Kamandag Synopsis, Cast and Characters

Synopsis

Kamandag is a story about a creature that is half snake and half human. Kamandag begins deep down in a cave called the Ambograw, a place where different sorts of half human and half creature beings called Ambogs live. Its kingdom has six tribes: Hasbaya, snake tribe ruled by Haring Saban (Gardo Versoza); Lobobaya, wolf tribe ruled by Haring Gulag (Zoren Legaspi); Pusbaya, cat tribe ruled by Reyna Kuran (Francine Prieto); Goybaya, monkey tribe ruled by Haring Dinggol (Benjie Paras); Orobaya, bull tribe ruled by Haring Budol (Johnny Delgado) and Rapaya, a long lost reptile tribe ruled by Reyna Ragona (Sunshine Dizon). Haring Saban, who is the King of the half human and half snake people (Hasbaya Tribe) and his regular human wife Alicia (Eula Valdez) (the regular humans in the Ambograw are supposed to be caught and turned into slaves, although Saban fell in love with Alicia) and they had a baby. Though, the baby was destined to be killed because he looked like a regular human instead of an Ambog. Haring Gulag, Saban's enemy and King of Lobobaya Tribe, invited Saban to a battle between the two for the ruler of all Ambograw but Reyna Kuran, queen of Pusbaya Tribe, interfered and set them on fire. Saban died later. Meanwhile, Ikoy (Rainier Castillo) and his sister brought the baby into the human world for his safety. Domeng (Emilio Garcia) and Elena (Melissa Mendez) found a baby and they named him Vergel (Richard Gutierrez). Vergel later discovers his snake powers and his destiny to be a hero. Vergel names himself Kamandag, the savior of all beings. Haring Budol gives Vergel a mysterious bracelet, which was left by his father Haring Saban, and his bracelet makes Vergel transform into his armor. His mission is to bring down all kinds of evil, like his enemies Gulag, Kuran and especially Talim. Lucero (Mark Anthony Fernandez), Vergel's close friend and later enemy, becomes another half-snake half-human and becomes Kamandag's mortal enemy, who names himself as Talim. Kamandag and Talim fights for their love and glory.

Cast and characters

Main cast

·   Richard Gutierrez as Vergel / Kamandag

Ø The son of the Hasbayan King, Vergel is brought to the world of the mortals to escape his fate in Ambog. He is taken in by a kind couple who adopts him as their own, and Vergel grows up to become a compassionate man who decides to use his emerging powers for the good of everyone. Ten years after the defeat of his enemies, he meets Doro, Lily and Jenny. He chooses Jenny, then he actually tries to save Lily from the three kidnappers.

·   Mark Anthony Fernandez as Lucero Serrano / Talim

Ø Lucero was initially Vergel's best friend, but because of different upbringing and because they uphold different values, they become mortal enemies. Lucero shares the same powers as Vergel, but he would rather use his for personal gains. He joins Kamandag to save Jenny but he betrays him so Kamandag stabs him. He dies in an explosive blast to sacrifice his life for Jenny and Kamandag.

·   Maxene Magalona as Lily

Ø Lily hides a secret love for her childhood best friend: Vergel. She's also the lost daughter of Domeng who impregnated Vivian, her mother. Ten years later, she meets Vergel and she tells him that she's engaged with her fiancee. She gets kidnapped by three men while she watched Vergel and Jenny kissing but he saved her actually in the end.

·   Jewel Mische as Jenny

Ø Jenny is a Manila girl who becomes the woman both Vergel and Lucero will fight for. But the city girl hides a secret about her identity. Ten years later, she kisses Vergel but she sees Lily kidnapped by three men so she orders Vergel to save her.

·   Ehra Madrigal as Ditas / Denise / Lady Kamandag

Ø Ditas is the real daughter of Domeng and Elena. Vergel treats her as his real sister. She has snake powers which comes from Vergel's blood. She's a rival to Kamandag and Lucero due to their snake powers. She will join Kamandag's forces in the process. She reveals to be Lily's half sister.

