Lupin (Philippine TV series)

infobox television
bgcolor=#c00
fgcolor=#fff
show_name = Lupin


caption = The World's Most Wanted Thief
format = Action, Adventure, Dramedy, Crime, Thriller, Comedy
picture_format = 480i SDTV
runtime = 30-45 minutes
creator = GMA Entertainment TV Group
director = Mike Tuviera
executive_producer = Wilma Galvante
starring = Richard Gutierrez as Lupin
For the complete list, see the Cast
theme_music_composer = Janno Gibbs
opentheme = Janno Gibbs and Ara Mina
endtheme = Janno Gibbs and Ara Mina
country = flagicon|Philippines Philippines
language = Filipino, Tagalog, English
network = GMA Network
first_aired = April 9, 2007
last_aired = August 17, 2007
num_episodes = 95 episodes + 1 special
preceded_by = Bakekang
followed_by = MariMar
related = Lupin III
website = http://www.igma.tv/shows/lupin
imdb_id = 1018841

Lupin is a Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network. It is loosely based on the French crime fiction series of books featuring the character Arsène Lupin [ [http://www.igma.tv/story/475/Lupin-and-his-Ladies "Lupin, and his Ladies!"] , "igma.tv", n.d. Accessed last February 25, 2007.] and the Japanese manga and anime series "Lupin III", in turn loosely based upon the original works. "Lupin" aired its last episode on August 17. 2007.

Overview

Background

Arsène Lupin

Created by Maurice Leblanc, Arsène Lupin first appeared in a series of short stories serialized in 1905 and published in book form as "Arsène Lupin, gentleman-cambrioleur" in 1907 [http://www.coolfrenchcomics.com/arsenelupin.htm Cool French Comics - "Arsène Lupin".] Accessed last April 29, 2007.] (translated into English as "The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar").

Born in the late 19th century, Lupin is a gentleman thief, a master of disguise, and an amateur detective. While operating on the wrong side of the law, he is still a force for good. Those whom Lupin defeats are worse villains than he. Other characters in the stories include Lupin's faithful accomplice Grognard and his lawman adversary Inspector Justin Ganimard. In some stories Lupin faces Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes (called "Herlock Sholmès" for copyright reasons).

The Lupin stories have been adapted for television (including animation), cinema, and comics. [ [http://www.coolfrenchcomics.com/arsenelupin2.htm Cool French Comics - "Arsène Lupin in the Media".] Accessed last April 29, 2007.]

Lupin III

Lupin III was created by Monkey Punch in 1967 (without permission from the estate of Maurice Leblanc) and has starred in several manga series, television series, and films. GMA had previously aired a dubbed version of the television series.

The world's most skillful and most wanted thief, this Lupin is the grandson of the original. Sometimes he just steals whatever he wants, and at other times he prefers to steal from disreputable people. Often he will take it upon himself and his gang to foil other criminals engaged in more serious crimes. He often appears incompetent, but it is mostly a disguise. While he has been arrested and thrown in jail on a number of occasions he has always managed to escape. He also has a fondness for fancy gadgets from time to time.

Cast

Main Cast

*Richard Gutierrez as André Lupin / Lupin De Dios / Xedric Apacer
*Ehra Madrigal as Brigitte Maisog [ [http://www.igma.tv/story/491/Ehra-Getting-spunkier "Ehra, Getting spunkier!"] , igma.tv, n.d. Accessed last February 25, 2007.]
*Boy2 Quizon as Castor
*Katrina Halili as Veronica Arkanghel a.k.a Ashley Calibre
*Rhian Ramos as Avril Legarda
*Janno Gibbs as Inspector Clavio Angeles [ [http://philstar.com/philstar/PINOY200704017306.htm "Atras-abante si Cesar!"] , igma.tv, n.d. Accessed last April 1, 2007.]
*Tirso Cruz III as Fundador "Duroy" De Dios
*Ricky Davao as Master Moon Raven
*Lani Mercado as Cecilia Lupin
*Ara Mina as Sister Anna Nicole
*Polo Ravales as Josh Apacer
*Bearwin Meily as Danggoy
*Alicia Alonzo as Tiya Nelia
*Ramon Christopher as Perez
*Almira Muhlach as Victoria Apacer
*LJ Reyes as Elaine
*Sandy Talag as Angela
*Abby Cruz as Angeli Villavicer

Extended Cast

*Michael de Mesa as Minggoy Buang / Miguel Apacer
*Elvis Gutierrez as Sundance Raven
*Melissa Mendez as Edith Legarda
*Alyssa Alano as Marry
*Dick Israel as Warden Jouquin Bagbag
*Benjie Paras as Generoso / Jenny
*Debraliz as Tita Guring
*Andrew Wolfe as Adonis Angeles
*Dante Rivero
*Patricia Ysmael as Christa
*Rea Nakpil as Trixie
*Gerard Pizzaras as Ernie
*Neil Ryan Sese as Lopez
*Sheree as Virgin
*January Isaac as Sister Jorja
*John Apacible as Maskardo
*Tuesday Vargas as Magdalene
*Tyrone Perez as
*Roy Alvarez as Mayor Ybrahim Santiago
*Nonie Buencamino as Arsenio Lupin
*Archie Adamos as
*Joyce Jimenez as Courtney Amor
*Giselle Sanchez as Mama Sanaita
*Rez Cortez as Lt. Milyones
*Kier Legaspi as Sgt. Katas
*Paul Alvarez as Cpl. Uno
*Mang Enriquez as Pvt. Enriquez
*Gary Estrada as Cpt. Rosas

