‘Luv U’ aired for the last time last Sunday afternoon, ending a near four-year run. (Logo courtesy of ABS-CBN)
The last remaining teen-oriented series in the country has finally departed.
On Sunday, January 17, ABS-CBN’s ‘Luv U’ officially aired its final episode. The series bowed out after nearly four years on the air, with a total of 203 episodes to boot.
The final episode of ‘Luv U’ marked the end of an era for teen-oriented series, which began when GMA’s ‘T.G.I.S.’ premiered in mid-1995. With the cast’s desire to move on to other projects and at the same time devote several hours of school time, it is clear that the series would have to end.
First aired on February 19, 2012, ‘Luv U’ was essentially a grown-up version of ‘Goin’ Bulilit’, featuring the then-teenage graduates of the latter series. Early episodes of the series were more humor-oriented, but as the years went by, more serious elements were added, each emphasizing on the real-life struggles of Filipino teenagers.
‘Luv U’ originally aired in between ‘ASAP’ and ‘The Buzz’, but in April 2015, it was moved to the late afternoon slot to replace the latter. While ratings for the series were respectable overall, the change of timeslot in later episodes caused it to fall.
Nevertheless, ‘Luv U”s final episode made a lasting impression. While ratings for the finale are yet to be revealed, it managed to trend on Twitter.
On Instagram, cast member Miles Ocampo, now lead protagonist of ‘And I Love You So’, posted this message:
“MAMI-MISS KO ang gumising ng umaga tuwing Monday, ang mag script reading, ang asaran, ang foodtrip, ang tawanan, ang friendship at ang nabuong pamilya.”
“THANK YOU sa mga experiences, sa sad and happy memories, sa mga pagturo ng maraming lessons at sa pagbibigay saakin ng pagmamahal.. Sa lahat po ng sumuporta sa LUV U sa loob ng 4 NA TAON, maraming maraming salamat po sainyong lahat.”
The cast of ‘Luv U’ also includes Kiray Celis, Marco Gumabao, Sharlene San Pedro, Alexa Ilacad, Nash Aguas, Jairus Aquino, Mika Dela Cruz, Rhap Salazar, Smokey Manaloto, Hyubs Azarcon, Bentong, and Joy Viado, among others. Edgar Mortiz and sons Frasco and Badjie directed the series.
The fate of the now-vacant 4:45 p.m. slot is still to be determined. Regardless, ‘Luv U’ will be missed by its loyal viewers, and the lessons that come with it will never be forgotten.
From the Tube 
As per photo posted on ABS-CBN 360 page, Celebrity Playtime will occupy the timeslot of Luv U.
Celebrity Playtime will be aired twice a week on weekends, like PGT.
Another new approach from the network, much like Wowowin did early in their run. We’ll see if things will be different.
One reason why Luv U ended was because directors Edgar and Frasco Mortiz are also busy directing other shows like Goin Bulilit, Home Sweetie Home and Banana Sundae.
It’s also possible that the weekly teen-oriented series is no longer marketable. Nowadays, they focus their energies on teleseryes, since they are more popular and fast-moving.
GMA and TV5 have long stopped producing teen shows. Luv U is the last of a dying breed.
Exactly. Teleseryes killed them.
Truly, it was the end of an era. GMA started the trend but ABS-CBN ended it.
Wala na kasing karibal ang ABS pagdating sa teen-oriented series, and lack of competition led to declining viewers’ interest. TeenGen was GMA’s last teen-oriented series, and it ended nearly three years ago. I didn’t include Dormitoryo since it’s more of a suspense thriller series.
Even primetime sitcoms on weekdays have also been killed by teleseryes. Palibhasa Lalake and Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata are sorely missed.
No wonder ABS has little to offer in the comedy department.
I just red an article in one kapamilya webpages that the vacated timeslot will be occupied by a Drama Anthology, probably the Spin-off of “Oh My G” which is “1G” or “One God” but its not sure yet.
For now, though, it looks like Celebrity Playtime will air on Sundays too, per ABS.
And besides, Zanjoe Marudo, who was supposed to guest in the first episode of that drama anthology Marcel mentioned, already has an upcoming soap, Langis at Tubig, with Cristine Reyes. It’s ready for airing.
That drama anthology they’re proposing might end up airing on Saturday afternoons against Wish Ko Lang, and could possibly put MKML to Sunday afternoons if that happens.
As far as I know, TV Patrol Weekend on Sundays has MKML as a segment so I’m not sure if it will be a separate Sunday program. If that happens, ABS may have to drop the Kapamilya Mega Blockbusters block.
Or they can just move the MKML segment to Saturdays. That would be much better.
Agree!