I am so excited about GMA7's newest fantaserye, Darna. Especially that it will star Angel Locsin as Narda or the heroine Darna. Aside from being an original Filipino superhero, I am proud about this because I am sure that GMA has the ability to make this the best ever version of Darna. And yes, Angel Locsin really showed her best in Mulawin and I bet, she'll be surprising us not only with her wit and expertise in acting, but with her fighting skills that she's learned from months of training. I have below an article published on page A2-1 of the March 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer by Jocelyn Valle, and Marinel Cruz of Inquirer News Service.
ANGEL Locsin is the newest Darna.
And while people behind the upcoming television series on GMA 7 have known this since December last year, die-hard Angel fans are getting their confirmation only now, here in Inquirer Entertainment.
"There were many others who auditioned for the role of Darna," explained director Dominic Zapata during a break in the first shoot for the show's teaser. "I'm not saying no one else looked the part, but Angel was the unanimous choice."
The "others" included Karylle, Diana Zubiri, Jennylyn Mercado, Nadine Samonte, Iza Calzado, Rica Peralejo and Ara Mina.
Zapata said Angel's Darna would be "as sexy as possible." He said the heroine's reworked red-gold costume was made of latex -a mixture of waxes used for such products as balloons and medical gloves-skin-tight and sturdy.
"At the same time we made sure she'd be comfortable in it even when she did her stunts," the director said. "The action sequences in the series will be nothing like those in Hong Kong movies. 'Darna' is very Filipino. We culled influences from traditional dances, like the tinikling. We owe it to our culture. Tatak Pinoy dapat."
Ding, Darna's sidekick and brother, will be portrayed by "StarStruck" ultimate survivor CJ Muere. Playing the young Ding is child actor Renz Valerio.
Alessandra "Alex" de Rossi plays the villain Valentina. Unlike Darna who's clad in a sexy two-piece, Valentina wears a snakeskin bodysuit with holes. "She doesn't have a hairpiece made of snakes," Alex volunteered. "There's only one cobra on her head. She has two snakes that she uses as whips."
"There is no bigger Pinoy character than Darna," Zapanta stressed. "And while the series will feature 'staples' like Valentina and Ding, new characters will be introduced as well. Darna will not be just a do-gooder. She will have a higher mission. This story is more compelling. Our goal is to live up to the expectations of fans and make this interesting to generations of viewers that have only heard of Darna."
The late Mars Ravelo created the superheroine in the 1950s. "Darna" was first serialized in Pilipino comics. In May 1951, the character was brought to the big screen for the first time, with Rosa del Rosario in the lead.
Other actresses who have portrayed the role are Liza Moreno, Eva Montes, Gina Pare¤o, Vilma Santos, Rio Locsin, Sharon Cuneta, Anjanette Abayari and Regine Velasquez.
Other actresses who have portrayed the role are Liza Moreno, Eva Montes, Gina Pare¤o, Vilma Santos, Rio Locsin, Sharon Cuneta, Anjanette Abayari and Regine Velasquez.
Last year, GMA Network Inc. bought the rights to produce "Darna: The TV Series." The pilot episode will air next month. Another "Darna" film is reportedly in the making.
Inquirer Entertainment visited the "Darna" set one Sunday afternoon and had a chat with the cast members.
Here's what the stars had to say about their characters.
Here's what the stars had to say about their characters.
Angel Locsin
"The GMA 7 bosses informed me about the show last January, but I didn't think much about it because I was still in 'Mulawin.' This show will be more advanced, compared to 'Mulawin.' There will be more special effects, more flying and more stunts."
"The GMA 7 bosses informed me about the show last January, but I didn't think much about it because I was still in 'Mulawin.' This show will be more advanced, compared to 'Mulawin.' There will be more special effects, more flying and more stunts."
"People will see a different Narda-no longer a crybaby, palaban na (a fighter). She goes through a lot of trials, which makes her stronger. She is the family's breadwinner. She sells fish and vegetables in the public market in the morning and works as a janitress at night.
"Conflict arises when she acquires her power and starts helping people as Darna. She fails to get to work on time, nababawasan ang sweldo niya (she gets pay cuts). Her brother Ding, who needs his allowance to go to school, gets suspicious.
"In the beginning, Narda's relationship with Ding is very unstable. They love each other but fight a lot about money. This is because Ding does not understand why his sister suddenly disappears or fails to make it to work on time.
"Valentina is Narda's cousin and childhood friend. Their rift starts when, while exploring the forest, Valentina gets swallowed by a giant anaconda. Valentina gets angry because she thought Narda left her behind. In fact, Narda left to look for help. But of course, when the anaconda releases Valentina, she has changed. She's become scheming and vengeful."