·   Eula Valdez / Glaiza de Castro (young) as Alicia

Ø Alicia is a mother of Kamandag and wife of King Saban then later King Gulag. She seeks her missing son and her father to reunite with them once again.

·   Johnny Delgado as King Budol

Ø King of Orobaya tribe who is King Saban's close friend. Much like Saban, Budol's benevolence towards humanity as well as diplomatic skills are matched only by the beastly brute strength he displays in battle. He will later have his subordinates take the young Vergel into the mortal world where he would be safest from Gulag's reach and then eventually hand over the bracelet once owned by his friend to Vergel in inheritance. He was punished and then executed by his own son Agol and King Gulag.

·   Zoren Legaspi as King Gulag

Ø The ruler of the Lobobaya clan, King Gulag nurses a deep hatred for Haring Saban—because of a woman he lost to the rule of the Hasbaya tribe. Like Reyna Kuran, he is cruel to his mortal slaves. He becomes furious and finds vengeance after the death of his son Adlak (Kamandag's half-brother), who was killed by Lily. He is beheaded by Kamandag in the final battle.

·   Ariel Rivera as Abdon Serrano

Ø Lucero's father, Abdon is a small-time businessman who makes his business grow through unlawful means. He's also a son of Lolo Pepe and brother of Alicia. His life ends when Ditas bites and poisons him to death.

·   Ronaldo Valdez / Ramon Christopher (Young) as Don Pepe

Ø Don Pepe is a rich old man who longs to find his missing daughter. In the end, he reunites with Alicia after his long successful recovery by Eliza.

·   Francine Prieto as Reyna Kuran

Ø The most cunning ruler in the land of Ambograw, Queen Kuran leads the pack of the Pusbaya. She is most cruel to her slaves from the mortal world. She is stabbed to death by Alicia and dropped into the molten lava.

·   Rainier Castillo as Ikoy

Ø A Goybayan who is one of Kamandag's allies in his fight against   evil. He's a friend of Vergel/Kamandag. Dies in the final battle.

·   Francis Magundayao as Boyong / Dagok

Ø Another one of Domeng's adopted kids; Boyong also comes from the world of the Ambog. There is not a lot known about his real origins. He's the son of Reynang Ragona. He has fire powers which is inherited by his mother. His real name is Dagok.

·   Melissa Mendez as Elena

Ø Ditas' mother who was separated from Domeng. She's also the adoptive mother of Vergel. In the end, Elena repents her sins to Vergel and reunites him with Ditas.

·   Benjie Paras as King Dinggol

Ø King of the Goybaya clan, Dinggol is very friendly and very business-minded at the same time. Of all the rulers, he is the only one who doesn't want to be involved in tribal wars and alliances. He is, however, not one who would deliberately just turn his back on a friend especially when they needed him most, as seen when he threw Saban a usable weapon during the final moments of the Snake King's duel against Gulag, and right after Budol's execution - an event that would remain in Dinggol's conscience for some time. He later redeems himself by joining Kamandag's forces to battle King Gulag's forces. In the end, Dinggol is now the king of Ambograw.

·   Elvis Gutierrez as Agol

Ø As Haring Budog's son, Agol is a mystery to his people. He's also one of Gulag's allies in punishing slaves. Dies in the final battle.

·   Mike "Pekto" Nacua as Doro

Ø Another Ambog adopted by the kindly Domeng and Elena, Doro grows up to become Vergel's sidekick. He can transform himself into a werewolf. Ten years later, he becomes a businessman.

·   Gardo Versoza as King Saban

Ø Haring Saban rules of the Hasbaya tribe, and unlike the other rulers, he treats his mortal slaves with the same respect as he would his fellow Hasbayans. Because of this, the humans see him as their only hope in the world of Ambog. He was defeated by his rival Gulag and died in a fire. He finally meets his son in the spirit world and he will help him in the final battle.

