Lovingly Yours, Helen

infobox television
show_name = Lovingly Yours, Helen


caption =
format = Drama
picture_format = 480i SDTV
runtime = 1.5 hour (sunday)
creator = GMA Network
director = Marilou Diaz-Abaya
Gilbert Perez
Mario O'Hara
Laurice Guillen
executive_producer = Lenny C.Parto
producer = Orly Punzalan
starring = Helen Vela (1981-1992)
Princess Punzalan (1992-1996)
country = Philippines
network = GMA Network
first_aired = 1981
last_aired = 1996
num_episodes = 721 episodes
preceded_by = Coney Reyes-Mumar Drama Studio
followed_by = Partners Mel and Jay

Lovingly Yours, Helen is a Sunday afternoon program aired on GMA-7 from 1981 to 1996. The program was started as a radio drama anthology on GMA's DZBB in 1981 then became a television drama series in 1983 (simulcast through DZBB). "Lovingly Yours, Helen" was presented by the late television/radio personality Helen Vela. Each episode is based on the life of letter sender (as similar to Maalaala Mo Kaya,The Maricel Drama Special and Coney Reyes on Camera).

Music theme

The theme for the show was Ballade pour Adeline by Richard Clayderman and composed and written by Paul de Senneville during the opening and narration on the show by Helen Vela herself.

As "Lovingly Yours, Helen"

In 1983, the program transformed from a radio program to a television drama anthology. Among some of the stars appeared on this program's episodes are: Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Vilma Santos, Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes, Aga Muhlach,Maricel Soriano, Romnick Sarmenta, Sharon Cuneta Tonton Gutierrez and Mary Walter. A rare episode in the drama series was also shown sometime in 1990 when Helen Vela acted alongside close friends Coney Reyes, Vilma Santos and Tina Revilla-Valencia. janno gibbs

"Lovingly Yours: The Movie

In 1984, due to immense popularity of the program, "Lovingly Yours Helen" was turned into a movie. It was divided into two episodes. The first episode was a horror-drama which starred Julie Vega, Janice de Belen, Anita Linda and Coney Reyes (billed as "Coney Reyes-Mumar"). The second episode was a comedy-drama which starred Chiquito, Sheryl Cruz, Jimmy Santos, Tommy Angeles and Odette Khan. Helen Vela appeared in the first, middle and last parts of the movie as narrator.

As "Lovingly Yours"

In 1992, after the untimely demise of the host, Princess Punzalan (her daughter, and ex-wife of TV personality Willie Revillame) took over her late mother's hosting responsibilities. The program continued to become the top weekend afternoon anthology on TV. On the last years of airing, Helen Gamboa & Boots Anson Roa took over hosting chores. This time, Princess played protagonist/central roles. (Note: Helen Vela and Princess Punzalan are Bible-Based Christians, while the program's last season host Boots Anson-Roa & Helen Gamboa are devout Roman Catholics)

Lovingly Yours-The Classics

Reruns of the most memorable episodes of "Lovingly Yours, Helen" were shown after its last episode in September 1996. It was replaced by Anna Karenina, a weekly soap opera jointly produced by Viva Entertainment and GMA-7.

15th Anniversary and Farewell Episode

After 15 years, "Lovingly Yours" bowed out of Philippine television with a special thanksgiving dinner show and tribute to the late Ms. Helen Vela. During the dinner, an awarding ceremony was given to the producers and staff who already worked for the program. A special presentation features a video clip of Helen's performance (with Coney Reyes, Tina Revilla, and Vilma Santos), who sang "A Friend" by Keno on GMA Supershow in 1989.

Awards and Citations

* PMPC Star Awards for Television
* KBP Golden Dove Awards
* Catholic Mass Media Awards

ee also

* GMA Network