MariMar (Philippines TV series)

This article is about Philippine television series. For the original Mexican television series, see Marimar (TV series).

MariMar
Format	Drama, Action, Adventure, Romance
Created by	Inés Rodena Televisa
Developed by	Dode Cruz
Directed by	Joyce E. Bernal Mac Alejandre
Starring	Marian Rivera Dingdong Dantes
Theme music composer	Tata Betita
Opening theme	MariMar (in Tagalog) sung by Regine Velasquez
Ending theme	Mahal Kita, sung by Maricris Garcia
Country of origin	Philippines Mexico
Language(s)	Filipino, Tagalog, English, Spanish
No. of episodes	155 + 4 specials
Production
Executive producer(s)	Wilma Galvante
Location(s)	Metro Manila, Philippines Zambales, Philippines
Running time	30-45 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	GMA Network
Picture format	480i SDTV
Original run	August 13, 2007 – March 14, 2008
Chronology
Related shows	Marimar
External links
Website

MariMar^[1] was a Philippine drama previously being broadcast in GMA Network, starring Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes.^[2]

Though a remake-adaptation of a Mexican telenovela the setting and some of the storylines were altered.^[3] Directed by Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre, the series premiered on August 13, 2007 and ended on March 14, 2008. It was aired internationally with a one week delay on GMA Pinoy TV, which became a huge success to Filipino viewers abroad. The series also aired in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, China (dubbed in Mandarin), Cambodia (dubbed in Khmer), Uganda and in the United States (airing Sundays on KIKU/Honolulu with English subtitles).

Overview

1994 TV series

Main article: Marimar (TV series)

Marimar was a Mexican TV telenovela that was first aired in 1994 on Televisa with singer-actress Thalía in the title role.

The series had 75 forty-five minute episodes, and is the second part of a "Maria" trilogy. The first was Maria Mercedes, and the final was Maria la del Barrio.

It aired on RPN 9, the home of all Classic Philippine Dramas, and became the most loved Soap Opera in Philippine History.

2007 TV series

Casting Marimar

The contract with Televisa for the rights stipulates that GMA Network should start the series in 2007. With Angel Locsin's rejection of the offer, the network was prompted to give auditions to their roster of young actresses for the highly profiled role. On March 13, 2008, a video of the fifteen actresses who auditioned for the role of MariMar leaked on YouTube. These actresses are Bianca King, Nadine Samonte, Jennylyn Mercado, Ryza Cenon, Jewel Mische, LJ Reyes, Rhian Ramos, Camille Prats, Pauleen Luna, Katrina Halili, Valerie Concepcion, Nancy Castiglione, Cheska Garcia and Karylle.^[4]

The role eventually went to Marian Rivera, who beat her closest rival for the role, Jennylyn Mercado. Some actresses who took part in the audition also landed major and supporting roles in the series. The anatagonist role of Angelika Santibanez went first to Bing Loyzaga but replaced by Katrina Halili after her character Ashley killed off from Lupin which would replace it, so the role of Esperanza went to Bing Loyzaga instead. The role of Natalia and Inocencia went to Bianca King and Nadine Samonte respectively.^[5]

Production crew

This series is a comeback project for Joyce E. Bernal in TV and for GMA Network.^[6]

• Writers: Benedict Migue, Denoy Punio and Kit Villanueva-Langit
• Head Writer: Dode Cruz
• Creative Consultant: Anette Gozon-Abrogar and Don Michael Perez
• Executive Producer: Wilma Galvante
• Production Manager: Redgynn S. Alba
• Executive-in-charge of Production: Wilma Galvante
• Directed by: Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre

Plot

Gustavo Aldama, a rich businessman, marries a woman named Lupita despite his mother's disapproval of their relationship. Things become more complicated when Lupita gives birth to Gustavo's daughter, who she names Marimar. Dolores, Gustavo's mother, believing Lupita married her son only for their wealth, does everything to separate the two of them.

