Darna [2005]
Pinoy PopCulture TV Art
TV: Darna [2005]
Genre: Superheroine TV
Format: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Related Site:
http://www.marsravelodarna.com/
[ The 2005 TV series ]
Darna (2005 TV Series)
In 2004, executives of GMA Network and Hugo Yonzon, current license holder of Darna and head of Mango Comics, signed a licensing agreement for a new Darna television series. It premiered in Filipino homes on April 11, 2005 and garnered a 47.1% rating according to AGB, making it one of the highest rated pilot episode ever in Philippine television. During the fourth episode, it garnered 52.1% overnight ratings from AGB, the highest rating yet for the show because this was the episode that Narda transforms into Darna for the first time. Filipino actress Angel Locsin starred as Darna. The television series ended Friday, November 25, 2005.
A lot of changes and new material were added for this incarnation of Darna. The show follows the original with Narda finding the stone as a child, but she only becomes Darna and discovers her powers at age eighteen. It follows the 2003 comics in making Darna part of an alien race (the Adranika of Marte) who fought another alien race of serpent people (called the Anomalka). However, many new allies and enemies were invented for the show, as well as more backstory. Notably, Narda and the (half-Anomalkan, half-human) Valentina are half-sisters.
TV Video Clip
Rating: PG
Genres: Girl Hero, Girl Villain, Sexy Costume
An Embedded Video Link Only!.
Four actresses who previously played Darna were involved in the TV series:
Gina Pareño (Darna and the Planetman, 1969) appeared as Darna's grandmother
Rio Locsin (Bira, Darna, Bira, 1979) appeared as the wife of Dr. Zombie, one of the villains
Lorna Tolentino (Darna in 1977 TV series) portrayed Queen Adran of Marte
Regine Velasquez (plays Darna in Captain Barbell, 2003) sang the theme song of the series. Quite interestingly, she also provided a voice clip of shouting "Darna!" for use in the TV series, as Angel Locsin's own efforts were apparently subpar.
The series features several prominent Filipino actors and actresses as the villains:
Alessandra de Rossi - Valentina
Celia Rodriguez - Braguda
Tonton Gutierrez - Nosferamus
Eddie Garcia - Mambabarang
Carmina Villaroel - Sulfura
Christopher de Leon - Dr. Zombie
Christine Reyes - Molecula
Berwin Meily - "Toymaster"
K Brosas - Divina Devinica/Demonica
Katrina Halili - Black Darna
[ Similarities and inspirations ]
Some may point out that Darna is very similar to (or less charitably, is a rip-off of) Western superheroes, particularly Wonder Woman.
Aside from the bullet deflection misconception (perpetrated by the Viva Films movies), Darna's similarity to Wonder Woman is superficial, if anything. Besides the fact that super strength, flight, and super speed are common and hardly unique powers among superheroes, the character has several differences with her purported source material. She has always possessed the power of flight from the very beginning (as Varga in 1947, and as Darna in 1950), while Wonder Woman only gained the power to "glide on the air currents" in the 60's and the real power of flight in the 1987 relaunch of her title.
TV Video Clip1
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Darna vs. Molecula
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
She does not require bracelets to deflect bullets with, because they already bounce off her body (like Superman). It seems that only Viva Films' rendition of Darna copies Wonder Woman, because they have her deflect bullets with her bracelets. It should be noted that bullets also don't kill Wonder Woman if hit directly unless the force is stronger than human technology or weaponry. Her bracelets are used for style to demonstrate superhuman reflexes and deflection of any form of projectile not just bullets, and she's nearly as durable as Superman. Strength levels are also different, Wonder Woman is multiple times stronger than Darna being one of DC Comics' character who helped move the earth's moon using brute strength. Also, Darna is not nor has she ever been an "Amazon princess". She is an "Adarna Warrior" from an alien race called Adranika from the Planet Marte (a.k.a. "Nibiru").
Darna's chief inspirations did not include Wonder Woman, but were rather Superman and Captain Marvel, whose comics Ravelo regularly read.
