Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan

Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan
Title card
Also known as Zaido: The Space Sheriff
Genre
Developed by Don Michael Perez
Directed by Dominic Zapata
Starring
Theme music composer Raimund Marasigan
Opening theme "Zaido" by Sandwich
Country of origin Philippines
Original language(s) Tagalog
No. of episodes 100
Production
Executive producer(s) Helen Rose Sese
Production location(s) Philippines
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 September 24, 2007 (2007-09-24) – February 8, 2008 (2008-02-08)
Chronology
Related shows Shaider

Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan (International title: Zaido: The Space Sheriff / lit. Zaido: The Space Police) is a Philippine television drama science fiction series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is a spin-off of the Japanese Metal Hero series Space Sheriff Shaider.[1] Directed by Dominic Zapata, it stars Dennis Trillo, Marky Cielo and Aljur Abrenica.[2] A special Zaido: Ang Bagong Alamat (The New Legend) – The Making of Zaido aired on September 22, 2007. It premiered on September 24, 2007 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Impostora. The series concluded on February 8, 2008 with a total of 100 episodes. It was replaced by Joaquin Bordado in its timeslot.

Premise

Twenty years have passed since Alexis del Mundo, the second Shaider, destroyed the clan of Fuuma Le-ar. The descendants of the clan, now known as the Kuuma, have emerged to ruin the universe. Gallian, a descendant of del Mundo, has a mission and forms a group of space police known as the Zaido.

Cast and characters

Dennis Trillo portrays Gallian Magdalion.
Lovi Poe portrays Mona Langit.
Kris Bernal portrays Amy Maltayra.

Lead cast

Gallian was the Crown Prince of the Planet Nalax prior to the Kuuma-supported coup by his uncle Izcaruz which resulted in the death of his parents. His training for the Kingship of Nalax, coupled with his heritage, makes him a talented and dedicated leader. As the Blue Zaido and head of the Zaido he was tasked to look for other Zaidos all over the world to help him fight for the safety of the universe. During his first stay on Earth he met Carmela who he believed was his fiancé Princess Arianna. Based on his rank, his name, having the commander's daughter as his love and his alien origins he represents Uchuu Keiji Gavan. He also has the power of telekinesis. When he transforms he says the words: Codename: Zaido Blue: Alagad ng Kapayapaan (Sentinel of Peace).
Alexis comes from a poor family. After watching his father die from a sniper's bullet he has since vowed to help destroy evil. He became a policeman and tried to live up to the principles of righteousness even when his colleagues were being corrupted by criminal elements. When Gallian finds him he joins the Galactic Force and eventually becomes the Green Zaido. He has feelings for Amy but has not yet realized this. His name, Alexis, is the same as the main character in the Philippine dubbed version of Shaider. Alexis turns out to be Drigo's son, which Helen had said to him, and half-human half-Kuuma. He is part of Kuuma forces due to his father, Drigo, and he is renamed as "Sigma" by Le-ar. As Sigma he commands the revived Kuuma monsters to bring forth chaos on Planet Earth. Despite being a Kuuma he does not kill his mother.[3]
Alexis' cousin who was raised in relative comfort and security under the wealthy Torres family but later leaves after finding out he was an adopted child. Because of this he is kidnapped by the Kuuma but is saved by Gallian and Alexis. But even with his less than pleasing personality he manages to attract the girls—everyone except Amy. He has a robot which was made to serve him called Robix (a customized Robosapien that transforms from a Rubik's Cube). He is also the biological son of Sharina one of Shaider's children (she is named after Sharivan the space sheriff). Drigo mistakenly assumes Cervano is his son.

