TELENOVELAS IN RETROSPECT

Despite our various tribes and culture, there will always be something that links each and everyone of us together. Be it The UEFA Champions League, NBA's, Grammy's, Oscars. In that moment, we are not people of different cultures or tribes, we are one in thoughts.

Before Zeeworld became a thing, Mexican telenovelas were already a hit. AIT and Galaxy made it their purpose to unite Nigerians with their novelas.

So today, as a form of throwback, we take a look at some of those series that glued people to their seats. Those series that made people dismiss from fellowships early, and led to  neighbors being closer. 

11. The Woman Of My Life (1998)

La Mujer de mi Vida

    A woman is blamed for the death of her husband after the murder weapon was found in her hands (okay, no offence, but if you find your partner dead, kindly weep from afar, don't go touching him or the murder weapon). She definitely goes through the impossible to prove her innocence. There's also the complicated case of her brother-inlaw being in love with her.  This was the very first Mario Cimarro movie I was seeing. 

10.La Usurperdora (1998)

   This translates as 'The usurper'. The story of identical twins sisters, separated at birth (this always seems to be the case). When one decides to go on a cruise, she gets her twin, the calmer, loving sister to replace her in her home.

Did things go crazy? definitely yes.

Was the truth revealed? Well, it was, but with lots of ups and downs.

And don't forget realization of love at the end.

9. Secrets Of The Sand(1993)

Mulheres de Areia

This wasn't a Mexican series but rather a Brazilian series.

The music from this series is my mum's ringtone, I kid you not.

Another story of identical twins causing issues. But not to worry, they weren't seperated at birth, on the contrary they both lived in the same house. While one was careless, crazy and extravagant. The other was a direct opposite. So what happens when Ruth and Racheal swap places? Chaos.

With a very conniving mother, Secrets of the Sand was my mum's favourite for a long time before the series at number 1 place was aired.

8. The Gardener's Daughter (2003-2004)

La Hija Del Jardinero

No rich person would want their offspring mingling with a lowlife, right?

So when the son of the boss, falls for the Gardener's daughter, love is hurt and tested to its limit.

7. Catalina and Sabastián (1999)

As a bride, how would you feel if on your wedding day, you groom who happens to be Dangote's son (winks) tells you he is actually Dangote's driver?

    Well Catalina definitely didn't know how to react to the news, if only she knew it was a test and he was really the son.

Greed is never ever good in fact greed could actually cost you more than you bargained for. It was the second time these two actors were in the same movie.

6.  Sorteligio 

Love Spell (2009)

It's pronounced (Soh-Teh-Hi-Lio)

Jealousy can really drive a person mad if care isn't taken. A jealous brother, sets an accident for his brother, goes ahead to marry a wife for this brother so that when he dies, she becomes his widow and inherits his wealth.

Excellent idea, except the fates had other plans. William Levy was a character to watch while he battled his crazy jealous brother Bruno.

5. Dont mess with an Angel(2008-2009)

Cuidado con ángel

Marichuy,Marichuy.

The girl who loved to ride her bicycles to every part of the city, stealing food and giving to hungry orphans. The way her life changed after meeting Dr Miguel was alarming. First she finds out she isn't really an orphan, the judge who is always on her neck and mean to her is actually her father. Then she loses her sight. Jeez.

It was much.

But she was an angel and she got back up each time. I had this secret wish that both actors would actually get married in real life.

4. Triumph of Love (2010)

Trunfo Del Amor

This storyline was controversial.

A man about to be ordained a priest on Saturday, decides to engage in sex on thursday. Leaving behind a pregnant house maid

Hmmmm.

I just couldn't wrap my head around it when I was younger.

But the twist of fate in this novela was how a lost daughter found her mom.

Imagining working for and admiring the most powerful designer in your country, not knowing that's your mum. People who are linked by destiny will always find each other. (Yeah, I know, it's a line from the Witcher).

3.Hidden Passion (2003-2004)

Pasion De Galvilanes

Mario Cimaro was at it again. This time, as part of 3 brothers who run into great wealth when their youngest brother's rich wife dies, leaving him with all her wealth.

I Loved how each sister was paid up with a brother at the end. Though there were deaths, the novela was worth the watch.

2.Second Chance (2005)

El Cuerpo Del Deseo

Don Pedro Denoso.

This was my all time favorite Mario Cimarro movie.

Who didn't watch this series?

The storyline by itself was simply captivating.

An old,rich, guy dies in a tush area surrounded by wealth and family and a poor,illiterate,wretched soul dies in a ghetto slum  at that time. The fates decide to teach the rich dude a final lesson and swap their souls giving him a second chance. A chance to know those who really loved him and were loyal to him, as well as those who never wanted him around. Even though there was a time limit to the extra life, he was able to put everything in place. 

I so loved when he started dealing with them.

1 When You're Mine (2001-2002)

Cuando seas mia

At the top of the list, we have the number one Nigeria telenovela- When you're mine.

This series caused issues for people. My mum personally would already book her stylist friend and they would buy fuel standby because we didn't have a generator then.

Once it was 7pm, it was AIT till 9pm.

People rushed from fellowship just to catch up with Diego and Paloma.

It was insanely exciting. 

The lowlife girl from the coffee hacienda falls in love with the son of the owner (of course, why won't she).

Paloma was a strong character, she took her life and fate into her own hands and she weaved her family out of poverty.

Diego got us annoyed so many times, we.almost gave up on him.

This telenovela was an all round entertaining piece and for those 2 hours it aired, we were all one.

So folks, that's my  list of telenovelas that I feel were really interesting. I do hope your favorites made it. 

Drop a comment, let me know which other telenovelas were as amazing.