Alessandra de Rossi
"Initially, I was reluctant to take on the villain role, my first, because I didn't want viewers to hate me. I've heard of TV villains being hit by fans with umbrellas in the mall. But I think people are more mature now. They already know that what they see on TV is not real life.
"The TV adaptation delves into Valentina's anger, which dates back to her childhood with Narda. Even after years of not seeing her cousin, Valentina remains bitter and furious. She lures Darna's love interest away. Whoever comes to Darna's life, I will steal from her-kasi nga maganda ako!
"I'm studying how to deal with my vertigo [non-existent sense of balance]. 'Di ba kailangan flat kapag lumilipad? I can't do that! But getting on a harness is not a problem to me. I've done it before but this is the first time that I'll do stunts while flying. It helps that I took up karate-do before and I'm so hyper."
"Initially, I was reluctant to take on the villain role, my first, because I didn't want viewers to hate me. I've heard of TV villains being hit by fans with umbrellas in the mall. But I think people are more mature now. They already know that what they see on TV is not real life.
"The TV adaptation delves into Valentina's anger, which dates back to her childhood with Narda. Even after years of not seeing her cousin, Valentina remains bitter and furious. She lures Darna's love interest away. Whoever comes to Darna's life, I will steal from her-kasi nga maganda ako!
"I'm studying how to deal with my vertigo [non-existent sense of balance]. 'Di ba kailangan flat kapag lumilipad? I can't do that! But getting on a harness is not a problem to me. I've done it before but this is the first time that I'll do stunts while flying. It helps that I took up karate-do before and I'm so hyper."
Sandy Andolong
"I play the role of Prospera-Valentina's mother and Narda's wicked aunt. Narda's father, Manolo, and I have the same father, but I don't like him. I am rich, he is really poor. I maltreat Narda and her brother Ding.
"I play the role of Prospera-Valentina's mother and Narda's wicked aunt. Narda's father, Manolo, and I have the same father, but I don't like him. I am rich, he is really poor. I maltreat Narda and her brother Ding.
Karen de los Reyes
"I'm Alice, Narda's best friend. Like Narda, I sell fish and vegetables in the public market. My character is very funny and kikay. It's very different from my kontrabida role in 'Mulawin.' I'm very pleased. Very few people know that I enjoy making people laugh. Now, I finally get the chance."
"I'm Alice, Narda's best friend. Like Narda, I sell fish and vegetables in the public market. My character is very funny and kikay. It's very different from my kontrabida role in 'Mulawin.' I'm very pleased. Very few people know that I enjoy making people laugh. Now, I finally get the chance."
Caridad Sanchez
"I accepted the role of Aio only after the producers explained to me how powerful the character is. She is the only remaining living being from the planet Andranika. She comes to Earth to pass on the power of the queen of that planet to a human being who can continue the queen's mission. For now, that's all I can tell you about her." (Maureen Larrazabal plays the role of the younger Aio.)
"I accepted the role of Aio only after the producers explained to me how powerful the character is. She is the only remaining living being from the planet Andranika. She comes to Earth to pass on the power of the queen of that planet to a human being who can continue the queen's mission. For now, that's all I can tell you about her." (Maureen Larrazabal plays the role of the younger Aio.)
Tonton Gutierrez
"I am Manolo, father of Narda and Ding and Prospera's half-brother. I'm a farmer and I spend most of my time in the field. My family is very poor. We are indebted to Prospera because we live on one of her properties.
"Later in the series, viewers will see me transform into Nosforamus, Pinoy version of the Grim Reaper. He feeds on people's dreams and good memories. Manolo turns into a villain when the evil Braguda possesses him."
"I am Manolo, father of Narda and Ding and Prospera's half-brother. I'm a farmer and I spend most of my time in the field. My family is very poor. We are indebted to Prospera because we live on one of her properties.
"Later in the series, viewers will see me transform into Nosforamus, Pinoy version of the Grim Reaper. He feeds on people's dreams and good memories. Manolo turns into a villain when the evil Braguda possesses him."
Jeremy Marquez
"I'm June, Narda's friend and secret admirer. My character likes Narda so much, but her heart beats for someone else.
"Angel is the perfect Darna for me because she's beautiful and she can do both action and drama. Alex is also the best choice for Valentina. Natural ang pagkataklesa n'ya (She's naturally tactless)."
Thumbs up to GMA7 and the cast and crew of Darna!
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