Dolores drugs Lupita and hires a man, setting them up to make it look like Lupita is having an affair. Gustavo is devastated to find Lupita "sleeping" with another man, unknown to him that it was a plot by his own mother. Dolores then demands Lupita to leave their property and never to come back.

It's too late, however, when Gustavo finds out his mother's treachery. He could no longer find Lupita, who had gone into hiding along with his daughter. Lupita promises her daughter that one day Marimar will claim what is rightfully hers. Meanwhile, Gustavo leaves his parents and decides to live alone in Manila, not losing hope that one day, he would find his wife and daughter.

Seven years pass, but Gustavo's efforts to locate the whereabouts of Lupita and Marimar remain fruitless. One day, his cousin Esperanza visits him, carrying with her the news of his parents' fatal accident. Despite his ill feelings towards his mother, Gustavo goes home to finally put closure on his past.

While visiting the grave of his parents, Silva, a friend of Lupita, comes by to inform Gustavo the whereabouts of Lupita and Marimar. Gustavo doesn't waste any time and goes to reunite with his family. Lupita manages to forgive Gustavo, to the delight of Marimar who is overjoyed to finally meet her father.

On their way back to Manila, the passenger plane on which the family is riding crashes into the sea and separates Marimar from her parents. Gustavo once again loses the family he had tried so hard to rebuild. Lupita is later found dead, but Marimar is nowhere to be seen.

Marimar is washed ashore on a nearby island. She is found by a childless couple, Lola Cruz and Lolo Pancho, and upon discovering that Marimar suffers from amnesia, decide to raise Marimar as their own granddaughter. Lola Cruz calls her Marimar after seeing the name on Marimar's necklace. Young Marimar meets a young Angelika, and they become friends, playing in a beach. However, Marimar and Angelika start fighting when Angelika falls and breaks her arm, blaming the incident on Marimar.

Marimar then grows into an innocent and naive young woman, whose complicated and tormented life begins when she meets, falls in love with, and agrees to marry Sergio Santibañez, for the latter's reason to have revenge against his father Renato and Sergio's ex-girlfriend, Angelika, Marimar's childhood friend, who had become his new stepmother. Marimar is then subjected to the cruelty of Angelika in the Santibañez mansion. Here starts Marimar's awakening to the harsh reality of what her love for Sergio had done to her.

Finale Episode (The Wedding)

The finale episode of MariMar, "Sergio and MariMar, the Wedding", was aired live on March 14, 2008. The venue was at San Agustin Church, Manila.^[7] The reception was at Studio 3 of GMA Network Center and aired live. It replaced two Koreanovelas, Coffee Prince and The Legend to make it 2-hour special before Bubble Gang. This event includes not only the whole cast and staff of MariMar but also celebrities, fans and GMA staff. This is the third time that a Philippine finale episode event takes place live, the first one was ABS-CBN's Basta't Kasama Kita in 2004 and the second was Bakekang's finale episode. This event was tagged "The Wedding of the Year". The special guests in the final episode before the live event includes Rufa Mae Quinto, who is the voice cast of a dog Fifi, German Moreno, Tim Yap, Sandy Talag, Ricky Reyes, LJ Reyes, Arci Muñoz, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid as wedding singers, Regal Films producer Mother Lily Monteverde, executive producer Wilma Galvante, GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar, MTRCB chairwoman Consoliza Laguardia, and talent manager the late Douglas Quijano (died in 2009).