·   Emilio Garcia as Domeng

Ø Domeng is the kindly man who takes in the abandoned Vergel. He becomes the child's adoptive father and he teaches the orphan the values he will uphold when he becomes of age.

·   Sunshine Dizon as Reyna Ragona

Ø Ragona is an Ambog who has fire powers and is the queen of Rapaya Tribe of Abograw. She finally meets her son Boyong/Dagok. She is also one of Kamandag's allies in his fight against King Gulag and Queen Kuran. In the end, Ragona ends up as the queen of Ambograw.

 

Supporting cast

·         Renz Valerio as Young Vergel

·         Alessandra de Rossi as Eleanor

·         Glydel Mercado as Vivian

·         Michelle Madrigal as Eliza

·         Bryan Revilla as Adlak

·         Ram Revilla as Harn

·         Maureen Larazabal as Cathy

·         Michael Flores as Sahir

·         Dominic Roco as Pigo

·         Karylle as Spectra

·         Alyssa Alano as Reyna Baba

·         Ynez Veneracion as Jaime

·         Saab Magalona as Eleanor's Friend

Source: Wikipedia

Kamandag (Philippine TV Series)

Kamandag, also known as Venom in English, is a fantasy Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from November 19, 2007 to April 25, 2008. Adapted from a comic strip popularized by renowned writer-director, Carlo J. Caparas in the ‘80s, GMA’s newest telefantasya focuses on the adventures of a half-man, half-beast who will defend humans against injustice and evil.

Kamandag’s Origins

The story of Kamandag begins in a land called Ambrograw, the real of half-human, half-beast creatures. In this place, where the gods and goddesses of the animal kingdom reside, the mortals are treated like slaves and discriminated against. Five kingdoms exist, each ruled by a different animal: the snakes (Hasbaya), bulls (Orobaya), foxes (Lobobaya), monkeys (Goybaya), and wild cats (Pusbaya).
This land of creatures is where Vergel is born, the son of Saban, the king of snakes, and the mortal woman, Alicia. He became an outcast despite having royal blood in his veins.
His father wanted to give Vergel birthright but the kingdom’s detractors saw the situation as an excuse to wreak havoc in their work. So Vergel is then sent to the mortal world to group up as an ordinary human being.
Vergel soon discovers the extraordinary powers he possesses. Whenever he feels agitated when danger is near, physical changes manifest – scales appear on his skin and his sense of smell is heightened, among others. He can also unleash deadly venom. But blessed with a good heart, he uses these unique abilities to help people.

The Production

An ambitious fantaserye in the making, Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag, is no doubt another big production of GMA. It took them almost a year to prepare and finalize the details of the show which is very evident in the cast, costumes, sets, and designs used.

“We started working on this program since late last year. We announced that we are going to do this in the trade presentation that we had for the industry in January, so you see how much time we devoted in putting this program together. The designing sets, costumes, casting took us quite a while but from the very start this project was meant for Richard,” shares Ms. Wilma Galvanted during the press launch of Kamandag.

Directing the show is the fantaserye guru, Mark Reyes. “In the tradition of Encantadia, Mulawin, and Atlantika, here comes the next big epic of GMA na talagang pinaghandaaan. We were doing Kamandag probably a year before we go things rolling. Trust GMA to come up with something this big. Everything is fresh and the enerfy is there. You can see the costume, the set, I am very much excited about it!” declares the talented director. Together with Topel Lee, they assure the Kapuso viewers that they are in for a very explosive adventure.

“Mga Kapuso again hindi namin kay idi-disapoint dito sa bago naming telefantasya, ang Kamandag. Kakaiba siya, amadaming elemento ang magugustuhan niyo. Ito po ay first time na collaboration namin ni Richard, pero ang team ko ng Encantadia at Atlantika ay kasama ko ulit dito kaya expect that kind of quality, that kind of passion behind the show, so magugustuhan ninyo ito,” assures the very proud Mark Reyes.