According to confirmed sources, the reason why Mars Ravelo chose to create a female superhero rather than a male one was because Ravelo grew up with an absent father; thus, he never had a father-figure and he considered his mother as his biggest hero growing up. His mother represented Darna and young Mars Ravelo represented kid sidekick, Ding.
[ Supporting characters ]
Darna's family
Ding - Narda's brother and friend. Died in the 2005 TV series.
Grandmother
Invented for the 2005 TV series:
Tatay Mulong (Nosferamus) - Narda's deceased (and resurrected) father.
Nanay Ising - Narda's foster mother. (deceased)
Prospera - Narda's biological mother.
Iking - Narda's adopted brother.
Lenlen - Narda's adopted sister.
Valentina - made her half-sister.
[ Allies and Enemies ]
Over the years, Darna has fought against and alongside many characters in her various incarnations, like:
[ Allies ]
Captain Barbell - a superhuman Earth champion like Darna with a human dual identity. Captain Barbell also possesses Superhuman strength and the power of flight. A famous Philippine comics character also created by Mars Ravelo.
Lastikman - an alien shapeshifter, not unlike Plastic Man and Mr. Fantastic; also created by Ravelo.
Dyesebel - a mermaid born from human parents who helped Narda in her mission against Braguda & the Anomalkans. Another of Ravelo's characters.
Dyangga - head of the mermaids who showed Narda the location of the Mahiwagang Kabibe (Magical Clam).
Queen Adran - Matriarch/Queen of the noble Adranika race of the Planet Marte.
Aio - Queen Adran's "right hand person". The White Stone-bearer and Darna's mentor.
Wonder kids - two super kids created in the 2005 TV series.
Pedro Penduko - Darna and other Mars Ravelo characters made a special cameo in this movie.
Darna Kuno - In this movie, the real Darna was "in the family way" and had to pass on the magic stone to another mortal.
TV Video Clip2
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Darna vs. Molecula
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
[ Enemies ]
Valentina - Darna's most famous and greatest foe.
In the 1950s, she was originally a bitter, deformed woman born with snakes for hair from ordinary human parents. When she grew up, her parents were killed by the local people and was subsequently adopted by a creature named "Kobra", a giant serpent with a hag's head. Valentina was soon referred to as "goddess of the snakes" who had a close familiar - "Vibura", a loyal serpent. (Vibora is Spanish for viper.)
In the 1973 film "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" ("Fly, Darna, Fly")", she is played by Celia Rodriguez and is known as "Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor", with a Ph.D. in Reptilian Zoology from the University of New Delhi. Valentina is portrayed as the Queen of the Serpents and moonlights as a ramp model. She was seen walking on the lobby of the Manila Hotel in a turban covered Medusa wig, bare midriff Indian sari, and on her belly button, a giant ruby known as the “Star of Bombay” that can blow away suspecting Bollywood wannabees. Humorously, she sees Darna flying across Rizal Park and she says, “Sino ba yang babaeng mababa ang lipad?” ("kalapating mababa ang lipad" - literally low-flying doves - is a Tagalog euphemism for women of low repute, i.e. prostitutes.)
TV Video Clip3
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Angel Locsin as Darna
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
In the 2005 TV series, Valentina is a human/Anomalkan hybrid. She is Braguda's greatest and most favored apprentice when she returns to planet Earth. She believes herself to be Narda's cousin but later learns that they are half-sisters. Ultimately, she helps Darna kill Braguda.
[ Classic villains ]
Babaing Lawin - Armida the Hawk Woman (Unrelated to the later GMA TV series Mulawin, also starring Angel Locsin, the 2005 Darna)
Impakta (I) - A "manananggal", a vampire-like aswang(supernatural monster in Philppine folklore in which it separates at the waist, the upper half is enabled to fly while the other half walks to frighten people and to signify that a manananggal lurks) in the "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" film (1973). It made a comeback in "Darna" (1991)
Babaing Tuod (I) - (Lucifera the tree monster-also called The Woodwitch; has the ability to fight enemies by means of her vines and roots, and can turn plants into deadly weapons.
