I haven’t been watching FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano faithfully for the past seven years but I get to follow the story because my mom is an avid fan. As the story slowly progressed to mythical levels in the past few years, there were truly standouts in the parade of new characters that the show introduced to the masses. Here are my top picks

Best

General Oligario and James Cordero. Angel Aquino’s General Oligario is one of the most faithful and loyal among Cardo Dalisay’s Task Force Agila. She was a solid ally of Lolo Delfin (aka General Borja). James Cordero is no different. These two high ranking officials provide the voice of reason when Cardo goes off tangent in his plans to take down the bad guys. Prior to the final battles, James cautions the group to be wary of Lily, the only one who raised the issue. He bravely joined the Alpha Team’s doomed rescue mission. These two risked their lives and their positions by feeding intel to Cardo’s group when they were portrayed as villains in the eyes of the public.

Worst

Oscar and Mariano. Whether Rowell Santiago was portraying the upright president Oscar Hidalgo or his unscrupulous doppleganger Mariano, they tie as two of the worst characters of the show. Mariano was written as a patsy whose naivete put the country in the hands of the villainess Lily Hidalgo and the equally deplorable Renato Hipoloto. Mariano was greedy and arrogant, using his “powers” to perform deplorable acts on women and his underlings.

Best

Lolo Delfin. When Lolo Delfin almost died in the early parts of Ang Probinsyano, netizens came to his rescue. Despite his age, his conviction to fight for what is right, fueled by Jaime Fabregas’ masterful acting, made his character one of the most endeared by the viewers. Until his last moment, his portrayal was powerful. Rest in power, Lolo!

Worst

Lily Hidalgo. Lorna Tolentino made my list because my mom simply abhors her — for good reason. For years since her entry to the series, the First Lady proved herself to be the worst type of snake. As she she rose to power, she perpetrated the rape of the country that her husband and the Agila tried to protect.

Best

Bulate and Butete. During their Pulang Araw days, this duo of Villafuerte and Matero were originally cast to provide comic relief, but as they continued to fight to expose Renato Hidalgo and his misdeeds until the end, they proved to be loyal friends and allies to Cardo and his cause. Their rapport with Dalisay and the rest of Task Force Agila is one of the main cores of the team’s appeal.

Worst

Armando. Two words. Lolo Delfin. I rest my case. While his death was brutal, it was karma for the torture he subjected the general to.

Best

Elizabeth and Ambo. These two supporting characters were just supporting characters but were instrumental in saving the real president from the clutches of Lily and her henchmen. The acting was not top notch from these two acting newbies but in terms of character, they showed the most courage, given that they had nothing when they staged their rescue.

Worst

Renato Hipolito. John Arcilla really rose to the occasion when he portrayed Renato “Buwitre” Hipolito. It would have been so easy to just become a cardboard villain but he used every tool in his acting arsenal to make the villain so deplorable, so malicious and power mad that viewers were cursing him out in real life for his effective portrayal. Salute!

Best and Worst

Cardo Dalisay. Cardo Dalisay may have been an inspiration to many Filipinos as he is the modern day incarnation of action stars of the past. However, his character Cardo Dalisay is a walking red flag for everything you shouldn’t do when fighting for a cause. Cardo made enemies left and right and made himself a target of every villain in the series. Subterfuge was never part of his vocabulary and while his conviction was admirable, his methods were not. He was often fueled by rage and pure luck in staging his operations. Never once have I been impressed by is plans for an operation because it simply meant death and bloodshed, ill advised acrobatic exhibitions, all while bringing along his ragtag bunch of rogue cops, military men and ex-cons to the mix. He became known for his signature angry face, but in fairness, Coco Martin’s dramatic prowess remained intact. The thing is — in real life, good intentions are often not enough to succeed, unless you are Cardo Dalisay. Wag tularan.