Why the PH remake of ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’ deserves a spot on your watch list

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MANILA, Philippines – The Filipino adaptation of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay does more than remake a beloved K-drama. It grounds the story in a poignant exploration of trauma and healing, brought to life by a powerhouse Filipino ensemble as it taps into emotional truths that hit painfully close to home.

The series centers on Patrick “Patpat” Gonzales (Joshua Garcia), a reserved caregiver in a psychiatric ward who has devoted his life to looking after his older brother Matthew “Matmat” Gonzales (Carlo Aquino), who is on the autism spectrum.

Their lives take a turn when they meet Emilia “Mia” Hernandez (Anne Curtis), a successful but emotionally distant children’s book author known for her eccentric nature. 

As the three confront unresolved childhood wounds and deep-seated emotional pain, they embark on a shared journey toward healing, self-discovery, and love. 

A big part of what makes this adaptation stand out lies in its casting — led by actors stepping into roles we haven’t seen them take on before and performances charged with new depth.

Acting comeback for Anne Curtis, Enchong Dee

Anne Curtis returns to narrative television with a role that pulls her into darker, more emotionally complex territory. 

While she’s best known for her iconic roles in romantic dramas and fantasy series like Dyosa (2008), Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw (2012), and Dyesebel (2014), Anne has proven her dramatic range in films such as Baler (2008), No Other Woman (2011), Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story (2018), and most notably Just A Stranger (2019) and BuyBust (2018), where she portrayed emotionally conflicted, vulnerable, or morally torn characters.

But this marks the first time in years that she’s embracing such a psychologically layered character for television. 

STILL STELLAR. Anne Curtis returns to series as Mia in the Filipino remake of ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay.’ All photos by Blaise Rellata/Rappler

Anne admitted it took her some time to say yes to the project, as it had been a while since she last took on an acting role. 

“There were a lot of jitters on the first day… Grabe yung kaba ko (I was really nervous), but I learned from the story that it is indeed okay to not be okay,” she shared during a media conference.

The actress announced her hiatus in 2020 during her pregnancy with first-born Dahlia Amélie Heussaff. She made her return to mainstream television in 2022 as one of the regular hosts of the Kapamilya noontime show It’s Showtime. 

Before stepping away from acting, her last on-screen role was alongside fellow It’s Showtime host Vice Ganda in the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival entry The Mall, The Merrier.

Enchong Dee also expressed his gratitude to the remake for bringing back his love for acting in a series. He plays the CEO of the publishing company responsible for releasing Mia’s bestselling children’s books.

His last appearance in a teleserye was in Mars Ravelo’s Darna (2022) in a supporting role, following his main cast stint in Huwag Kang Mangamba (2021).

SERIES COMEBACK. Enchong Dee returns to acting in series after spending the past few years as a TV host and film actor.

While Enchong has starred in numerous films, including The Reunion (2012), Four Sisters and a Wedding (2013), Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay (2013), Four Sisters Before the Wedding (2020), GomBurZa (2023), Here Comes the Groom (2023), and more — he remains active on television as a regular host on ASAP and Pinoy Big Brother.

Carlo Aquino on one of his most delicate roles yet

Carlo Aquino has built a reputation for slipping seamlessly into complex, emotionally demanding roles — and Matmat may be his most poignant yet.

Audiences who watched Isa Pa, With Feelings will remember his quiet but compelling turn as Fidel, a deaf man navigating love, connection, and identity. Carlo committed to learning sign language for the role, delivering a performance that was as restrained as it was emotionally rich. His ability to express layers of vulnerability without uttering a single word speaks volumes about his range and capability as one of the most versatile actors in the country.

COMMITTED. In ‘It’s Okay Not to Be Okay,’ Carlo Aquino takes on the role of Matthew Gonzales.

This time, the actor-musician received high praise from the cast and directors for his portrayal of Matmat. Carlo took a unique approach in preparing for his role by choosing not to watch the original Korean series and underwent a three-day immersion in a special needs school.

Director Mae Cruz Alviar shared that Carlo personally observed and interacted with individuals on the autism spectrum to better understand their lived experiences and subtle behavioral nuances.

He wanted to build the character from his own perspective, allowing him to approach Matmat with fresh eyes, emotional honesty, and a deeper connection rooted in his own understanding of the character’s experiences and challenges. 

Anne and Joshua also shared their admiration for Carlo’s commitment to the role.

“Carlo’s performance is always so raw. Whenever I have a scene with him, I know I don’t need to prepare too much on my own because I’ll always get so much from him. Each performance is just so raw and beautiful,” Anne said.

This isn’t just a must-watch because of the role’s complexity — it’s because Carlo brings a rare kind of emotional intelligence to every character he takes on. With Matmat, that deep understanding allows him to tell a story that’s bound to offer audiences a deeply human perspective that’s too often overlooked on screen.

Story of healing, people who make it possible

Mental health, childhood trauma, and emotional recovery sit at the core of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, both in the original Korean drama and its Filipino adaptation. 

The main challenge was aligning the show’s message with a cultural lens — how to spark meaningful conversations about mental wellness in a way that Filipino audiences could not only understand, but also emotionally connect with and accept.

The Filipino adaptation brings its own flavor to the series — with amplified kilig, a distinct touch of local humor, and the kind of heartfelt, all-consuming love that’s uniquely Filipino.

But just like the original, the heart of the story lies in connection: how people scarred by different kinds of emotional abandonment find solace in each other. 

“Being there for someone with a mental health condition shouldn’t be seen as a burden,” says Anne. “It’s a sign of love. You can’t force them to fix themselves, but rather you have to be there for them and support them through their journey [of healing].”

Whether it’s a sibling bond, an unexpected friendship, or a love that challenges your sense of self, the series reminds viewers that healing becomes possible when you’re finally seen — even with all your broken parts.

Also joining the cast are Xyriel Manabat, Francis Magundayao, Rio Locsin, Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, Agot Isidro, Louise Abuel, Michael de Mesa, Maricel Laxa, Kaori Oinuma, Bodjie Pascua, Ana Abad Santos, Sharmaine Suarez, Alora Sasam, Alyssa Muhlach, Bianca de Vera, Aljon Mendoza, and Mark Oblea.

Catch the premiere of It’s Okay To Not Be Okay on Netflix on July 18. 

The series will also stream on iWantTFC starting July 19, and will air on A2Z, TV5, and Kapamilya Online Live on July 21. – Rappler.com

Blaise Rellata is a Rappler intern from Mapua University.