Domino Lipolico - used by the devil to spread Dominism in Southeast Asia, starting in the Philippines
Electra - Leader of the Planet Women
Impakta - Evil Conjoined twins
Isputnik -a superheroine who once did battle with Darna.
The "Planetmen"- Extra-terrestrials from "Darna at ang Planetman"
The "Planet Women"- Amazonian emissaries who tried to transport the Earth into their part of the galaxy; from "Darna vs. the Planet Women"
The Giants - genetically altered earthlings by Warrior Queen - from "X3X"
Valentine Adan - the daughter of Valentina in "Darna Ang Pagbabalik" (1994) and like her mother, Valentine is actually a gorgon concealing the snakes on her head beneath a bathing cap like hat (turban). She is a tele evangelist who claims that only she can protect the city from an advancing lahar (volcanic mud flow) and will save those who have pledge their undying devotion to her.
X3X- alien Warrior Queen from "Darna and the Giants"
[ TV series villains ]
Braguda - Queen of the Anomalca race of the Planet Marte.
Babaing Tuod (II)- The possessed version of Alice (Narda's Best friend) (2005 version from the TV series)
Impakta (II) - Another possessed version of Alice (from the 2005 TV series)
Babaing Lobo- Another possessed version of Alice (from 2005 version from the TV series)
Babaing Linta - Garda the leech woman
Dambuhalang Ahas (Giant Snake) - Also known as Higanteng Sawa (Giant Python), Braguda's first servant in Earth. Responsibe for the death of Nanay Ising and the transformation of Valentina to a Babaeng Ahas (snake-woman).
Ms. Luna - a manananggal
Mambabarang - Warlock king of insects
Sulfura - has the ability to spew fire and acid and melt her enemies
Molecula - a shape-shifter
Nosforamus - grim reaper-"The Shadow of Death" and right hand man of Braguda
Dr. Zombie - re-animator of corpses.
Ella the Zombie - reanimated policewoman
The Toy Master - a Clown who possessed the magical powers stolen from a Gnome.
Divina Demonica - a villain created for the 2005 TV series
Black Darna - the evil twin of Darna in the 2005 series; Black Darna has the same powers and abilities as Darna.
Divas Impaktitas- Valentina's 1st 3 Vampire minions created by the magic Black Stone.
Varca - Anomalcan who wishes the death of Braguda according to the Prophecy, however insists on dominating Earth. Killed by Braguda when she found out that Varka betrays her.
Peruca - friend of Varca. Killed by Valentina for treason.
Trolca- An Anomalcan Warrior/Executioner who carries a "Ball and Chain" Mace.
Lalaking Ahas (Snakeman) - was Efren (Narda's true love) who was temporarily transformed into this creature by a spell cast by Valentina.
Narda's past - it is said that Narda's past is the greatest enemy of Darna, according to the Adranicas.
[ Locations ]
The following locations are featured in Darna stories:
Sa Bayan Ng "M" (In the Town of M) (from issue # 1, 1950) - when creator/writer Mars Ravelo wrote the first issue - Narda & Ding's location - Sa Bayan ng "M" refers to the place Mars Ravelo grew up. "M" is Malabon, General Trias, Cavite in the Philippines. This is the setting of Narda/Darna's origin. (This information was confirmed by the Estate of Mars Ravelo.)
Mabuhay University (from Mars Ravelo's Darna # 1) is the College where the adult Narda attended. It is based on the University of the Philippines.
Planet Marte - the planet where both the magic white stone and magic black stone comes from. Darna's power comes from this planet that is both technologically advanced as well as mystically inclined. Science and magic are not seen as two separate opposing disciplines. They are both integrated in this society composed of two tribes - the noble Adranika race and the evil Anomalka race.
