Filipinos watched the classic love story of “Ngayon at Kailanman” begin as JoshLia’s first teleserye opened to strong ratings last Monday (August 20).

The episode, which introduced the powerful Cortes clan, garnered a national TV rating of 31.2%, or 13.9 points higher than its rival “Onanay’s” 17.3%.

The highly anticipated “Ngayon at Kailanman” episode introduced viewers to the Corteses, who are willing to do to keep their wealth and power.

Although Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto did not make an appearance in the episode, viewers tuned in and tweeted about the show, making its hashtag #SimulaNgKailanman trend on Twitter.

Many praised the storytelling of the episode, like user @Ekis08 who wrote, “I don’t usually tweet about teleserye but when I do, I am impressed. The best teleserye pilot for me so far!!! Ang intense, the storyline, the deaths every after gap, the dilemma of each and every character, iba rin ang child actors eh!!! #SimulaNgKailanman #NgayonAtKailanman.”

Meanwhile, @yezthatgirl tweeted about her favorite scene, “Aaahhhh pilot episode was intense!!!! Island 2nd set of parents death scene had me crying like a baby!!!! #SimulaNgKailanman.”

@ethanderbolt expressed his appreciation for the classic teleserye story, “At last, ABS CBNs giving us back this kind of teleserye after the recent action fantasy series. #SimulaNgKailanman.”

This week, the story will show Inno (Joshua) and Eva (Julia) grow up into adulthood and the values that will shape their characters.

How will destiny bring Inno and Eva together?

Tune into “Ngayon at Kailanman” every night on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida, after “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”