My Special Tatay

My Special Tatay (transl. My Special Dad / international title: The Heart Knows) is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by L.A. Madridejos, it stars Ken Chan in the title role. It premiered on September 3, 2018 on the network's Afternoon Prime line up. The series concluded on March 29, 2019 with a total of 150 episodes.

My Special Tatay
Title card
Also known as	The Heart Knows[1]
Genre	Drama
Created by	Agnes G. Uligan
Written by	Renei Dimla Patrick Ilagan Loi Argel Nova Liberty Trinidad Nehemiarey Dallego
Directed by	L.A. Madridejos
Creative director	Roy C. Iglesias
Starring	Ken Chan
Theme music composer	Vehnee Saturno
Opening theme	"Kahit Man Lang sa Pangarap" by Rita Daniela
Country of origin	Philippines
Original language	Tagalog
No. of episodes	150 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Joseph T. Aleta
Editors	Robert Ryan Reyes Noel Mauricio
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	24–30 minutes
Production company	GMA Entertainment Group
Original release
Network	GMA Network
Release	September 3, 2018 (2018-09-03) – March 29, 2019 (2019-03-29)

The series is streaming online on YouTube.^[2]

Premise

Boyet, a young man with mild intellectual disability who has a quiet and simple life with his mother, will be changed when they find out that he has a child. Despite their state in life and Boyet's condition, they will take care of the child along with the help of aunt Chona and Boyet's childhood friend, Carol.^[3]

Cast and characters

Cast

Ken Chan

Lilet

Lead cast

• Ken Chan as Roberto "Boyet" Mariano Villaroman^[4]

Supporting cast

• Jestoni Alarcon as Edgar Villaroman^[5]
• Teresa Loyzaga as Olivia "Via" Salcedo-Villaroman^[5]
• Lilet as Isay Mariano^[5]
• Carmen Soriano as Soledad Villaroman^[5]
• Jillian Ward as Odette S. Villaroman^[5]
• Candy Pangilinan as Chona Mariano^[5]
• Arra San Agustin as Carol Flores^[5]
• Bruno Gabriel as Orville S. Villaroman^[5]

Guest cast

• John Kenneth Giducos as Deckdeck
• Phytos Ramirez as Jeff
• Cheska Diaz as Sheila Flores
• Barbara Miguel as Cindy Flores
• Rubi Rubi as Divine
• Matt Evans as younger Edgar^[6]
• Valeen Montenegro as younger Via^[6]
• Empress Schuck as younger Isay^[6]
• Ashley Rivera as younger Chona
• Dominic Roco as Peter Flores
• Elle Ramirez as younger Sheila
• Soliman Cruz as Bernardo "Obet" Mariano
• Kyle Ocampo as Eunice
• Johnny Revilla as Faustino Salcedo
• Lito Legaspi^[6] as Simon Villaroman
• Bryce Eusebio as teenage Boyet
• Euwenn Aleta as younger Boyet / Angelo L. Mariano
• Dayara Shane as teenage Carol
• Rita Daniela as Susan "Aubrey" P. Labrador-Mariano
• Mikoy Morales as Joselito "Ote" Mendiola
• Jhoana Marie Tan as Britney
• Jazz Ocampo as Erika Roque
• Kristine Abbey as Annie
• Joemarie Nielsen as Bert
• Cyruzz King as Paeng
• Angeli Bayani as Myrna Palomares Labrador
• ER Villa as baby Angelo L. Mariano
• Arny Ross as Monique Roque
• Agimat Maguigad, Cajo Tan, Clint Limbas, JR Palero and Rommel Calupitan as the Katambays
• Alchris Galura as Joel Dimaano
• Jon Romano as Rudy Flores
• Kiel Rodriguez as Dan
• Bernard Vios as Xander
• Frances Makil-Ignacio as Mamita
• Ayra Mariano as Anna
• Tonio Quiazon as Antonio Aguilar
• Lou Veloso as Miong
• Martin del Rosario as Gardo Guzman
• Jervi Cajarop as Bogart

Production

Principal photography commenced in August 2018.^[7] Filming concluded in March 2019.^[8]

Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in television homes, the pilot episode of My Special Tatay earned a 6.6% rating.^[9]

Accolades

Accolades received by My Special Tatay

Year	Award	Category	Recipient	Result	Ref.
2019	1st Inside Showbiz Awards!	Inside Showbiz Choice Performance of the Year	Ken Chan	Won	[10]
	13th UPLB Isko’t Iska Multi-media Awards	Most Development-Oriented Drama Program	My Special Tatay	Won	[11]
	17th Gawad Tanglaw	Best Lead Performance in a TV Series	Ken Chan Rita Daniela	Won	[12]
	50th Box Office Entertainment Awards	TV Actor of the Year (Daytime Drama)	Ken Chan	Won	[13]
		Most Popular Program (Daytime Drama)	My Special Tatay	Won
	7th Kagitingan Awards	TV Personality	Ken Chan	Won	[14]
		TV Drama	My Special Tatay	Won
	33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television	Power Tandem of the Year	Ken Chan Rita Daniela	Won	[15]
		Best Daytime Drama Series	My Special Tatay	Nominated
	VP Choice Awards	TV Actor of the Year	Ken Chan	Won	[16]