Eat Bulaga’s Kalyeserye had created a craze that is breaking all-time records for Philippine TV.

Here’s why Filipinos working, studying or living overseas are hooked.

1. WE CAN TOTALLY RELATE TO THE SPLIT-SCREEN LIFE

After years of Skype-ing with our families and friends, we are masters of screen waving and kissing, even before Aldub was born.

2. WE ARE EYEWITNESSES TO THE DEVELOPING LOVE AFFAIR

We watched (and could always replay) the first time they gaped at each other on screen. With our own eyes, we saw the raw emotions and felt the chemistry. For once, it wasn’t second hand information delivered to us or tsismis (gossip) passed on to us.

Also, thanks to their public Twitter and Instagram accounts, they allowed us to be part of their growing fondness of each other. Yes, I know, you know, we are all stalkers!

3. MAINE MENDOZA makes us feel normal.

Isn’t it tiring to see flawless beauty on TV all the time? It makes us feel old, tired and monstrous especially when we see our faces in Skype. We bother so much about the camera angle and wish people we talk to see past our colorless faces and tired eye-bags.

Yaya Dub’s simple hair-tie and candid expressions make us feel that it’s ok not to be perfect all the time. Her acting is fresh and not yet marred by pretentious acting lessons.

4. Alden is the face of inspiration.

If you’re like me and you stalked him and watched his life story, you’d reach the conclusion that this guy is a family-oriented gentleman. This is the face that makes you sigh and forget all your ugly inconsiderate employers and co-workers.

You find yourself wishing your husband or boyfriend or son would look or be like him. There is hope for mankind!

5. WE KNOW THE FRUSTRATIONS OF LONG DISTANCE RELATIONSHIPS

We’ve been there – building friendships, family connections and emotional attachments with someone we haven’t met yet or haven’t seen for so long. We are too familiar with the emotions of missing someone or longing to see someone face to face for the first time.

6. “sa tamang panahon“ IS OUR SLOGAN

We understand and live by this code of waiting and wanting at the right time. We wish our family could wait. We hope our children won’t rush into things. We desire our hardwork will bring us somewhere at the right time. And we know that when people ask from us… it is always the wrong time. Haha.

 7. It’s aN EASY-GOING, FEEL-GOOD show

The new and different take on love, comedy, parody, drama and reality TV is the perfect antidote to our stressful days at work or lonely days at home. After 9-12 hours of intense brain frying or physical exhaustion, we look forward to the kilig (happy-giddy) moments, no-brainer jokes and forgivable slapstick comedy.

All in all, we feel part of this reality TV because it somehow satisfies our longing for familiarity in a foreign land.

Keep on watching! *pabebewave*