Awards

• 1st Filipino-American Visionary Awards (2008)
  • 2007 Favorite Television Actor - Dingdong Dantes
  • 2007 Favorite Television Actress - Marian Rivera
• 4th USTv Students' Choice Awards (2008)
  • Most Popular Drama/Miniseries
  • Most Popular Actor in a Drama/Miniseries - Dingdong Dantes
  • Most Popular Actress in a Drama/Miniseries - Marian Rivera
• 38th Box-Office Entertainment Awards (2008)
  • Most Popular TV Program
  • Most Popular TV Directors - Mac Alejandre & Joyce Bernal
  • Most Promising Female Star -Marian Rivera ^[8]
  • Phenomenal TV Star - Marian Rivera
• Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards Philippines 2008 Favorite TV Show - Marimar

Cast and characters

Main cast

Cast	Character	Summary
Marian Rivera	MariMar Perez-Santibañez Bella Aldama Marimar Aldama Santibanez	The epitome of simplicity and innocence, MariMar is an unassuming girl who falls in love with Sergio, the rich heir to the Santibañez hacienda. Her relationship with Sergio causes her misery until she learns to fight back. Little does MariMar know that she is the only heiress of the Aldamas.
Dingdong Dantes	Sergio Santibañez	Rebellious and impulsive, Sergio takes advantage of MariMar's naïveté to retaliate against his father and ex-girlfriend-turned-stepmother, but later because of Marimar's good nature he started falling in love with her.
Katrina Halili	Angelika Santibañez Angelika Aldama	The ambitious and stuck-up Angelika was Sergio's first girlfriend. Although she married Renato (Sergio's father) for his money, she makes it her life's purpose to ruin Sergio and MariMar/Bella Aldama's relationship.
Richard Gomez	Renato Santibañez	Renato is Sergio's father who's blinded by his love for Angelika. Although he is one of MariMar's main adversaries, he becomes an ally to MariMar/Bella Aldama to downfall Angelika's evil plans.

Supporting cast

• Jestoni Alarcon as Don Gustavo Aldama
• Rita Avila as Lupita Aldama
• Buboy Garrovillo as Padre Porres
• Leo Martinez as Lolo Pancho Perez
• Caridad Sanchez as Lola Cruz Perez
• Bing Loyzaga as Tiya Esperanza Aldama
• Manilyn Reynes as Corazon
• Gabby Eigenman as Nicandro
• Sheena Halili as Monica
• Mel Kimura as Perfecta
• Bianca King as Natalia Montenegro
• Marky Lopez as Arturo
• Rufa Mae Quinto as Fifi's voice
• Nadine Samonte as Innocencia Del Castillo
• Mike Tan as Choi
• Michael V. as Fulgoso's voice
• Nigel the dog as Fulgoso

Extended Cast

• Arthur Solinap as Diego
• Marvin Agustin as Rodolfo San Jinez
• Francheska Salcedo as Cruzita Aldama - Santibañez
• Dino Guevarra as Antonio
• Carmina Villaroel as Dra. Rhia Concepcion
• Lani Mercado as Vanessa May Aldama
• Hayden Kho, Jr. as Dr. Hayden Miranda
• Paolo Paraiso as Carlitos
• Sharmaine Santiago as Brenda
• Victor Aliwalas as Atty. Adrian Alasco
• K Brosas as Ms. Maressa
• Pocholo Montes as Inspector Vitug
• Raquel Montessa as Leonor
• Joseph Izon as Rodrigo
• Mike Gayoso as Angelika's bodyguard

Guest cast

• Jaime Fabregas as Don Augusto Aldama
• Pilar Pilapil as Doña Dolores Aldama
• Cristine Reyes as Kim Chan
• Kirby de Jesus as Mental hospital patient
• Irma Adlawan as Silva
• Solidad Cruz as Berto
• Bruno Folster as Bruno
• Gwen Garci as Olga
• John Lapus as Rafa Laurente
• Ailyn Luna as Cecilla
• Jan Marini as DSWD officer
• Joanne Quintas as Carlitos' wife
• Ronnie Lazaro as Angelika's father
• Ella Cruz as Young MariMar

International Release

• Thailand
• China
• Hawaii (KIKU-TV)
• Malaysia (TV3) ^[9]
• Singapore
• Indonesia (MNCTV) ^[10]
• Cambodia
• Vietnam
• Kenya (NTV)
• Uganda (NTV) ^[11]

Farewell TV Special

A farewell special entitled "MariMar: Isang Pasasalamat" was aired on March 9, 2008 prior to the finale week of the show. This is the second time that GMA Network made a farewell special, the first was for Encantadia. It got a 52.9% rating in Mega Manila which is the second highest for that date according to AGB-Nielsen. It rated a higher 38.1% in the March 2008 ranking of AGB Nielsen's Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement (NUTAM).

