“That an old-fashioned Filipina in the character of Pinang is 
timeless,” replies writer/creative manager Mel Mendoza-del Rosario when asked what she learned from doing the exceptional ABS-CBN family series Be My Lady that wrapped up on November 25. “We will always love the Filipina daughter na mapagmahal sa pamilya.”
Mel laughs when quizzed if she is the Erich Gonzales character in person: “Hindi ako old-fashioned, rebelde ako nung kabataan. Pinang sacrifices her love and life for family. Pareho lang kami sa magnitude ng pagmamahal.”
“I always keep a happy disposition kahit na ano pa nangyayari sa loob ko,” she explains. “Naging very madrama ang teenage life ko, took a major turn when my mom got sick with stroke and aneurysm when I was 13 years old. Siyempre growing up years ‘yun, difficult part at teenager, wala kang active mother. She was recuperating,” she explains how the sickness affected her young life.
It turned into a defining moment for her. “It accounts for what I have become as a person. I like taking care of people and anticipating their needs. Her being sick allowed me to see my father embody what ‘in sickness and in health’ truly means. They are my greatest blessing.”
And her family: “But the happy part was her sickness made our family solid. There was one goal to make her well. Seeing my father devote his life to caring for us and my mother probably is the happiest part. We were able to laugh about serious stuff.”
Her parents are Manolo, 85, and Luningning, 86. “They just celebrated their 57th wedding. With the grace of God and the strength of the human spirit, they are well at home. My mom medyo alagain na. My dad cares for her. Imagine 1975 na-sick ang mom ko. My dad has been faithful and loyal to his vow. Wagas. Iyan ang tunay na forever.”
They are only two children in the family. “My mom’s heart condition ‘di na puwede manganak uli. Pero bawi sa only kapatid ko — nine kids ! Yes, Opus Dei.”
SERIES AND ANTHOLOGIES. Mel developed the midday timeslot with the blockbuster series Be Careful With My Heart, followed by Ningning and now Be My Lady that she practically owns the day-part at the Kapamilya network. Her other major accomplishments are helping Maalaala Mo Kaya evolve and the romcom genre evolve into a love story told in a lighter, humorous style.
“MMK still tries to give variety, a mix. May love story, light drama, family story, success story. Iba-ibang timpla bawa’t linggo. Of course, easier said than done. Depends sa bagsak ng kwento. Mas mahirap maghanap ng kwento kasi marami na kaming nagawa,” she says.
Starting as a writer in MMK, del Rosario says she identifies with its uniqueness and strength. “Iba ang kwento ng tunay na buhay. Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng pagkakataong maging part ng isang show that has been running for 25 years.”
When she started a writer, she was clueless about typing so she wrote everything by long hand, paying for the typing work. “I literally cut with scissors and paste with glue the portions for revision on the computer by the typist.”
Her personal favorite among the films she wrote is Wanted: Perfect Mother. The first movie she watched that fascinated her was The Sound of Music. “I asked my mother to have my hair cut like Julie Andrews as Fraulein Maria and begged my parents to take me to the ‘hills are alive.’ Dinala nila ako sa Tagaytay instead. Wanted: Perfect Mother was my adaptation.”
She started as writer-cum-sales representative with TAPE, producer of Eat...Bulaga! as she was not required to report daily so she had time to write. In 1998, she resigned so she can write full time out of jealousy for college friend Olive Lamasan.
“Naisip ko para ‘di ako ma-out of place ‘pag reunion, magsulat din ako sa MMK kasi two friends were writing under Olive,” she recalls. “Ako mag-isa kahit walang clamor nagsulat na pinasa ko kay Malou (Santos). One year after writing for MMK, they got me na as co-writer sa MMK the Movie. Then Viva got me na to write solo. Manalo, Matalo, Mahal Kita. Sabi ni Eric Cuatico, marunong pala ako mag-comedy.”
She remains a writer by choice. “I had been offered when I was younger to direct pero parang hindi ako ‘yun. Hindi ko enjoy technical side. Plus it takes a lot of time away from home. ‘Di ko rin kaya ibigay.”
So far, her well of ideas has not dried up. “With God’s grace but dumadating minsan time na tinatamad ako, wala lang ‘yun, walang gana. May ideas pero tinatamad lang ako kumilos kasi siguro pagod, or hindi inspired, or maybe feels unappreciated…”
She snaps out upon seeing eager young writers dying to enter the industry. “Nahihiya rin ako sa balat ko. Andito na ko. Mahirap pumasok kasi ‘yung entry point. Maraming new generation hindi nakakatagal sa process. Sanay sila sa lahat instant.”
What could she have done better? is her question to herself. “I would have improved on three aspects of my life. I wish I could have been a more obedient daughter, mas masunurin, pero hindi naman ako nag-adik nung kabataan ko, ha. I could have worked less and had more time to be with family. At sana nag-aral ako mag-piano imbes tinakasan ko piano lessons.”
As a writer, she shares her biggest lesson: “Mahirap maging writer. Nakakapagod sa mind, heart and kahit sa katawan... kasi ang pagsusulat kasama palagi ang pagkatao mo. Binibigay mo ito.”
What’s the secret of her scripts? “My faith and discipline. I believe writing is a talent, a gift from God and not dependent on mood, ambiance or angst.”
The secret of her writing success? Again laughing off the praise, she replies, “Thank you for that. No magic. I think it’s genuine love for family.”
Now 54, she still has six years before she reaches the mandatory retirement age of 60 at ABS-CBN. “After which maybe I will teach or just write films...or sleep at home and clean the house.”
Until when is she going to write? “Until I ran out of ideas or get arthritis on may hands, whichever comes first.”
The late night online interview turning out to be like Boy Abunda’s two-minute closer of Tonight With Boy Abunda, I wrapped up, “Sex or chocolate?”
“Hmmm... now maybe sleep and chocolates.” And then she laughs her way out.