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Nothing prepares viewers for the heartbreaking revelations in the November 17 episode of “What Lies Beneath.”
After calming herself with the upbeat tune of “Sabay-Sabay Tayo,” Erica (Kaila Estrada) and Marco (Race Matias) visit Alice’s (Janella Salvador) house to discuss Edong’s (Jake Cuenca) escape and his potential plans for revenge against those who have wronged him.
On the other hand, Lucas (JM de Guzman) arrives home, still troubled by Erica’s speculation about Edong’s revenge and the vague plan Edong had mentioned to him in prison. Concerned about his brother’s state, Lucas tries to call Edong but receives no answer. Instead, it is Steve who calls him, which he decides to ignore.
Still lost in thought, Lucas goes to the second floor, cluttered with unpacked belongings. There, he recalls Edong’s statement about how Lucas can work to get what he wants, but Lucas rejects the idea, reasoning that he is still unable to free his brother.
A knock at the door breaks Lucas from his trance, and three policemen from the National Law Enforcement Agency (NLEA) stand before him, led by Police Maraflorez, who presents a legal document summoning him for an investigation into Edong’s escape.
Erica is finally heard by Alice and Beth on the matter of Edong
Inside Alice’s (Janella Salvador) house, where Edong (Jake Cuenca) first infiltrated, the three MABEL girls reunite—Erica (Kaila Estrada) with Marco (Race Matias), Beth with Ryan (Yves Flores), and Alice herself.
To calm Beth’s panic, Erica explains that the NLEA is already taking action, specifically noting that they will begin searching the areas where Edong is likely to hide—especially Amurao, since his supposed targets, including them, are located there.
Erica adds that Edong has long been going in and out of prison, a perfect cover for him, which explains how he tracked and killed Celestino (Bart Guingona), a point Marco confirms.
As Alice expresses her worry that Edong plans to mess with their heads before killing them, Ryan voices his frustration, emphasizing that Edong’s plan might already be compromised since he was caught on the CCTV footage. Erica agrees, noting that they now know how to better protect themselves: she turns to the NLEA for protection details, Alice hires multiple security personnel, and Ryan insists that their family will stay in their home.
With no sign of Mel (Sue Ramirez), Erica relies on Alice and Beth to explain the precautions. Beth responds frantically, asking how long they will remain guarded with Edong still on the loose.
Mel struggles to withstand Edong’s threats and Anton’s abuse
Back at the Montenegros, Anton (Jameson Blake) is on a call with General Diego Carreon about increasing security to protect Mel (Sue Ramirez), including patrol cars and bodyguards. The general bids Anton goodbye, making a point to mention Anton’s father, which reveals the Montenegros’ connection to the police force.
After the call, Anton assures Mel that she will be fully protected. When he puts his hand on her, she pulls away with a look of hatred. Unbothered, Anton asks her about Edong, but she refuses to speak on the matter. He touches her injured area again, causing her to whimper and slump in pain.
Once again wearing his pretentious mask, Anton feigns another apology, prompting Mel to question if he’s enjoying her pain. Indirectly responding, Anton instead expresses excitement about being cooped up together, just like during the pandemic.
Mel talks about her events and meetings, reasoning that she could have the bodyguards he hired accompany her instead of being alone with him.
Edong opens up to Lucas about his untold trauma
One of the NLEA officers, Sanchez, interrogates Lucas (JM de Guzman) about his connections with his brother, Edong (Jake Cuenca), particularly questioning how he could remain unaware of Edong’s plans despite frequent visits.
As the interrogation continues, Lucas’s denials lead Sanchez to mention the wide-scale search for Edong, implying that Edong will likely be killed.
After the heated questioning, Lucas receives a call from Edong, who is in an unknown location. Lucas confronts his brother, saying that this wasn’t part of their plan. In response, Edong begins to confess that he has stopped using drugs, fulfilling his promise, but is instead delivering the goods that the wardens had arranged.
Lucas urges Edong that they can use this information to have him serve as a witness, which could help make his sentence commutation easier. However, Edong insists that his freedom no longer matters.
Laden with revenge, Edong recounts to Lucas the untold traumas of his time in Bagumbayan Prison. Beyond the beatings, humiliation, and strict errands, he was molested and sexually assaulted by multiple inmates, led by one named Tatang.
One night, while all the prisoners were asleep, young Edong (Renshi de Guzman) was sharpening his toothbrush on a cell bar, already planning to end his life in the bathroom—until Tatang arrived, assuming Edong was ready to ‘serve’ him again.
With Tatang urging Edong to bring Lucas so he could do the same to him, Edong slowly filled with intense anger, recalling all the people who had caused him pain: Crisanto (Gerald Madrid), young Beth (Allyson McBride), Celestino (Bart Guigona), and their aunt, who had taken away their home.
Blinded by rage, Edong soon stabbed Tatang multiple times, leaving the man begging for mercy. After that altercation, Edong became both respected and feared inside the prison.
Don’t miss an episode of “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, and iWant.