In this very first episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya aired on May 15, 1991, Romnick Sarmienta plays Allan, a social climber who is ashamed of his impoverished state and pretends to be well-off to blend in with his rich friends in school. His father, a street sweeper, works very hard to meet his luxurious needs. Only when it is too late does Allan realize that money does not necessarily make a man happy.