Soundtrack
  The series has 3 official theme songs, all sung by different recording artists.

     "Mailap Na Landas"
          o Performed by Jan Nieto
          o Composed by Eric Torralba and Mark A. Reyes

     "Kamandag"
          o Performed by First Circle
          o Composed by First Circle

     "Bugnot"
          o Performed by Renz Echaore
          o Composed by Eric Torralba

     "Nandito Lang Ako"     
          o Performed by Voyz Avenue
          o Composed by Nei Mallari


Credits: telebisyon.net


Watch Kamandag Teaser:

Marina Photo Gallery

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Marina Cast, Characters and Role

Mermaids

• Marina Aguas - An obedient daughter to Esther and Elias. At the age of seven, she will be cursed to become a mermaid by the wicked Victoria. Out of love and protection, Esther sends her to the sea where she lives a different life under the loving care of Istah, the Queen of the Sea. Marina vows to win back her human form even if it entails big risks and unimaginable sacrifices. She later becomes successful in her pursuit to live a normal life, assuming a very important position in a prestigious resort. But during full moon and unknown to all, Marina, the rich and lovely executive, transforms back into a mermaid. Played by Claudine Barretto.
• Nanay Istah - She is the Queen of the Sea who takes good care of Marina the moment the young girl turns into a mermaid and is sent to Dagat Landia. Istah regards the poor mermaid as her own daughter and vows to do everything to make her adoptive child happy… and even if it means sacrificing her own life. She possesses a powerful necklace that preserves her youth and a sign of her unconditional love, offers it to Marina. Played by Sunshine Cruz. Lilia Cuntapay plays the older Istah.
• Quiana - One of the mermaids Marina will meet and befriend. Quianna has experienced living a normal life but opts to go back to the sea to become a mermaid again. She also killed Isabel's father because of her deal with Dugong. Played by Mauoi David.
• Vyxia - Is one of Marina’s loyal mermaid friends who will stop at nothing just to protect her. Reliable and supportive, she will be Marina’s constant companion in her new world under the sea. Played by Jenny Miller.
• Miria - This is one is a new mermaid, also the friend of Marina. But she had only a short part in all episodes. Played by Its Saludo.
• Isabel - She was a mermaid at Season 1. Played by Pauleen Luna.
• Dugyot (Sheila) - Sheila turned into a mermaid to help Marina. Played by Agot Isidro.
• Lorelei - She happened to be a mermaid since Marina's wedding invitation. Played by Eugene Domingo.
• Lirio - As a prince of the sea world, Lirio has the power to transform from a merman to a real human... but he has no power to change Marina's heart. In spite of their brief acquaintance, Lirio falls in love with Marina and proves himself integral in her mission to defeat Victoria. Played by Diether Ocampo.

