Looking Back on John En Marsha: A Childhood Favorite TV Show
Captain’s Log: Day #18 of my 30-Day Challenge to write a 500-word article every day for the next 30 days.
Flashback Friday is a popular trend on social media that brings back memories of the past. Today, I thought I’d share a personal favorite of mine — “John En Marsha,” a TV show that captured the essence of the Filipino family.
John En Marsha revolved around the daily life of the Puruntong family, led by the Philippine Comedy King Dolphy, who played John Puruntong. This show started in the 70s but remained popular well into the 80s, during my childhood.
As a kid, I remember eagerly waiting for Friday nights to come around, so my family and I could gather around the TV and watch the latest episode of John En Marsha. We’d spend the next hour laughing our hearts out, watching the hilarious adventures and misadventures of John Puruntong and his family.
John was your typical everyday man, working hard to provide for his family or just lounging around the house. His mother-in-law, Donya Delilah, would frequently visit the family and, more often than not, find something to criticize John about. It was a portrayal of the Filipino family, with a bit of exaggeration but still very relatable.
My grandmother wasn’t like Donya Delilah, but I remember how joyful it was whenever she would stay over at our house. She would always bring something delicious for her grandchildren to eat, and we’d all spend quality time together, just like any typical Filipino family.
One thing that still makes me chuckle when I rewatch old episodes is how the Puruntong family struggles with their daily budget and how they tackle life’s problems with humor. It’s something that every Filipino family can relate to, including ours.
What’s fascinating about John En Marsha is how the relationship between John, Marsha, and their children evolved over time. As their children grew and matured, so did their relationship. Rolly, for instance, was a married man with a wife and daughter, Shirley was a college student, and John John was the unexpected child who brought energy and humor to the household.
It’s remarkable how, decades after the show ended, some of the problems and themes that they made fun of are still relevant today. But at its core, John En Marsha was a heartwarming story of a regular family, much like yours or mine, doing their best to get through each day with humor, perseverance, camaraderie, and the family spirit.
Donya Delilah’s famous parting words at the end of each episode, “Kaya ikaw John, magsumikap ka!” (Keep pushing, John!) always left him annoyed but served as a reminder to all of us that we need to work hard and persevere to achieve our dreams for ourselves and our families.
It’s fascinating how one piece of art, in this case, a television show, can evoke memories and give you that warm, fuzzy feeling of nostalgia. Whenever I feel down or need a quick laugh, I always go back and watch my favorite comedic show.
Although many TV shows have come and gone since John En Marsha, there’s still that familiar, funny feeling that the old show brings back. Looking back on it now, I realize how much this show has influenced my childhood and helped me appreciate the value of family, humor, and perseverance.
So, if you’re feeling nostalgic and want to take a trip down memory lane, I highly recommend watching an episode of John En Marsha. It’s a great way to experience Filipino culture, humor, and family values from a bygone era.