Supporting cast

Helen is a mother to Alexis, Alvaro and Oggy. She has a secret involving one of her sons that will change the destiny of the Zaido. Unknown to many, her original name, according to Commander Zion, Shanara, is also one of Shaider's children. She is the wife of Drigo who impregnated her and she pretend to be Sharina her twin sister.
Alexis' older brother who was led life as an outlaw upon their father's death so he could provide for the family.[4]
A colleague and friend of Alexis' father Alberto Lorenzo as well as an outstanding policeman. Unknown to Lorenzo's family Ramiro is also the head of a criminal syndicate composed of corrupt police officers and other lawless elements. He orders Alberto's death and that of his son Alvaro when Alvaro discovers what happened to his father. He has also recently ordered the execution of Mona when the young reporter comes dangerously close to exposing him and his gang. He does not carry this out as the case of Alvaro is "solved" when he frames one of his men as the supposed murderer of Alvaro. The Kuumas want to know from Ramiro if they need to locate and retrieve Le-ar's body on Earth and he replies that Helen (Shanara) knows the location of the body. He makes the condition that he will give the information about Le-ar's body in exchange for his daughter. Ramiro eventually affiliates the Kuuma forces after his relationship with Helen has broken. He is the one who found Le-ar's body. Ramiro wants to fuse with Le-ar when he has to get his daughter back but the Kuuma lord declines.[6][7] Ramiro is an homage to Hunter Killer of Space Sheriff Series.
Known as Princess Arianna of Avea whose destiny is to marry Prince Gallian of Nalax. She is lost during the Kuuma-supported coup of the planet and her ship crashes into Earth. She is found alive by Mona and her grandmother but she loses her memory. She was named as Carmela Langit and falls in love with Alvaro Lorenzo. She once again meets Gallian when he crashes to Earth after fighting the Kuuma and is inexplicably attracted to him. Reluctant at first Carmela eventually helps Gallian locate the other Zaido. Busy with her sister looking for leads as to the fate of her missing boyfriend Carmela finds out that her memories are still intact even though other humans had their memories erased after witnessing the Zaido and Kuuma fight on earth. This makes Gallian conclude that she is really Princess Arianna. Carmela (or Arianna) can fight against evil characters like Kuuma and the Amasonas and she sometimes teams up with Amy in battle. The Kuumas extract the blood of Carmela so that they can create a copy of her. She later joins in the Galactic Force after she is saved from Kuuma by Zaido Blue. When Gallian flies home to his planet he attacks the Kuumas, including Izcaruz, and saves his "mother (Armida)" and "Arianna".[8] Unknown to Gallian "Arianna" tries to kill him. Gallian is thought to be Carmela and accused of murdering himself. Gallian finds out that Aryana and his mother were the impostors sent by Kuuma. The impostor Arianna was killed by Gallian and he proves that Carmela is really who she says she is.[9]
Carmela's adopted sister who was studying journalism in the city at the start of the series. When the Kuuma invade Alexis' hometown and the Lorenzos are forced to move to the city they end up living in the same neighborhood. Mona harbors a secret crush on Alexis and is distressed at his sudden "assignment". She investigates the disappearance of her sister's boyfriend Alvaro. In episode 11 Mona co–plays Annie from Shaider. Carmela saves Mona from Amasonang Puti's attack and then joins Carmela's group the Zaido before the final battle.[3] After the final battle she becomes a reporter and is given a promotion by her boss. In the end Carmela promises Mona that she will take care of herself. She ends the series living with Alexis and Sonia. Mona is a homage to Vivian the journalist from Shaider.
Alexis' cousin and colleague in the police force who has done nothing but make his life miserable and even pursues Mona when Alexis disappears. Thor's full name is a pun for "tormentor". Thor becomes an ally to the Zaido Squad. He and Mona watch Zaido Green (Alexis) killing Bola-boba and he salutes his cousin. After the final battle he confesses to his cousin Alexis and they become close friends.
  • Ian de Leon as Commander Zion
Head of Galactic Force and trains Gallian, Alexis and Cervano to form Zaido Squad. As their commander Zion also becomes a surrogate father for the three Zaidos. Luna, Zion's wife who was in his hallucinations, is still alive and is guarding the tomb of Kuuma Le-Ar's body which was buried on Earth by order by Zion himself. He is replaced by Armida as a leader of the Galactic Force. He finds out that Armida is a fake made by Kuuma. It is revealed that he is the biological father of Cervano and that he had a relationship with Helen's sister Sharina. He is saved by his biological son from execution by Cervano,. He is killed by Le-ar but before his last breath he promises Cervano that his son will defeat Kuuma once and for all. Commander Zion is a homage to Commander Qom from the Space Sheriff trilogy.
