in the role exchange, refused to hand over but plotted with Jessica and Marcelo to ensue the role exchange stays. Carmelo believes he is the bastard son of Don Lupe the father of Sebastian.
The first episode of Catalina y Sebastian showed where the Negrete family were discussing their terrible financial situation and how to get out of it. This terrible financial situation arose from the fact that Adela the wife of Gustavo is a spendrift. The debt has mounted and Gustavo was heading for the prison if the creditors descend on him. They have to look for a way out and that is for their daughter to marry a rich man. Where to find the rich man became a problem as they do not grow on trees.
Gustavo then remembered his business partner, Don Guadalupe Mendoza. Of course, Adela the greedy and reckless spender set in motion the process of trading off her daughter to an old man with money. Unfortunately, Catalina was in cloud nine with love for Eduardo. But Eduardo too was scheming to marry a wealthy older lady. Eduardo betrayed Cata's love because he too wanted to marry for money.

PAULINA NAIVETY IS ANNOYING

The naivety or sisterly love of Paulina is annoying in LA USURPADORA. No matter how much I love anyone or anything and that someone or thing wants to harm me, I will renounce such love or relationship.
I wonder why Paulina does not realise that her twin sister, Paula is twisted and wicked. She does not love anyone. She is selfish and conceited. Even if she sacrifices all including her life for Paula, she will not appreciate it and will spit on her grave if it happens.
Carlos Daniela on his part is so confused that he cannot see beyond his nose. Estafania is worse. She is so weak and easily manipulated by her leech of a husband Willy. She is a tool in the hand of Willy for easy money and jewlleries. I wonder what Estafania sees in Willy. The guy is just milking her and i am sure once the so called inheritance of Estafania is gotten, he will disappear. He reminds me of Diana's husband in WHEN YOU ARE MINE and Catalina's brother in CATALINA & SEBASTIAN.
Paula Bracho, the 'devil' herself as called by grandmother Piedat and the housekeeper is a woman on the fast lane. She reminds me of Rachael in THE SECRET OF THE SAND. Always seeking for adventure. Taking off with rich and available men are her pastime. Never a dull moment for her. Her teaming up with Willy to ruin the Brachos was ill timed.

Mexican soaps on Naija televisions

Presently we have ten or more of these Spanish / mexican telenovelas showing at diferent times on television stations in Nigeria.

African Independent Television, one of the frontline television stations in Nigeria is showing CATALINA & SEBASTIAN, ESMERALDA the story of a blind girl and a dashing young and rich doctor and THE TRAVAILS OF WOMEN. The travails of women chronicles the pains of women in marriages, relationships, childbirths, work places etc.

Siverbird television known for entertainment and youth oriented programmes shows REVENGE. This is a story of two sisters who unfortunately fall in love with the son of the man who killed their father. Will they revenged the death of their father or will love conguer?

Galaxy television shows LA USURPADORA and CUERPO DEL DESEO (SECOND CHANCE ). The Usurper is the story of two sisters who switched position in matrimony. The real wife Paula Bracho is adventurous, carefree and daring. Always on the move since she is easily bored while the sister Paulina is quiet, responsible, committed and loving. The husband, Carlos Daniel is the one that is at the receiving end of everyones' manipulation. Easily manipulated and weak most times to take firm decisions on issues affecting him and his children. The telenovela is full of intriques and suspense.
Second Chance is about a man second chance at life. Pedro Jose Donoso was an old trusting man who believed everyone loved and cared for him except his daughter, Angela. He died with that understanding only to come alive in a younger persons body to realise all was a lie.

Minaj Broadcasting shows REBECCA, RUBI and 'All ABOUT CAMILLA. Rebecca and Camilla had to go through so much betrayal, sufferings and set up because of love. Rubi on her own was the one setting people up all in her bid to achieve her goal of marrying a rich young man and to live a life of affluence.

Nigeria Television Authority is showing ESMERALDA and Ms Hermades. More on this later.

Gotel, the link television shows Second Chance, LORENZO's WIFE and the WOMAN OF MY LIFE. Two main characters in The Woman of my life, Mario Cimarro and Anna Silvetti are starring also in Second Chance.
In Lorenzo's wife, three women are in for a contest on who will win Lorenzo's affection. Laura, the wife had it and lost it when she flirted and fell in love with the gigolo called Alex the trainer.

Finally, Lagos Television shows THE GARDENERS DAUGHTER . This is the story of a naive school girl that fell in love with the heir to the Gomez banking empire. She had to contend with Jennifer, the famous and rich supermodel who was a one time Miss Universe.

Most of these telenovelas have the same storyline and plot. The story is always shrouded in mystery, secrets and revenge. We always have a villian or villians and the innocent or naive entity who is always the main character. There are always innocent, kind, trusting and virgins even if there are twenty five.
The main character most times start poor and end up rich by inheritance or chance. There is always love that is possessive and destructive and there is always love that is pure and easily manipulated. There is always distrust, deception and back stabbing. There is always imprisonment of the naive and ever forgiving protagonist, Rebecca in REBECCA, Luisa Fernandez in The gardeners daughter, Camilla in ALL ABOUT CAMILLA etc.

RUBI and SECOND CHANCE are refreshingly different.

I love watching mexican telenovelas because they have depth and storyline that are real and almost African.

Reviews

When 'Cuando Seas Mia' ( When you are mine) 2001 debuted in Nigeria in 2005, we thought it was one of those telenovelas like ' secret of the sand' that was shown many years back that it would soon blow away but we were wrong. Mexican soaps are here to stay in Nigeria. The craze is on and spreading to all television stations in the country. Almost all the television stations in Lagos, the commercial centre of Nigeria, the centre of excellence is showing one telenovela or more.
Presently we have ten or more of these telenovelas showing daily or weekends on television stations all over Nigeria.
Even the Nigeria Television Authority is showing one on wednesday. Quite unbelievable if you ask me. NTA is used to propagating government policies and programmes so i was not expecting them to join the craze. Though Secret of the Sand was shown on NTA then, we knew somebody bought the license and just aired it there for a fee. Well no television station will want to loose her audience so if mexican telenovelas are the in thing, then they will embrace it to keep their viewers.
In reviewing when you are mine, i will say it was good in terms of scripting and acting. The actors especially Paloma was fantastic. You cannot have the last laugh over her. If not the three witches would have buried her alive.
The others acted their part well too. Although the naivety of 'Diana' Diego's sister was annoying just like Paulina and Estafania in La Usurpadora. It ended when we thought another phase was starting. It was very interesting.