Human Characters

• Esther Sto. Domingo - The loving mother of Marina and dedicated wife to Elias. She is Victoria’s ultimate rival in her quest to win Elias’ heart. Though she finds it very painful, she opts to send her mermaid daughter to the sea to protect her from the townspeople. Played by Snooky Serna.
• Elias Sto. Domingo - a kind-hearted fisherman who commits to love Victoria until he meets the woman of his dreams in the person of Esther. Victoria will make him regret marrying Esther for the rest of his life. And to save his daughter Marina from the evils powers of her ex-love, Elias chooses to live in the arms of the cruel sea deity. Played by Joel Torre.
• Pilar - She is Esther’s loyal assistant who would really give up her life for her employer. A caring mother to Isabel and Mario, Pilar single-handedly raises her two children through Esther’s support. Played by 'Debraliz.
• Sheila Corrales - She personifies the success story of a mermaid who becomes human… a living inspiration and foundation of hope to Marina. Sheila will be Marina’s connection to the real world. A good friend who promises to help the poor mermaid accomplish her dream. Played by Agot Isidro.
• Raphael Sandico - Esther’s psychiatrist who falls in love with Marina. Raphael is Quintin’s older brother and will later on be his rival in pursuing Marina. Played by Bobby Andrews.
• Isabel - Daughter of Pilar who idolizes Marina. Her father was taken by a mermaid and because of that, Isabel learns to despise all of them. Her fondness for Marina turns into hatred when she discovers that the young, successful woman is no human. Played by Pauleen Luna.
• Carlitos - He is Isabel’s best friend who is secretly in love with the pretty, young lady. Knowing that he can’t compete with Leon, he chooses to be Isabel’s shoulder to cry on. Played by Gabb Drilon.
• Lorelei - A crazy woman who care Elias when he become crazy. She is Elias’ closest friend who exhibits a very poor memory. Funny and at times weird, Lorelei was once a mermaid who gave up everything for love. Played by Eugene Domingo.
• Rodge - He first saw Marina as a young mermaid when he was but a little boy. This fateful encounter leaves him with a fixation on mermaids until he grows up to be a man. In his quest to find his precious mermaid once again, he is deemed by Victoria as Marina's true love and therefore must be stopped from breaking the curse. Amidst all of Rodge's good qualities lie a tragic flaw-- he is also the man in Luna's heart. Played by Raphael Rosell
• Randolph Rivera' - A good-looking scuba diver who goes to the fishing village and meets Luna. They get along well but the young lady misconstrues their rapport as something more than friendship. He is mesmerized by Marina’s beauty and decides to court her. But the moment Luna finds out about this, she starts to seek her mother’s powers to win back her loved man. Played by Alvin Fortuna.
• Quintin Sandico - a happy-go-lucky marine biologist who is commitment-phobic. Quintin is Raphael’s younger brother who will also develop a special feeling for Marina. He finds the young resort executive extremely appealing that he pursues her even if it will lead to a conflict between him and his older bother. Played by Luke Jickain.
• Leon del Rosario - Nephew of Esther who comes from Manila. Trendy and down-to-earth, he becomes Isabel’s highest crush. Although he likes her very much, he tries to hide his affection due to the sad truth that he shall die soon. Played by John Barretto.
• Ronald Martinez' - A scuba diver who devotes much of his time with his best friend Randolph. Their strong friendship belies the fact but Ronald begins to see Randolph as more than just a friend. Played by Robin/Robert Tolentino.
• Mario Ballestros - Yaya Pilar’s responsible son and Isable’s protective brother acts as the father figure in their family since the day his father was taken by a mermaid. Played by Dustin Reyes.

Other creatures

• Neptuna - Queen of the sea. Played by Patricia Lopez.
• Ninja - A turtle-like creature and a friend of Marina. Marina and him become friends when they've met in the Circus played by Mura.
• Pearly - A gay shokoy and a slave of Dugong. He became a slave of Dugong when Dugong were looking for a man to victim and she thought Pearly was a man played by Chokoleit.
• Lirio - The prince of the male mermaids and he have a love interest to Marina played by Diether Ocampo.
• Tandang Ella - A powerful witch.She is the mother of Dugong, she hates evil people, exactly why he prevent everything Victoria does and she has the power of Earth.
• Pinggoy - The son of the kind couple that adopted Marina. They are actually a family of fairies forced to disguise as humans to evade an evil fairy, Tutubina, and her allies. Pinggoy falls for the charms of Marina and this poses an added threat to his and his family's safety because Tutubina is in love with Pinggoy. Played by Onemig Bondoc.