From the planet Zendar, a Galactic Force Academy student whose affection is fought over by Alexis and Cervano. She also aspires to be a Zaido but, much to her chagrin, Galactic Force rules say that no women can become a Space Sheriff. After masquerading as Odillion Lasseter, a dog person from another planet, Amy passes the Galactic Force examinations only to be exposed by Lyvia at the graduation ceremonies. Frustrated by her situation she escapes Galactic Force HQ and heads to Earth where she is taken in as a boarder by Doctor Eng. After assisting the Zaido in their first battle with the Amasonas she is made a full member of the Galactic Force. Before the final battle she activates some badges and kills the impostor Armida. In the final battle she kills the remaining Kuuma soldiers. After this she tells Cervano that she would live on Earth as her second home planet. Amy is a homage to Lily of the second Space Sheriff (Sharivan) series and Annie of Shaider.
Grandson and advisor of Le-ar. He is also the high priest of the Kuuma and is hailed as one of the most beautiful beings in the universe. Like his ancestor God Officer Poe, Babaylan Ida in the Philippine dubbed version, Ida maintains his flawless androgynous appearance by imbibing a concoction made from the blood of 13 young women.[10] Ida is known for his trademark phrase "Time Space Warp, ngayon din!" (which translates to "Strange Dimension, now!").[11] Ida is defeated by Zaido Green and Zaido Red. Ida becomes older and he and Le-ar are trapped in the Time Space Warp and both perish.[12]
Le-ar's field commander, he leads the Kuuma in their campaign against Earth. Unlike his predecessor Hessler (Drigo I) he is rather incompetent and is often the subject of derogatory comments. In flashbacks he reveals that he had a relationship with Sharina Cervano's real mother but unbeknowns to him and Captain Zion it was actually Shanara (Helen) who was impregnated by Drigo when she pretended to be her twin sister to break up with him. Drigo turns out to be the father of Alexis, not Cervano, and points out that his son is half-human and half-Kuuma. He dies after he saves his son Alexis, Alvaro and the Zaido Squad from Le-ar and Ida's attack.[13] Drigo is an homage to Hessler and Himley of Space Sheriff Series.
Debbie is the fastest of the Amasonas. Amasonang Lila's (Purple Amazon) expertise lies on the use of her personal weapon: the kali. She is Ramiro's daughter and a colleague of Mona's at the newspaper. Debbie has recently discovered that it was her father who ordered the execution of Alvaro Alexis' older brother. Later Debbie joins the side of good. After the final battle she reunites with her colleague Mona. In the end she and Alvaro become lovers.
  • Iwa Moto as Amasonang Itim / Sonia Tamano
Used to be a colleague of Carmela in a security agency. After Gallian saves her from a hostage-taker she readily falls for him but after making advances on him she is rejected and told off by Carmela. Adding to the fact that she was cheated on by her former boyfriend she is pushed to breaking and joins Kuuma. She is an expert with pistols and fights for the forces of Kuuma. Sonia later recants and joins the Zaido against the Kuuma. After the final battle she reunites with Carmela. In the end she is told by Carmela that she must promise to take care of Mona and ends up working in the Tala Times with Mona.
  • Melissa Avelino as Amasonang Rosas / Marla
A martial arts expert who used to be one of Doctor Eng's boarders. Before she became an Amasona she was harassed by her training officer at a fast food chain. When she rejected his advances and refuses to kiss the officer she is eliminated from training and replaced by someone who is more "qualified". Of all the Amasonas she is the strongest. Her weapons are a pair of short trident-like blades. Marla turns into a human again and joins the forces of good. After the final battle she reunites with Amy and ends up working with Dr. Eng in his store.
Cervano's former girlfriend. From her group she alone is cursed with a conscience and must struggle every time to choosebetween doing good or evil. Her weapon is a spiked ball attached to a chain which she uses to hit her enemies and/or make them immobilized by binding them with the chain. Stacy joins her former boyfriend's force the Zaido.
Another girlfriend that Cervano has scorned and she becomes more aggressive after becoming part of the Kuuma Empire. With her expertise in guns and her sharp eye for shooting she proves to be a formidable enemy. Rhea becomes an ally to Zaido Squad before the final battle.