Planet Tiamat - the planet of Darna and Valentina in the Mango Comics version; here their respective races fought each other for many years. Darna's race is reminiscent of the Hawkmen and Hawkwomen of Thanagar, while Valentina's is reminiscent of Nagas and Gorgons.
Planet Marte or Nibiru - where the Adarna Warriors fled to when Tiamat was destroyed. This concept of 2 alien races warring for supremacy that came from the 2003 Mango Comics mini-series was utilized in the TV series. The "Adarna Warriors" were renamed "Adranika" while the "Serpent Queen" race was given a name - the "Anomalka". However, the TV series version introduces Adran and Braguda, the rulers of their respective races.
Galactica - Another term for "Galaxy".
TV Video Clip4
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Angel Locsin as Darna
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
[ Pre-production ]
In 2004, executives of GMA Network and Hugo Yonzon, current license holder of Darna and head of Mango Comics, signed a licensing agreement for the Darna TV Series.
[ Cast ]
Filipino actress Angel Locsin stars as Darna. Celia Rodriguez, who played Valentina in previous movies of Darna, plays as Braguda, the main villain. In this TV series, Valentina, played by Alessandra de Rossi, is the cousin of Narda. Ding, one of the most notable relative of Darna, is played by C. J. Muere. Dennis Trillo plays Efren, Darna's main love interest.
Four actresses who have previously played the role of Darna are involved in this series.
Gina Pareño (Darna and the Planetman, 1969) - played the grandmother of Darna.
Rio Locsin (Bira, Darna, Bira, 1979) - played the wife of the Dr. Zombie, one of the villains.
Lorna Tolentino (Darna TV series, 1977) - played Queen Adran of Marte.
Regine Velasquez (Captain Barbell, 2003) - sang the theme song of the series.
Also actor Tonton Gutierrez who plays Narda's father Mulong and the villain Nosferamus, portrayed Darna's love interest in the movie Darna (1991).
[ Plot ]
Evil Queen Braguda together with her race the Anomalka attacks the planet of Marte. Surprised by the attack, Adran, Queen of the Adranika, realizes that Braguda is eager to possess the Adranika's powers. To avoid taking their power, Adran gave the white stone to Aio who is tasked to give it to whoever is worthy to inherit it. Aio escapes to Earth before Braguda destroys the planet Marte. Braguda follows Aio and when Aio reaches the earth's atmosphere, Braguda disables her spaceship and it crashes while the white stone fall out of the ship where the young Narda discovers it. Aio survives the crash and meets Narda to tell her to keep the stone until the right time comes to receive "the call". After eight years, Aio secretly disguises as an old beggar calls Narda through a telepathic message. The message tells that Narda is the sole inheritor of the power of the Adranika and she will protect the earth from evil. After Narda heard the message, the word "Darna" appears in the white stone and it instructed to swallow it and yell the word "Darna". Narda follows the instruction and became the superheroine Darna. Darna returns to her mortal state when she utters the word Narda and then the white stone comes out from her mouth.
After Braguda discovers that Darna possesses the white stone, she and her minons try to steal the white stone from Darna. Braguda's intention is combine the power of the magic white stone with her magic black stone so that she can transform the Planet Earth into another "Planet Marte" and mutate all Earthlings into Anomalkans so that they can survive in the new environment and serve Braguda in her quest of Galactic domination. Those servants of Braguda who are sent to fight Darna and cause havoc in Metro Manila include Mambabarang, Dr. Zombie, Sulfura, Nosforamus (resurrected father of Narda) and Valentina the half-sister of Narda whom she once thought was her cousin. Darna is able to defend the city against her enemies and she still possesses the white stone.
[ Origin of Narda ]
Once thought of as the daughter of Mulong and Ising, Narda is really the biological daughter of Mulong's Half-Sister, Prospera and her true love- Rafael. When Prospera was pregnant with Narda she discovered a space craft that had crashed on her land one fateful evening. As she approached the craft, a dying alien being (An Anomalkan) emerged and transferred its alien seed into the already pregnant Prospera.
