Edmundo “Edong” Santiago, notorious as a drug-influenced teenager, troublemaker, and the murderer of Louisa Mae Soria (Mutya Orquia), was, at heart, a sweet boy who loved his mother and protected his family from his abusive father, Crisanto (Gerald Madrid).
As unshakeable as he is at this point in the series, Edong has endured profoundly scarring experiences that altered the course of his life, ultimately becoming a tragically feared villain in the eyes of those who first set him on that path.
Without a doubt, these events in Edong’s life help us better understand his motivations and make us wish for his freedom.
Edong’s childhood was shaped by an abusive home
Violence is no stranger to the young Edong (Renshi de Guzman), who often gets into brawls with his drunken and abusive father, usually with the purest intention of defending his battered mother, Dolores (Jennica Garcia). His bravery is fully revealed when he has his father arrested by the local police on a robbery charge.
During his father’s imprisonment, Edong lived peacefully with young Lucas (Andrez del Rosario) and their mother, choosing to work menial jobs while leaving academics to Lucas. This calm soon ended when their father returned and beat Lucas into unconsciousness and their mother to death.
Because he was not present to protect his family, Edong bears the guilt and grief of losing their mother and becomes overprotective, relying on illicit activities such as drug dealings and theft.
With his aggressive tendencies fuelled by destructive habits, Edong gets into an altercation with young Beth (Allyson McBride) and Louisa (Mutya Orquia) while attempting to defend Lucas from their insults—an action that becomes a critical turning point, leading to his false accusation in Louisa’s murder.
The trauma that consumed Edong in Bagumbayan Prison
Even before his time in Bagumbayan Prison, Edong had little chance of escaping his tragic fate, as Officer Celestino (Bart Guingona) relentlessly beat him out of personal vendetta—blaming Edong for his son’s repeated stints in drug rehabilitation. He eventually ensured Edong’s unjust imprisonment for Louisa’s murder by intimidating witnesses.
Esther (Malou Crisologo) was the catalyst that placed Edong at the center of the murder case. Fearing that he would reveal her embezzlement of alumni funds to the police, she made a false statement identifying Edong as Louisa’s killer, allowing her to avoid immediate suspicion.
Once inside Bagumbayan Prison, Edong was immediately subjected to beatings, burns, humiliation, and strict tasks, as well as molestation and sexual assault by multiple inmates led by one named Tatang—whom he soon stabs multiple times.
At times, when he talks to Lucas, even more heartbreaking circumstances are revealed to him, including the loss of their home and exile from their extended family. The loving brother, Edong, cries at the thought of leaving his little brother alone outside and blames himself for it, momentarily forgetting the scars he still bears.
Before Edong became both respected and feared inside the prison, he bit the bullet, tired of being belittled, and began aiding the corrupt police system by delivering illegal goods arranged by the wardens. This gave him leverage, allowing him to use the benefits he gained to move in and out of prison.
Edong’s acts of poetic justice against those who wronged him
Now on the path to self-destruction, with no intention of looking back, Edong is set to continue his streak of revenge—beginning with Celestino, whom he beats to death with a bat and throws among the trash, mirroring what the officer once did to him.
Demonstrating how his resilience has morphed into unthinkable violence, he then decides to confront the hypocritical Esther—an act believed to involve the cutting of her hand, symbolizing her theft of funds and donations, as well as the life she took from Edong.
Evidently, Erica (Kaila Estrada), Beth (Charlie Dizon), Alice (Janella Salvador), and Mel (Sue Ramirez) would be his next and final victims—something he has meticulously prepared for, having learned the corrupt systems and hierarchy, and now fights back, refusing all help.
Edong’s sacrificial love for his brother
At the peak of Edong’s escape, after being injured by the police, he finds a temporary resting place and calls Lucas (JM de Guzman). During the call, he learns that Lucas has also become involved in the same dirty dealings with the Kyos, a life he, too, cannot escape.
Edong breaks down, lamenting that Lucas should have been the only one who remained clean between them. He continues, expressing that no matter how harsh his own experiences in prison were, he was grateful that Lucas didn’t have to endure the same.
He then bids farewell to Lucas, urging him to live for himself.
Don’t miss the course of Edong’s vengeance in “What Lies Beneath,” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, and iWant.