Darna (2009 TV series)

Mars Ravelo's Darna
Title card
Genre
Based on Mars Ravelo's Darna
Developed by Jun Lana
Written by
Directed by
Creative director(s) Jun Lana
Starring Marian Rivera
Opening theme "Narda" by Kamikazee
Composer(s) Jay Contreras
Country of origin Philippines
Original language(s) Tagalog
No. of episodes 140
Production
Executive producer(s) Edlyn Tallada-Abuel
Production location(s) Manila, Philippines
Cinematography
  • Roman Theodossis
  • Rhino Vidanes
Camera setup Multiple-camera setup
Running time 30-45 minutes
Production company(s) GMA Entertainment TV
Release
Original network GMA Network
Picture format 480i (SDTV)
Original release August 10, 2009 (2009-08-10) – February 19, 2010 (2010-02-19)
Chronology
Related shows Darna (2005)

Darna is a Philippine television drama action fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based from Mars Ravelo's fictional superheroine of the same title. Directed by Dominic Zapata and Don Michael Perez, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role.[1][2] It premiered on August 10, 2009 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Zorro and worldwide on GMA Pinoy TV. The series concluded on February 19, 2010 with a total of 140 episodes.[3] It was replaced by Panday Kids in its timeslot.

Premise

Narda, a young woman who grew up in the orphanage at the town of San Martin. She lives a happy, quiet and simple life as a volunteer teacher until she learns from the "Spirit of the Keeper of the Stone" (Angel Aquino) that she is the chosen one to inherit a white pebble from the fallen planet of Marte that gives super powers.

Narda eventually meets again her childhood sweetheart Eduardo at the same orphanage. They were "special friends" when they were kids but was separated when Eduardo was adopted, leaving Narda behind in the orphangae. She hopes of rekindling their relationship after so many years but Narda's hopes were shattered when she discovered that her best friend since childhood, Valentina, fell for Eduardo.

Narda declined the responsibility of being Darna, since she just saw herself as a simple girl and cannot take on such huge responsibility, but her mind changed when she saw the massive carnage brought about by the resurrection of the four super villains that were set free from their ice prisons from under the sea, after an earthquake triggered a tsunami and surfaced and destroyed the ice prisons.

Through old news clippings, Narda discovered how the former Darna during the 1940s managed to defeat the four super villains but was dismayed when the Spirit of the Stone told her that she made a bargain with the villains and the four villains took some of the powers of the white rock. Narda now as Darna must beat the four super villains to get back all her powers. She faced one by one the four super villains namely: Roma (Nadine Samonte)- the Demon Woman who has a parasitic conjoined demon twin on her back that makes her feed on the hearts and blood of innocent victims; the cybernetic Hawk Woman, the perfect flying war machine; Lucifera- the plant witch that can use all flora as her weapons; and Lutgarda - the Leech Woman who can copy and absorb the strength and powers of anyone.

Narda also learned that being Darna takes a toll on her own life. She has to keep secrets from the people she loves to protect them, but her greatest challenge is when she finds out that the biggest evil to come into this world will be brought about by her own childhood best friend, Valentina who harbors a lifelong secret, she is a Gorgon and is the chosen Queen of All Serpents and Mistress of All Black Magic that will bring on the earth a new world order. Narda as Darna will face Valentina as her arch-enemy and must save all that she loves before it is too late.

Cast and characters

Marian Rivera portrays Narda.
Iwa Moto portrays Valentina.
Maggie Wilson portrays Octavia Moran.
Jackie Rice portrays Helena.
Katrina Halili portrays Serpina.
Main cast
Guest cast

Reception

Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Darna earned a 44.1% rating.[5] While the final episode scored a 32.9% rating.[6]

Critical response

Darna opened with positive reviews, writer Nestor Torre of Philippine Daily Inquirer said the pilot episode is "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".[7]

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.[8]

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. ↑ Picture of Angel Aquino as "Original Darna" on the Darna Blog
  5. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (August 11, 2009). "AGB Mega Manila TV Ratings (Aug. 7-10): Darna flies high on its pilot episode". Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  6. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (February 23, 2010). "AGB Mega Manila TV Ratings (Feb. 19-22): Panday Kids and Pilipinas Got Talent make strong impact on their debut". Retrieved March 6, 2018.
  7. ↑ Loud, livid welcome for ‘Darna’s’ return Archived August 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine. inquirer.net
  8. ↑ Psychic predicts more success coming Marian Rivera’s way mb.com.ph
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