Ratings According to
AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of ''My Husband's Lover'' earned a 22.8% rating. The final episode scored a 25.3% rating.
Critical response The series garnered a positive response from professional critics, noting network's move in producing an "out-of-the-box" television series. The show was featured on June 17, 2013 issue of UK-based
LGBT global news website
Gay Star News. It noted that the first episode of ''My Husband's Lover'' for its "mature, nuanced and honest depiction of gay characters." In his review, Walden Sadiri M. Belen of
Manila Bulletin responded well to the story, the ensemble's performances, and the director, said that "the story, unconventional and provocative as it is, was treated beautifully and convincingly. The subject matter — a married man and a father having an affair with another man — could be controversial considering the relatively conservative nature of Filipinos, but so far the series have been decent in presentation and treatment which is fast-paced too. And most noticeable was the remarkable portrayal of the main cast in their respective roles [...]. They are credible in their performances, and especially noted was
Tom Rodriguez's portrayal of a closet gay who is, ironically, the son of an army general. But all the other members of the cast also delivered A-1 performances:
Kuh Ledesma,
Victor Basa,
Glydel Mercado and
Karel Marquez." Radio and TV personality and
Manila Bulletin columnist
Mr. Fu said the show "was beautiful, moving, interesting and promising. It has very interesting characters played by credible actors [...].
Carla Abellana, for one, is able to make audiences feel her love for her mother and husband in the story. She has this very fresh television presence, that you would love to watch her every now and then. Dennis [Trillo] has already proven his acting talent and he does not fail on this show. A best example of a cute "gay who is not so gay", he knows when to use his eyes, his mouth, his whole body to portray the "gayness". Tom, on the other hand, can portray that "paminta" (closeted gay) character with confidence, and charm that makes him appealing on screen. Their on-cam chemistry also makes them effective in their roles. The way they trade lines is believable and their body language seems very natural. Their "revolving glass door" scene where they accidentally meet after years of not communicating was so romantic and intense."
Journals resident entertainment columnist Butch Roldan also reserved high praise for the show, said that "the series explains in a broad spectrum that love cannot be defined by sexual preference alone, that love has its own understanding of what is right and wrong and is ready to suffer even under very harsh circumstances."
Journals entertainment columnist, Mario Bautista gave it a mixed review, said that "the series should have started in the thick of things, since the title and the trailers have already shown where the story is going. Dennis [Trillo] should have been there from the start and then they just go back to how the story all started." Television and film director
Jose Javier Reyes congratulated the network "for taking a risk and giving a fresh take on the tired templates of the telenovelas for something new." Author of
Of God and Men: A Life in the Closet, Raymond Alikpala reviewed "GMA Network deserves congratulations for daring to go down this road less travelled. Eschewing the stereotypical storylines and cardboard cliché characters, the writers of ''My Husband's Lover'' are depicting homosexual persons as no different from heterosexuals, which is radical in these parts. Homosexual characters have long been television staples, but they have been limited to supporting roles and comic relief. The series' non-stereotypical depiction of gay men can accomplish what
Ladlad failed to do, which is to bring LGBT awareness into the mainstream of Filipino consciousness. Positive media depictions of LGBT persons are crucial in encouraging greater acceptance and recognition of our fundamental equality." Allan Diones of
Abante Tonite said that "
Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez has good screen chemistry [and] they are both excellent actors and can feel the emotions of their characters."
PEPs Mark Angelo Ching said
Suzette Doctolero and
Dominic Zapata for "how the show looks polished. It feels like a lot of brainpower went into the preparation of the show. Some elements are borderline meticulous, like choosing to add a variety of gay characters to battle the gay stereotype head-on." He even added that "unlike other shows that only depicts homosexual men as lustful beasts, or as sidekicks in crass, laughable situations, ''My Husband's Lover'' shows its gay characters in normal, everyday situations: going to the gym, working in an office, or relaxing at home. The characters have successful lives not as beauticians or stand-up comedians, but as architects and businessmen." Closing the review, he further added that the show "is progressive—a unique creation in today’s media landscape where gay men are mostly relegated as sidekicks who provide comic relief. Let’s hope that MHL continues to present homosexuals far from their cliché images on television."
GMA Network responded that they would continue to comply with MTRCB policies. The show impacted the
Philippine politics. On July 19, the
House of Representatives held a "mock" session for the new representatives which was about investigating the possible ending of the show. On August 8, 2013,
Albay - 1st District representative
Edcel Lagman filed the House Bill 2352 in the
16th Congress. He called it the ''My Husband's Lover'' bill which seeks to expand the scope of Article 333 of the
Revised Penal Code which only imposes punishment for a spouse having a sexual intercourse to another person of the opposite sex, other than their husband/wife. With this bill, it will add same-sex
adultery to provide equality in the society. ==Accolades==