Extended cast

An eccentric inventor who always believes that aliens exist. He is an homage to Shaider's Dr. Ang form the Filipino dub version of Kojiro Aoyama. He is known to drink Kuuma Le-ar's youth elixir. Eng joins the Zaido and the Galactic force in the final battle against Le-ar's forces.[3] After the final battle he returns into his original state and continues to run his medicine store.
  • Chariz Solomon as Gayke
  • Richard Quan as Danny Torres
  • Lovely Rivero as Mrs. Torres
  • Jacob Rica as Gelo Torres / Zaido Kid Red
Cervano's brother who is also adopted. He joins Zaido Kids as Zaido Kid Red (mini Cervano).
Lyka's sister and Commander Zion's daughter. She takes over flight instructor duties in the Galactic Force from her sister. She is bitter towards her father and Gallian as she holds them responsible for the death of her sister. She becomes a traitor and joins Kuuma. Nonetheless she saves her father from Kuuma and changes her heart to forgive him. She's also a half-sister of Cervano the biological son of her father. She is killed by Amasonang Kahel while trying to kill Drigo. Lyvia is a homage to Marin of Space Sheriff trilogy.
Commander Zion's daughter who teaches in the Galactic Force Academy. She also serves as an assistant to Gallian with whom she shares a forbidden relationship. This relationship is discovered by her father who forbids Gallian from ever falling in love as it will interfere with his duties of being a Zaido. After being rejected by both Gallian and her father Lyka commits suicide by intentionally crashing her ship into an asteroid. Lyka is a homage to Mimi of original Space Sheriff series.
Commander Zion's wife who is presumed to be dead but Zion still knows that she's alive and living on Earth to guard the body of Le-ar. To stay alive, she communicates with her husband by a projection. She's a stepmother of Cervano, her husband's biological son. After the final battle, she stays on Planet Earth as she guards the destroyed tomb of body of Le-ar and she told Cervano that even after his father's death, he can stay on Earth.
Youngest of three sons of Helen. He joins Zaido Kids as Zaido Kid Green (mini Alexis).
  • JM Reyes as Aqualia / Zaido Kid Blue
The young child from the Galactic Force who inspires Gallian. He forms a group called Zaido Kids, a mini version of Zaido Squad, and leads the group as Zaido Kid Blue. The other members are Oggy (Zaido Kid Green), Gelo (Zaido Kid Red), Vea (Zaido Kid Pink, mini Carmela) and Ave (Zaido Kid Yellow, mini Amy).
  • Charisse Hermoso as Ave / Zaido Kid Yellow
Twin sisters who are from Avea, Carmela's home planet. They are saved by Carmela and Aqualia from the Kuuma attacks. Later they join the Zaido Kids as Zaido Kid Yellow and Pink (mini versions of Amy and Carmela).
Miniature version of Ida who was born to Le-ar during Ida's birthday. Even if Ida speaks she merrely repeats what he says.[14]
  • Patricia Ysmael as Fasullo / Inday
  • Paulo Avelino as Cervano's buddy
  • Ken Punzalan as Cervano's buddy
  • Vivo Ouano as Cervano's buddy
  • Karen delos Reyes as Ederlyn
  • Lifernand as Dodong
  • Gio Alvarez as Giggle, Giga-wiga (human)
  • Sandy Talag as young Sharina
  • Gian Carlos as Toby Mendoza / Zaido Gold Shadow[15]
Cervano's fan in college who was being bullied by friends who become traitors to Cervano. Toby is ill and to survive he needs B- blood which Cervano donates since he also had B- blood. After his recovery he becomes best friends with Cervano. Seeing Cervano being beaten up by his former friends he saves him with the help of his newly acquired powers which came from Cervano's blood. He styles himself "Zaido Gold" and fashions a costume out of painted motocross riding gear and similar paraphernalia. He has participated in several battles with, and in some cases in place of, the Zaido and asks Cervano if he can be part of the team. When he is refused we next see him as Shadow a Zaido-like enemy who fights against the Zaido. It is revealed that Shadow is part of the forces of Kuuma. He disappears after being defeated by the Zaido Squad but is revived by Le-ar to fight them again.[16] He is defeated by the Amasonas.
The real Armida was the mother of Gallian, sister of Sharina and Shanara, and the queen of Nalax who died during the Kuuma-supported coup by Izcaruz. The Kuuma made the clone of her image (same as Arianna) so that they would infiltrate the Galactic Force and kill Gallian. Unknown to Gallian she and "Arianna" make him believe that they want to put Commander Zion and Carmela (the real Arianna) to death. Zion and Gallian find out that Armida is an impostor made by Kuuma.[17] She is killed by Amy so that she can activate the Zaido badges.[13]
  • Tiya Pusit as Angge Mentor
  • Dexter Doria as Selma
  • Jana Roxas as Sharina, young Helen Lorenzo
  • Ryan Yllana as Tabatino
  • Alex Crisano as Coach Vola
  • Mura as Buboy
  • Louie Alejandro as Izcaruz
  • Al Tantay as Alberto Lorenzo
  • Tai Tomoyuki as Shigeki[18]
A descendant of ancient Samurai warriors and will lead the attack of the Japanese sword fighters against the Zaido. His armor is invunerable and the Zaido Kids cannot easily defeat him.[6] He is defeated by Zaido Blue, Zaido Red and Amy despite his strong attacks and disappears.[7]

