There is something both familiar and unsettling about seeing Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino in roles that feel emotionally raw and stripped of glamour.
In the Philippine adaptation of the Korean drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, the three take on characters who live with their wounds, learn from them, and carry them in ways many Filipinos might quietly relate to.
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay tells a story that reminds us pain does not fade overnight, and love, while powerful, may not always be the solution. Healing takes time, and this version allows us to sit with that truth.
In the story, Anne plays Mia, a successful children’s book author whose polished exterior hides a troubled past. She meets Patpat, a psychiatric caregiver portrayed by Joashua, who has devoted his life to caring for his older brother Matmat, played by Carlo, a man with autism. Their paths cross, setting off a journey that explores childhood trauma, mental illness, grief, and the search for stability and connection.
The local version of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay premieres tonight on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, and Kapamilya Online Live, with earlier releases on Netflix (July 18) and iWant (July 19). Rather than replicating the original, this adaptation presents the story through a Filipino lens, with attention to how local audiences process emotional struggle.
“It’s a universal story,” Anne said during the star-studded media conference for the series. “Every Filipino, whether it’s family or friends, will be able to relate to the story of healing, pain, and love.”
Director Mae Cruz-Alviar said the production made a conscious effort to handle mental health themes with care.
“We had to match the story to how our audience accepts conversations about mental health,” she said. “There’s still limited awareness, so we had to avoid overwhelming viewers.”
The goal was to stay true to the heart of the show while remaining mindful of how people might receive it, the director added.
Joshua, who plays the emotionally reserved Patpat, found parts of the role very close to home.
“Parehas kaming mapagmahal na kapatid. ‘Yung pagka-burned out ng character ko, naramdaman ko rin,” he shared.
Carlo, meanwhile, prepared for his role through immersion and workshops with special schools. His portrayal of Matmat offers a rare and careful representation of a character on the autism spectrum in a mainstream series.
The cast also includes Rio Locsin, Michael De Mesa, Agot Isidro, Maricel Laxa, Enchong Dee, and several others. Directed by Cruz-Alviar and Raymond Ocampo, and led by creative producer Henry Quitain and Star Creatives business unit head Des M. De Guzman, the series aims to start important conversations about emotional recovery and self-worth.