The Alien fled to earth in the hope of escaping the massacre of infants that Braguda had ordered on the Planet Marte. Braguda's rampage was in response to a prophecy that predicted her death one day at the hands of a fellow Anomalkan. To try to avoid her fate, Braguda ordered the killing of all Anomalkan infants that could oppose her one day. But one Anomalkan managed to escape the planet Marte and in doing so crash landed to Earth
To help bring about the fulfillment of the prophecy, the fugitive Anomalkan impregnated the earth female- Prospera in the hopes that the blending of their species would create a new breed of Anomalkan strong and reilient enough to survive in Earth's environment.
After being impregnated, Prospera now carried 2 babies, one completely human (a product of her relationship with Rafael) and the other- a monstrous Anomalkan humanoid.
When Prospera gave birth, she discovered her human child to be perfectly normal and horrified at her alien one. Prospera carried her alien child to the spaceship in the hopes of killing it there but when the child suddenly shapeshifted to resemble a normal child, Prospera took it back home.
When she returned, her normal baby had disappeared (who unknown to her was stolen by Mulong when his wife's own baby died in birth). Prospera who planned to name her human child "Valentina" now gave this name to her alien baby.
Mulong named the baby he stole "Narda" after the true Baby Narda who had died and had been replaced. Narda discovered her true origins after her defeat of Braguda and the Anomalkans.
[ Origin of the Magic White Stone ]
Braguda recently revealed to Valentina the origins of the two stones and the prophecy. The Anomalkans originally owned the two stones (White Stone and Black Stone) which came from 2 powerful planets that were destroyed when the 2 powerful planets collided. The Magic White Stone and Magic Black Stone were created in the wake of that cosmic event. The first Anomalkan Queen first obtained these two stones and passed them on to the succeeding generations.
[ The Power and Properties of Darna's Magic White Stone ]
The White Stone of the Adranika (a.k.a. Darna’s Magic White Stone) - properties as revealed in the latest tv series:
Contained within the magic white stone of the Adranika is the very essence of this noble race’s power. When this mystic talisman is ingested by the Earth girl, Narda- she is able to channel the persona of DARNA by yelling this name. But ingesting the stone and yelling the name is not enough in channeling the “spirit of the stone”.
She must have a pure heart with a selfless dedication to protecting the innocent and vanquishing evil. Narda cannot become Darna if her motivations are fueled by hatred and/ or vengeance. The power of Darna cannot be harnessed properly by a person easily allow themselces to be overcome by their emotions and/or selfish desire. Discipline and training is essential. This is why it is forbidden for the host to fall in love or to be selfish. More importantly, the Darna persona (which is the very embodiment of Adranikan power) cannot be channeled by just anyone. Only a person chosen by the magic stone itself can become DARNA and that is Narda, also known as “the chosen one”.
The white stone may be the only one of its kind but it does have an opposite- the Black Stone of the Anomalka which is under the possession of Braguda- the Queen of Darkness and ruler of the Anomalkas (Planet Marte's Evil underground dwelling race). Braguda has long sought the Adranikan stone because anyone who possesses both the black stone od the Anomalka and white stone of the Adranika will have the power necessary to conquer and dominate any planet. Although Braguda cannot channel the persona of “Darna” should she manage to acquire it, she can utilize the stone’s energy to boost her own and be a threat to the universe. This is why the magic white stone must never be allowed to fall into the hands of Braguda.
[ Darna's powers and paraphernalia ]
Superhuman strength
Invulnerability to most conventional weapons
Power of Flight/ Speed
Optic Lasers
Limited force-field casting abilities
Winged medallion ruby rays
"Shuriken belt medallions"
The Magic White Stone (Mahiwagang Puting Bato) - the Adranikan stone that transforms Narda into Darna and back.
"Mahiwagang Kabibe" (Magic Clamshell) - an amulet guarded by a colony of Mermaids under the leadership of a Mermaid Sorceress named "Dyangga". Narda enlisted the aid of Dyesebel who accompanied her to retrieve it so that she can use it to take back her magic white stone from the Anomalkans.
