Via (Claudine Barretto), the only daughter of Don Fernando (Juan Rodrigo), was raised as his darling princess. On her eighteenth birthday, she found out that her father has promised her hand in marriage to her childhood friend, Michael (Diether Ocampo), and before the birthday party was over, she got kidnapped. She was rescued by a good Samaritan named Gabriel (Rico Yan), whom she fell in love with. Michael, at the latter part of the story, became romantically involved with Via's best friend, Trina (Rica Peralejo). As the story unfolds, Via ended up having to decide between the two men in her life, while learning more about her mother Magda (Jaclyn Jose) and fighting off her evil aunt Selina (Princess Punzalan).
In the story, Selina was one of the most influential characters, due to her desire to acquire the power and wealth of Don Fernando, her brother. She possesses intelligence in illegal tactics that made her stronger and she used people in order to manipulate them when a bombing in the departure of Via and her family to start a new life began. Via lived a new identity but came back to her family, and they all faced Selina one last time in dignity and Via restored peace in her family.
The series title was based on the theme song which was sung by Jude Michael composed by Vehnee Saturno as the original acoustic version on television from PolyCosmic Records in 1997. Roselle Nava sang the movie version in 1999. The song was re-released in 2010 as part of 60 Taon ng Musika at Soap Opera. In 2011, for the remake used a version by Jovit Baldivino. Zsa Zsa Padilla's version from 1987 is used as well often in the series.
The series became consistent in its story plot so it was well received by the public. Its pilot episode in 1997 was 37.9%, the highest rating was 53.7% in 1998, while the average was 45.2%. Ratings are provided by AGB Nielsen Philippines.
In 1999, the series was adapted into a film, alongside another hit soap Esperanza. The film versions of Mula sa Puso and Esperanza were released on February 10, 1999, with the latter film being re-released later that year as part of the 1999 Metro Manila Film Festival which premiered on December 25, 1999.
The characters of Jennifer (Shaina Magdayao) and Connie (Janice de Belen) were introduced during the early part of the series, with Jennifer being the Ysmael and Connie's daughter. The movie version excluded both Jennifer and Connie's characters.
Criselda, Via's late stepmother, was played by Snooky Serna in the series. In the movie version, she was portrayed by Eula Valdes, who eventually became Selina in the 2011 remake.
Ysmael (Efren Reyes Jr.), Selina's husband, was always manipulated by her in the series, In the movie, Selina and Ysmael are sidekicks who virtually treat each other as co-equals to plot against Via and Don Fernando.
In the series, Elena (Gina Alajar) was hired by Selina and Ysmael to pose as Via's mother. The movie, however, did not include the said character.
Nicole (Anna Larrucea) was shot and killed in both the movie and the series, but the perpetrator behind her demise varied in the two versions. It was Manuel (Eric Quizon) who shot her in the series, while it was one of Selina's henchmen, Abdon (Carlos Morales), who shot her in the movie version. However, in both the movie and the series, Nicole was protecting someone when she died: Jennifer in the former, and Via in the latter.
Manuel (Eric Quizon) was a serial killer in the series while he makes a cameo as a guest during the wedding scene. It is likely that his movie character is not a serial killer unlike in the series.
Both the movie and the TV series featured Abdon (Ricardo Cepeda in the latter, Carlos Morales in the former) getting killed by Selina after putting a time bomb in a money case. However, the reason for Abdon's murder in the series was different from what was featured in the movie: Abdon blackmailed her in the series, while he killed Selina's daughter Nicole in the movie.
In the series, Gilbert (Jay Manalo) was Gabriel's (Rico Yan) first rival for the love of Via (Claudine Barretto). In the movie, Michael (Diether Ocampo) was Gabriel's first and only rival for Via's affection.
The series finale saw Selina (Princess Punzalan) getting run over by a 10 wheeler flatbed truck, leading to her death. In the movie, Selina died due to a car crash and eventual explosion. She was not able to get out of the car as she was punched and knocked down by Via (so that the latter could get out of the car).
After the success of the remake of Mara Clara during the first quarter of the year, ABS-CBN announced and aired the remake of Mula Sa Puso which premiered on March 28 to August 12, 2011.[1]