Voice cast

  • Tirso Cruz III as Kuuma Le-ar
Leader of the Kuuma Empire bent on annihilating all beings in the galaxy. Le-ar is a giant head with a third eye on his forehead and is permanently situated on the center Kuuma Palace wall. He "bears" the Kuuma monsters by spewing out a cocoon from his mouth. He seeks to retrieve his body which was found on Earth before the Zaido Squad does. He is beheaded by Zaido Blue. Le-Ar and Ida are trapped and die in the Time Space Warp and the tomb with his body is destroyed by Zaido Squad.[12]
  • Vincent Gutierrez as Shaider
  • Noel Urbano as Ulla
An alien rooster who invents gadgets, weapons and machines for the Zaido and the Galactic Force. Ulla is a homage to Kitz from Shaider. Ulla works with Dr. Eng in the final battle against Kuuma. In the end he is taken a prisoner along with Dr. Eng, Amy, and others and goes back to Galactic Force HQ along with Gallian, Carmela and three of the Zaido Kids.
  • Jeffrey Tam as Robix

Reception

Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan earned a 34.6% rating.[19] While the final episode scored a 32.3% rating.[20]

Critical response

The series received negative reviews from critics. Entertainment critic Nestor Torre viewed that Zaido's visual effects felt "borrowed" from iconic references such as Star Wars. He also cited the inconsistency between the series' glossy sci-fi effects and the dated martial arts fight scenes and sword fights saying that "an advanced civilization would have had an equally high-tech warfare, as well as some distracting details in production design."[21] It was also noted that the director Dominic Zapata was not a Shaider fan either.[22]

In the February 2008 issue of Otaku USA, the Tokyoscope R5 Central column called Zaido the "Tokusatsu version of Passions" saying "It's like GMA Network just wanted to make yet another soap opera but slapped Shaider on just to get ratings."[23]

References

  1. ↑ ""Shaider" will not fly anymore on Philippine television". pep.ph. Retrieved July 11, 2007.
  2. ↑ "GMA-7 acquires exclusive rights to "Shaider"". pep.ph. Retrieved September 20, 2007.
  3. 1 2 3 "Episode 94". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-31. GMA Network.
  4. ↑ "Episode 37". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2007-11-13. GMA Network.
  5. ↑ "The Man Behind the Mask". iGMA.tv. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. 1 2 "Episode 87". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-22. GMA Network.
  7. 1 2 "Episode 88". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-23. GMA Network.
  8. ↑ "Episode 72". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-02. GMA Network.
  9. ↑ "Episode 93". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-30. GMA Network.
  10. ↑ "Episode 1". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2007-09-24. GMA Network.
  11. ↑ "Episode 22". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2007-10-23. GMA Network.
  12. 1 2 "Episode 99". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-02-07. GMA Network.
  13. 1 2 "Episode 98". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-02-06. GMA Network.
  14. ↑ "Episode 57". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2007-12-11. GMA Network.
  15. ↑ "Gian Carlos joins elite space police as Zaido Gold". pep.ph. Retrieved 2007-11-04.
  16. ↑ "Episode 89". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-24. GMA Network.
  17. ↑ "Episode 90". Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan. 2008-01-25. GMA Network.
  18. ↑ "Japanese actor joins the cast of TV series Zaido". gmanews.tv. Retrieved 2008-01-22.
  19. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (September 25, 2007). "TV Ratings (Sept. 24): Impressive debut for "Zaido" and "Lastikman," but "24 Oras" grabs top spot". Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  20. ↑ Santiago, Erwin (February 12, 2008). "TV Ratings (Feb. 8-11): "Joaquin Bordado" makes its mark". Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  21. ↑ "'Let them view TV fantasy series'". Inquirer.net. September 29, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-06.
  22. ↑ "'Zaido' director no 'Shaider' fan". Inquirer.net. October 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-07.
  23. ↑ Otaku USA Issue#4: February 2008, Tokyoscope: R5 Central – "Return of the Space Sheriffs", page 138.
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