Production Crew

*Writers: Joles Katanyag, Zita Garganera, Tina Samson, and Kit Villanueva-Langit
*Head Writer: Suzette Doctolero
*Creative Consultant: RJ Nuevas
*Musical Director: Richard Gonzales
*Executive Producer: Hellen Rose Sese
*Production Managers: Redgie A. Magno and Rams David
*Executive-in-charge of Creative: Anette Gozon-Abrogar
*Executive-in-charge of Production: Wilma Galvante
*Assistant Director: Lore Reyes
*Directed by: Mike Tuviera

Pre-production

Casting the leading ladies

Ehra Madrigal was the first of the leading ladies to be in the cast. It was thought of that she will play the role of Fujiko Mine from the anime. Rhian Ramos was then included in the cast leading some people to think that she will play Lady Clarisse Cagliostro from the Lupin movie The Castle of Cagliostro. But when a third leading lady, Katrina Halili, was included in the cast, GMA Network announced that nothing except only some elements of the characters from the anime will be in the series.

Weeks before its initial release date, a fourth leading lady was brewing. Some suggested that it would be Georgina Wilson, Richard Gutierrez's girlfriend. It was denied by the network, and beauty queen-model Abby Cruz was included for the fourth leading lady role instead.

Cesar Montano

Cesar Montano was included in the cast and has done all the promotional photo shoots for the series. He was set to play Lupin's master. But he had to leave the series after he decided to run for senator in the 2007 Philippine elections, as his appearance in Lupin during the campaign would constitute a violation of election laws.

Edu Manzano was initially eyed to replace him, but he also had to turn down the role due to two prior commitments he has made with GMA Networks rival station ABS-CBN: to host Pilipinas, Game KNB? in place of original host Kris Aquino and to appear in the drama series Walang Kapalit.

It was Michael de Mesa who finally took on the role of Minggoy Buang/Miguel Apacer that was initially offered to Cesar Montano and Edu Manzano.

Reaction

Overall, the series was well-received by critics, audience and fans of the anime/manga alike. Many critics have mentioned that Richard Gutierrez has improved a lot on his acting and Mike Tuviera, the director of the series, for his directing skills. Janno Gibbs was also praised by many critics, viewers and anime/manga fans for his comedic portrayal of the detective (homage to Detective Zenigata of anime series) with a personal commitment to put Lupin behind bars for good. GMA Records has decided to release a DVD Series some time in September.

ynopsis

Lupin (Richard Gutierrez) is a veteran thief trained by his father Duroy (Tirso Cruz III) in the art of stealing from a young age. But after meeting his girlfriend Angelie (Abby Cruz), Lupin sought to turn over a new leaf by quitting his job as a thief and then marrying her. Upon learning of this, Duroy, fearing of losing his greatest asset, secretly connived with the Maskardo Gang to ruin his son's dreams by assassinating Angelie during her wedding with Lupin. The plan was eventually consummated, and Duroy then secretly killed the perpetrators to cover his tracks. Duroy's involvement might have forever remained a secret had it not been for his female asset Ashley (Katrina Halili), who managed to get wind of the consummated plot when she chanced upon hearing about it in a secret conversation between Duroy and his right-hand man Perez (Ramon Christopher). Ashley then informed Lupin about this, thus starting Lupin's quest to avenge Angelie's death without ending up behind bars...

oundtrack

The theme song for this series is entitled Lupin Theme Song, which was composed by Janno Gibbs and sung by both Janno himself and Ara Mina. The song pays homage to the original anime theme song of Lupin III.

Trivia

*Ryza Cenon had to leave the project to be part of "Fantastic Man". She was replaced by LJ Reyes.
*Although the series was based on both the Japanese and French series, the name is constantly being mispronounced by the Filipinos. It should have been "Lu-Paan" instead of "Lu-Pin."
*In Episode Four of the series, Officer Perez's name plate actually reads "Domingo."
*In local tabloids, Joey de Leon confirmed that he was offered twice by GMA Network to star in either of their two Telebabad shows: Asian Treasures or Lupin. But due to health reasons, the TV host/comedian declined both offers.
*Ehra Madrigal's surname in Lupin which is "Maisog" is also the surname of Sunshine Dizon's role, Bakekang. This is not a common surname.
*Katrina Halili's character Ashley was killed off August 14, 2007. This is because Katrina is in another role of another GMA Telebabad show, Marimar, where she plays Angelika Santibañez.
*Ashley and Brigitte weapons of choice were a reference to Jigen and Goemon from the anime.

See also

* List of programs previously aired by GMA Network

References

External links

* [http://www.igma.tv/shows/Lupin "Lupin"] at [http://www.igma.tv/ iGMA.TV]
*