Trivia

A video on the auditions held for the MariMar role leaked on YouTube. The actresses featured in the video who auditioned for MariMar include: Bianca King, Nadine Samonte, Katrina Halili, Jennylyn Mercado, Valerie Concepcion, Ryza Cenon, LJ Reyes, Jewel Mische, Karylle, Rhian Ramos, Chesca Garcia, Pauleen Luna, Camille Prats, Nancy Jane and Marian Rivera.

Bing Loyzaga was earlier tapped to play the main villain Angelica. She was given the role of Tia Esperenza MariMar's two-hour finale hit 52.6% according to AGB-Nielsen in Mega Manila. It registered a 57.5% rating for non-cable. This beats the record set by Darna in 2006 who got 52.1% making MariMar, the highest rating primetime drama in the Philippines to date.

The finale episode of MariMar was aired on March 14, 2008. The two-hour finale highlighted the tying of the knots of Sergio Santibanez (played by Dingdong Dantes) and MariMar Aldama (Marian Rivera). The wedding was held at the historic San Agustin Church. The reception of the wedding in the finale was aired live in Studio 3 of GMA Network. Priominent persona in the industry graced the Santibanez-Aldama Wedding like beauty guru Ricky Reyes, young entrepreneur Tim Yap, Master Showman German Moreno, Regal Films producer Mother Lily Monteverde, executive producer Wilma Galvante, GMA Films president Annette Gozon-Abrogar and talent manager Douglas Quijano were sponsors. Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid were the wedding singers. Other celebrities like Rufa Mae Quinto, German Moreno, Sandy Talag, LJ Reyes, Arci Munoz took part in the wedding entourage. It was earlier announced big personalities and politicians like Imelda Marcos and Jinggoy Estrada were earlier invited as sponsors, but the network decided not to pursue because of political reasons.

A finale TV special entitled "MariMar: Isang Pasasalamat" was aired on March 9, 2008 prior to the finale week of the show. This is the second time that GMA Network made a farewell special, the first was for Encantadia. It got a 19.9% rating which is the second highest for that date according to AGB-Nielsen. Due to insistent public demand, the special, retitled "MariMar Memories" was re-aired on March 16, 2008 and it got an impressive 28.4% rating.

Due to the phenomenal success of MariMar, the management decided to give Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera a follow-up project which is the TV serialization of Filipino mermaid legend Dyesebel.

DVD release

The series was released onto DVD-format by GMA Records. The DVDs are in volumes, there are 15 total containing all of the shows episodes. The DVDs were released in 2008.

Soundtrack

The theme song of MariMar (in Tagalog) is sung by Regine Velasquez. The love song of Sergio and Marimar, "Mahal Kita", is sung by Maricris Garcia.

See also

• List of programs previously aired by GMA Network

References

1. ^ "MariMar" - Title based on IMDB
2. ^ Marian Rivera to star in Marimar
3. ^ GMA 7, siksik sa mga pasabog
4. ^ Marimar audition video
5. ^ Marian Rivera has "80 percent" chance of playing Marimar
6. ^ Direk Joyce Bernal jumps back to Kapuso Network
7. ^ Dingdong Dantes like a nervous groom during Wedding Scene with Marian Rivera
8. ^ FIRST READ ON PEP: John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo named Box-Office King & Queen for 2007
9. ^ MariMar on TV3
10. ^ [1]
11. ^ [2]

External links

• MariMar at the Internet Movie Database