Darna (2009 TV series)

Mars Ravelo's Darna
Format	Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Created by	Mars Ravelo
Starring	Marian Rivera Iwa Moto Mark Anthony Fernandez Dennis Trillo Francine Prieto Ehra Madrigal Katrina Halili Paolo Contis Nadine Samonte Regine Velasquez Angel Aquino Rochelle Pangilinan Jackie Rice Akihiro Sato Roxanne Barcelo Robert Villar Rufa Mae Quinto Alfred Vargas Raymart Santiago
Country of origin	Philippines
No. of seasons	2
No. of episodes	140
Production
Running time	45 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	GMA Network (Philippines)
Original run	August 10, 2009 – February 19, 2010

Darna is a superhero Philippine drama adapted from Mars Ravelo's fictional superheroine of the same name; directed by Dominic Zapata and developed by Jun Lana.^[1] It is the third series based on the Darna graphic novels by Mars Ravelo. It stars Marian Rivera as the title role and its alter-ego Narda, with Iwa Moto as her main nemesis Valentina, also starring Dennis Trillo as Pancho and Mark Anthony Fernandez as Eduardo.^[2]

The series had premiered on August 10, 2009 on GMA Network and ended on February 19, 2010, and also featured the return of the other four villains originally created by Ravelo himself.^[3] The first season consist 70 episodes and the same with second season wit 140 episodes all in all.

Cast and characters^[4]

Starring

• Marian Rivera as Narda / Darna (Season 1 & 2)
• Mark Anthony Fernandez as Eduardo (Season 1 & 2)
• Iwa Moto as Valentina / Babaeng Ahas (Season 1 & 2)
• Dennis Trillo as Pancho (Season 2 only)
• Katrina Halili as Serpina / Babaeng Anakonda (Season 2 only)
• Francine Prieto as Lucifera / Babaeng Tuod (Season 1 only)
• Maggie Wilson as Lutgarda / Babaeng Linta (Season 1 only)
• Nadine Samonte as Roma / Babaeng Impakta (Regular season 1, guest star season 2)
• Ehra Madrigal as Armida / Babaeng Lawin (Season 1 only)
• Paolo Contis as Kobra and Zandro (Lalaking Ahas) (Season 1 & 2)
• Angel Aquino as Tagapangalaga ng Bato (Season 1 & 2)
• Regine Velasquez as Elektra the Planet Woman (Season 2 only)
• Rochelle Pangilinan as Deborah /(Babaeng Mananangggal) (Season 2 only)
• Jackie Rice as Helena /(Babaeng Demonyita) (Season 2 only)
• Akihiro Sato as Vladimir / Lalaking Bampira (Season 2 only)
• Roxanne Barcelo as Aleli (Season 1 & 2)
• Robert Villar as Carding / Ding (Season 1 & 2)
• Rufa Mae Quinto as Francesca (Regular season 1, recurring season 2)
• Raymart Santiago as Crisanto (Season 1 & 2)
• Alfred Vargas as Gabriel (Regular season 1, recurring season 2)

Minor cast

• Caridad Sanchez as Loleng
• Celia Rodriguez as Perfecta
• Mike Pekto Narcisa as Jerry
• John Feir as Tomas
• Eddie Garcia as Padre Mateo
• Ricky Davao as Dr. Morgan
• Gabby Eigenmann as Apollo
• Bearwin Meily as Watson
• Renz Valerio as Young Eduardo
• Jestoni Alarcon as Simon
• Rita Avila as Alicia
• Angeli Nicole Sanoy as Young Narda
• John Apacible† as Nestor
• Janice de Belen as Consuelo
• Sweet Ramos as Young Valentina
• Polo Ravales as Shiro
• Krissa Mae as Liberty
• Mura as Impy
• Sabrina Man as Young Serpina

Critical reception

Darna opened with rave reviews, writer Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirer described the pilot episode as "loud and livid". Torre continues to mention "...two performances stand out because they’re 'different'. The first is Janice de Belen’s portrayal of Consuelo, the mother of Valentina. De Belen’s characterization is outstanding, because it’s deeply felt, while not being over-the-top..." and "the other interesting performance thus far is turned in by Iwa Moto as Valentina. With some help from creative scripting, her character is more tragic and conflicted than past versions of the story had it".^[5]

Jun Lana's script was also praised by Torre for creating "Valentina’s terrible secret initially pains her rather than turns her into a vengeful monster, and the ostracism she suffers adds enormously to her loneliness and grief, which are alleviated only by her only friend, Narda. Of course, the ironic twist to all this is that Narda will eventually morph into superheroine Darna, with whom Valentina must fight to the death." Lana told Manila Bulletin that this version of Darna will be "totally different" especially with the characters, he mentions "what if Narda doesn't want to become Darna?" - a subject never touched upon in other versions of the graphic novel.^[6]

See also

• List of programs broadcast by GMA Network
• Darna
• Darna (2005 TV series)

References

1. ^ Marian Rivera excited over first taping day of Darna pep.ph
2. ^ First Read on PEP: Marian Rivera is the new Darna! pep.ph
3. ^ Marian Rivera, the new DARNA marsravelodarna.com
4. ^ Darna Cast Information igma.tv
5. ^ Loud, livid welcome for ‘Darna’s’ return inquirer.net
6. ^ Psychic predicts more success coming Marian Rivera’s way mb.com.ph