[ The Villains ]
Valentina-Valentina was the most popular enemy of Darna in the movies and comics. She has the power of controlling snakes, like the mythical creature, Medusa. She is played by Alessandra de Rossi.
Braguda-Braguda is the main villain of the TV series.She is the queen of the Anomalkan race of the Planet Marte. Braguda is played by Celia Rodriguez, the original actress who played Valentina in the original movies.
Nosferamus-Nosferamus is the right hand man of Braguda. He is the transformed form of Nardas father. Nosferamus is also known as the grim reaper.He is played by Tonton Gutierrez.
Mambabarang-Mambarang is the king of insects and pests. Mambabarang is played by Eddie Garcia.
Manananggal-She was known as Ms. Luna. She has all the known powers of a regular manananggal. She and Darna engaged in a stunning aerial battle where she, due to her lack of legs at the time, was forced to combat against her foe by flapping her wings fast and swung her fists at Darna to knock her into submission, belting at least two on-screen punches at Darnas face (both directly at her cheeks)- she is apparently the first villain shown in the series to ever do so. Having had enough of getting sucker punched time and time again (with her beautiful face getting turned into mush), Darna retaliated and Manananggal met her end when the heroine threw a necklace of garlic which caught her in the neck. Manananggal is played by Maggie Wilson.
Sulfura-Sulfura was once a super model turned villain. As her villain name states, she has the power to spew fire,rock,and acid to melt her enemies. Sulfura is played by Carmina Villaroel.
Dr. Zombie-Dr. Zombies prominent life took a twisted turn after the death of his beloved wife . A genius in his own right, he invented a concoction with the power to reanimate the dead - into zombies. He also wields an assortment of weaponry unique only to himself, as he is apparently the only non-superpowered major foe in the series. He is played by Christopher de Leon.
Molecula-Molecula is a shape-shifter. Molecula can break herself apart to practically a molecular level, splitting herself to countless, minute molecular parts to gain more mobility and versatility. She tried to kill Darna by breaking up and infesting Darnas internal systems. She is played by Cristine Reyes.
Divas Impaktitas-The Divas Impaktitas are the three right hand she-vampires of Valentina. They were created by the black stone, granting them immunity to the sun as well as crosses and crucifixes, though they could still be slain if something sharp was driven through their hearts. The Divas Impaktitas are played by Ryza Cenon, Krizzy Jareno, and Ailyn Luna.
Toy Master-Toy Master has the power to control toys as well as other abilities that border on the realm of magic, allowing him to defy the fabric of reality by summoning corporeal objects out of nothing or generating an irritating sound beating his drum, powerful enough to disorient even Darna. He stole his powers from a gnome. He is played by Bearwin Meily.
Divina Demonica-Divina Demonica has the power to scream supersonic screams, screams that could give severe trauma to those within her vicinity. In Darnas case, her own extra-sensitive hearing caused her to become severely disoriented whenever Divina blasts her with her powers, which is how Divina nearly bested the red-and-gold clad heroine in hand-to-hand combat. Divina Demonica was originally an elderly woman who was pop sensation during her time as a singer; Anomalkan power gained her the potential to revert her back to her youthful self, but compels her to constantly "extract" voices from other people and absorbing them to keep young. She stores her "spare" voices in bottles until time has come for them. Darna, while in her civilian guise as Narda, was ambushed by Divina and her voice subsequently removed. This not only made her incapable of speaking but also temporarily stalled her ability to become Darna until she finally got back her voice. Divina also demonstrates the ability to manipulate bats, possibly by synchronizing with them using her powers to override their minds. When she is really angry, she becomes Demonica. She is played by K Brosas.