Villains

• Victoria Raymundo - A sea deity who possesses supernatural powers over the sea. She falls in love with Elias but is tormented when she finds out that her great love marries Esther, a woman from Manila. She seeks Dugong’s help to grant her the power to curse the couple’s first child. Played by Cherie Gil.
• Luna - The love child of Elias and Victoria is a reluctant heiress to her mother’s evil powers. Simple and good-natured, she falls head over heels in love with Randolph. Upon knowing that Randolph’s heart belongs to Marina, she willingly accepts her mother’s powers to exact revenge against her rival. Played by Meryll Soriano.
• Dugong - she is the most forceful sea witch who gives Victoria the supernatural powers she needs. She has full control of the whole Dagat Landia and has the ability to see the future. With her mere eerie chant, she can claim countless lives. Dugong alone can make mermaids human… but only if she offered a precious gift she cannot resist. Played by Malou de Guzman.
• Gurruto - A king of a group of black people who wants to marry Esther but Esther doesn't like to marry him, so that Gurrutto is bring her to their dark world.
• Tutubina - She hates Marina because her crush Pinggoy have a love interest with Marina and not to her so she told to one of her Dragonflies to control the mind of Pinggoy by going inside his mouth.

Source: Wikipedia

MariMar (Philippines TV series)

MariMar was a Philippine TV Drama Series previously being broadcast in GMA Network, starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera in her first lead role as the protagonist Marimar.

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.

Main cast

• Marian Rivera as MariMar Perez-Santibañez/Bella Aldama/Marimar Aldama Santibanez
• Dingdong Dantes as Sergio Santibañez
• Katrina Halili as Angelika Santibañez/Angelika Aldama Sergio
• Richard Gomez as Renato Santibañez
• Jestoni Alarcon as Don Gustavo Aldama
• Gabby Eigenman as Nicandro
• Buboy Garrovillo as Padre Porres
• Sheena Halili as Monica
• Mel Kimura as Perfecta
• Bianca King as Natalia Montenegro
• Marky Lopez as Arturo
• Bing Loyzaga as Tiya Esperanza Aldama
• Leo Martinez as Lolo Pancho Perez
• Rufa Mae Quinto as Fifi's voice
• Hayden Kho, Jr. as Dr. Hayden Miranda
• Manilyn Reynes as Corazon
• Nadine Samonte as Innocencia Del Castillo
• Caridad Sanchez as Lola Cruz Perez
• Mike Tan as Choi
• Michael V. as Pulgoso's voice
• Arthur Solinap as Diego
• Cristine Reyes as Kim Chan
• 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
• Paolo Paraiso as Carlitos
• Sharmaine Santiago as Brenda
• Victor Aliwalas as Atty. Adrian Rosales
• Pocholo Montes as Inspector Vitug
• Raquel Montessa as Leonor
• Joseph Izon as Rodrigo
• Mike Gayoso as Angelika's bodyguard
• Kirby de Jesus as Mental hospital patient
• Irma Adlawan as Silva
• Rita Avila as Lupita Aldama
• Solidad Cruz as Berto
• Jaime Fabregas as Don Augusto Aldama
• Bruno Folster as Bruno
• Roanald Ferrer Jr as Baklita
• Gwen Garci as Olga
• John Lapus as Rafa Laurente
• Ailyn Luna as Cecilla
• Jan Marini-Pizzaras as DSWD Officer
• Pilar Pilapil as Doña Dolores Aldama
• Joanne Quintas as Carlitos' WifeRonnie Lazaro as Angelika's father

Source: Wikipedia

Marina TV Series Synopsis

Synopsis

Marina takes the viewer on the fairytale adventures of the mermaid Marina. Born as Cristina to human parents Esther and Elias, Marina falls victim to a curse by Victoria, a sea deity disguised as a normal woman. Seeking vengeance on Elias, who spurned her love and married Esther, Victoria cursed their daughter. In the hopes that Victoria would lift her curse on the child, Elias leaves Esther but eventually falls into insanity. Esther, on the other hand, was left to raise Cristina alone. When the curse came true and the child turned into a mermaid on her seventh birthday, Esther realized that Cristina's life would be endangered in their superstitious fishing village, where mermaids are believed to be unlucky. As such, Esther is forced to release Cristina in the sea, where she is found and cared for by the mermaids headed by Istah, their beauteous queen.

