Written By Mikey Sutton • Editor-in-Chief • Owner
GMA Network‘s In My Dreams is among the year’s most delightful surprises. It’s a sweet romantic fantasy that balances the sadness of reality with the catharsis of escapism.
Sari (Sofia Pablo) is a lonely young girl who is bullied in real life but in her dreams she’s the center of a group of friends who adore her. Support her and look after her. She seems to have the ability to control her dreams. In one charming sequence, she orders a king’s feast from a dream phone.
Hilariously, one of her pals smiles that he can eat as much as he wants and not get fat. After all, it’s only a dream.
As the creator/writer of the Dreamwalker comic book and executive producer of the upcoming U.S. TV series with GMA actress Kate Valdez, of course In My Dreams would be in my area of interest.
Without a doubt, GMA Public Affairs has another winner with this digital show (available on Facebook and YouTube).
GMA Network’s In My Dreams Is One Of 2023’s Best Surprises
Image: GMA Network
I praised this team’s The Lost Recipe in 2021. That show’s mix of adobo, science-fiction, and romance was uniquely Filipino, brimming with fantastic ideas and engaging performances. In My Dreams captures that same sense of wonder. The Lost Recipe was also visually appealing with its incandescent cinematography and lush lightning; those qualities are apparent here.
I’m familiar with Pablo from GMA’s Prima Donnas. Her acting actually reminded me of Julie Vega in her prime. I was in the Philippines when Vega sadly passed away; it was one of my indelible memories of my native land. Also, Vega was born just two days before I was.
Thus, it hit hard.
I strongly believe Pablo shares some of Vega’s qualities as an actress.
GMA Network’s In My Dreams Is One Of 2023’s Best Surprises
Image: GMA Network
You can already see the darker undercurrents in Sari’s life – her mother was abandoned by her husband for another woman – that motivates her to get away from it all. In real life, Sari has no control. In dreams, her reality is turned upside down. She meets a boy, Jecoy (Allen Ansay), in the world of her imagination. And he sweeps her off her feet in real life, too.
Jecoy becomes her anchor and her hope in a troubled adolescence.
Created by Erwin Caezar Bravo and John Mychal Feraren, In My Dreams takes a sensitive approach to dealing with depression and mental health. It does so with heart and creativity.
In My Dreams‘ subtle touch makes it highly accessible to GMA’s younger crowd. Nevertheless, older viewers will find much to appreciate here.