With the heart and mind of a human being, Cristina, now also known among the mermaids as Marina, dreams of nothing else but to walk again and live the life that was taken away from her. This is only possible through the sea witch Dugong. Marina seeks the help of Istah, who gives her a precious necklace to be offered to Dugong in exchange for her legs.

Marina became human again and returns to land to claim everything she has lost. However, she soon discovered that when the moon is full, she becomes a mermaid again and that only true love's first kiss can free her from the curse. Dugong, on the other hand, learned that the powerful necklace of Istah was a trap. Donning the necklace, she discovered that she cannot remove it and, worse, suffers the same injuries Marina does.

Meanwhile, Dugong's mother and Victoria's aunt, Tandang Ella, pays a visit to Victoria. She trades the power of the Aram for a chance to see her daughter again. Dugong, having been separated from her mother since she was an egg, harbored ill-feelings but, upon learning that her mother is alive and is looking for her, could not help looking forward to meeting her mother. Victoria, however, tricks the old woman and kills her the moment she met her daughter, believing Dugong hated her mother anyway. She kept the power of the Aram for herself.

On the eve of Marina's 21st birthday, Victoria and her daughter Luna paid a surprise visit to give her stepdaughter her "gift". Using the powers of the Aram, she turned Marina back into a mermaid. Victoria then went to a circus where she made the poor mermaid the star attraction. When the circus master wanted more oddities to star in the circus, Victoria also used the powers of the Aram to capture Dugong and her slave, Pearly.

Rodge attempted to rescue her love but Luna had placed him under a curse, turning him into a kitten. Eventually, with the help of her newfound friends, Marina was able to get away from Victoria's clutches and eventually found her way into another fishing town, to a family of fairies.

The King of the Seas ordered to have Victoria and Luna arrested and placed inside a force field prison for them not to get away. Marina, on the other hand was now able to live her life as a human when she married Rodge and was now pregnant.

All things seems well except for Victoria. She wants to give revenge to the people who foiled her evil plans. She had heard of a meteorite stone that, once in the hands of its owner, can give out an enormous power. She escaped from her prison and got her hands on one of the stones that fell that night. By using its power, the evil witch had Luna and Marina switch places, with the latter's unborn child now under Luna's womb.

One day, Marina woke up and found herself inside a prison and the shokoy guards calling her "Luna". She eventually come into conclusion that Victoria will not rest unless she gets her way. By the help of many of her friends who see her as Marina beyond what they physically see, they were able to break Victoria's spell, although Marina's child was still inside Luna's womb (in later episode, Luna gave birth to Marina and Rodge's baby girl who was later named Mariluna and seems to be inheriting Marina's curse).

Victoria still won't give up, that's why she had Marina killed but on the cost of her life. Marina's mother, Esther began having dreams for which Marina is talking to her to get the Leafar, a magical liquid that can resurrect the dead. But Victoria was able to get into the gate connecting the world of the afterlife and the world of living, standing Marina in between. Esther was surprise to see that who she had resurrected was not her daughter but the ever evil witch.

Marina, lost bin between the two worlds got help from her father, who is now a spirit. The only way to revive herself again to finally defeat Victoria was to return herself into mermaid once more.

Eventually, she was able to defeat Victoria but the cost of it, her last chance of being human forever. She gave her child under the care of Luna and told her to take care of her child as well as her husband, Rodge. Marina, now forever a mermaid for eternity, bid goodbye to Rodge and their child and returned once more into the ocean.

Magical objects

• Aram - a sentient stone with an orange glow kept in a small chest, this originally belonged to Tandang Ella. It was given to Victoria in exchange for helping the old witch find her daughter Dugong. It is capable of tapping into the power of the Earth or sealing other people within itself, among other things. It was eventually obliterated by Tandang Ella, who destroyed it from the inside when Victoria sealed her and Dugong within.
• Latigo ni Luna - a whip bestowed by the Aram to Luna, it contains part of the Aram's power.
• Leafar - a liquid that can resurrect the dead.
• Batong Bignoy - a greenish crystal ball that shows events, very much like a television, only, it has no sound. It has been used by Istah and, later on, Dugong.
• Batong Malo - Initially implanted in the eyes of Shiela, this gives its host the ability to fire beams of white light through their eyes, though these beams are fatal only to Dugong. It is also capable of increasing the amount of Samared stones a person may have.
• Kwintas ni Istah - A necklace that originally belonged to Istah. When it was worn by Dugong, it also served as a bond to Marina; whatever injury Marina suffers is also reflected in Dugong. It is a collection of stones, each with a peculiar power. The stones below were originally part of the necklace.

• Batong Samared - marble-sized stones that emit a green glow. It can grant wishes, allow its wielder to access the power of the seas and is capable of erecting dome-like shields. It is the only stone that can stand up to the power of the Aram.
• Batong Okyet - it has the power to turn a person into a mermaid.

• Bituing Kasang-alam - a fragment of a falling star, it has the power to grant almost all of its owner's wishes unlimitedly. After the Aram was destroyed, Victoria got one half of it, which can only be used for evil while Marina got the other half from Dugong's long lost sister: the half that was meant to be used only for good. Like the Aram, it is also sentient.

Source: Wikipedia

Marina (Philippine TV series)

Marina was the first fantasy series, a Fantaserye (Fantasy Series), of Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN. It was first aired on February 2004, starring drama actress Claudine Barretto.

Production

The Making

Three mermaid tails were made for Claudine Barretto to play her character, Marina: two for the water and one for land. The ones for the water were heavy for the actress to wear, and sometimes required four to six people to carry her. The one tail made for land was not as difficult on the actress: she was able to move, and was able to take it off if she needed to.

Production Crew

Directors

• Wenn de Ramas
• Andoy Ranay

Headwriter

• Keiko Aquino

Writer

• Agnes Gagilonia-Uligan

Trivia

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  Already a good swimmer before the show, Claudine Barretto still took a diving course before taping started. Her role required her to swim up to 60 ft (18 m). underwater, which reportedly caused her ears to ache.
  
  
  
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  Claudine Barretto's double, certified diver Patty Lopez, used a mermaid tail similar in color and material to the one used by Claudine, except that Claudine's tail was smaller. Lopez was also later offered the role of the mermaid Neptuna on the series.
  
  
  
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  Claudine Barretto's mermaid tail costume's colors ("red/yellow-colored") were inspired by the mermaid Madison's tail colors from the film Splash.
  
  
  
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  Due to high public demand, this fantaserye is being replayed, which started last March 31, 2008 entitled Marina: The Director's Cut.
  
  
  
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  Marina will reunite Claudine with director Wenn Deramas, who directed her in such unforgettable projects as Mula sa Puso, Saan Ka Man Naroroon, Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan and Buttercup, as well as gifted young director Andoy Ranay.
  
  
  
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  The character of Pearly Shells (played by Chokoleit) reappeared in Dyosa, wherein Pearly's background story is retold up to the time when Dugong disappeared.
  
  
  

Awards

• 2004 PMPC Star Awards for TV "Best Primetime-Drama Series"
• 2004 PMPC Star Awards for TV "Best Female New TV Personality" (Pauline Luna)
• 2004 Catholic Mass Madia Awards for "Outstanding Drama Series"

Watch Marina TV Series Tribute:

Themesong
Sheryn Regis was chosen to sing the theme song of the series, a song composed by Raul Mitra and Cacai Velasquez-Mitra entitled "Kailan Kaya," which later became a big hit as part of Sheryn's debut album under Star Records entitled Come In Out of the Rain.

Source: Wikipedia