Black Darna-Black Darna is the result of Darnas cooped up emotions. Before she became Black Darna, she was Carol, Nardas boss at work. Having all of the original Darnas strengths and abilities, Black Darna was unedeniably one of the most formidable adversaries the heroine had to faced; she was also noticeably faster than Darna. Her only weakness is that like Darna herself, draws her powers from the white stone. Which was how Darna stopped her by reverting back to Narda. This weakness was laer nullified by Valentina, as well as granting Black Darna the ability to generate two other copies of herself. She is played by Katrina Halili.
Babaeng Tuod, Babaeng Impakta and Babaeng Lobo-All of these are different forms of Alice, Nardas best friend. They are played by Karen de los Reyes.
TV Video Clip5
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Angel Locsin as Darna
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
References / Informations:
Wikipedia web encyclopedia
Marsravelodarna.com site
You Tube Trailers / Clippings
For more information, please click the weblink below. thanks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darna_(2005_TV_series)
TV: Darna [2005]
Genre: Superheroine TV
Format: Action, Drama, Fantasy, Romance, Sci-Fi
Related Site:
http://www.marsravelodarna.com/
[ The 2005 TV series ]
Darna (2005 TV Series)
In 2004, executives of GMA Network and Hugo Yonzon, current license holder of Darna and head of Mango Comics, signed a licensing agreement for a new Darna television series. It premiered in Filipino homes on April 11, 2005 and garnered a 47.1% rating according to AGB, making it one of the highest rated pilot episode ever in Philippine television. During the fourth episode, it garnered 52.1% overnight ratings from AGB, the highest rating yet for the show because this was the episode that Narda transforms into Darna for the first time. Filipino actress Angel Locsin starred as Darna. The television series ended Friday, November 25, 2005.
A lot of changes and new material were added for this incarnation of Darna. The show follows the original with Narda finding the stone as a child, but she only becomes Darna and discovers her powers at age eighteen. It follows the 2003 comics in making Darna part of an alien race (the Adranika of Marte) who fought another alien race of serpent people (called the Anomalka). However, many new allies and enemies were invented for the show, as well as more backstory. Notably, Narda and the (half-Anomalkan, half-human) Valentina are half-sisters.
TV Video Clip
Rating: PG
Genres: Girl Hero, Girl Villain, Sexy Costume
An Embedded Video Link Only!.
Four actresses who previously played Darna were involved in the TV series:
Gina Pareño (Darna and the Planetman, 1969) appeared as Darna's grandmother
Rio Locsin (Bira, Darna, Bira, 1979) appeared as the wife of Dr. Zombie, one of the villains
Lorna Tolentino (Darna in 1977 TV series) portrayed Queen Adran of Marte
Regine Velasquez (plays Darna in Captain Barbell, 2003) sang the theme song of the series. Quite interestingly, she also provided a voice clip of shouting "Darna!" for use in the TV series, as Angel Locsin's own efforts were apparently subpar.
The series features several prominent Filipino actors and actresses as the villains:
Alessandra de Rossi - Valentina
Celia Rodriguez - Braguda
Tonton Gutierrez - Nosferamus
Eddie Garcia - Mambabarang
Carmina Villaroel - Sulfura
Christopher de Leon - Dr. Zombie
Christine Reyes - Molecula
Berwin Meily - "Toymaster"
K Brosas - Divina Devinica/Demonica
Katrina Halili - Black Darna
[ Similarities and inspirations ]
Some may point out that Darna is very similar to (or less charitably, is a rip-off of) Western superheroes, particularly Wonder Woman.
Aside from the bullet deflection misconception (perpetrated by the Viva Films movies), Darna's similarity to Wonder Woman is superficial, if anything. Besides the fact that super strength, flight, and super speed are common and hardly unique powers among superheroes, the character has several differences with her purported source material. She has always possessed the power of flight from the very beginning (as Varga in 1947, and as Darna in 1950), while Wonder Woman only gained the power to "glide on the air currents" in the 60's and the real power of flight in the 1987 relaunch of her title.
TV Video Clip1
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Darna vs. Molecula
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
She does not require bracelets to deflect bullets with, because they already bounce off her body (like Superman). It seems that only Viva Films' rendition of Darna copies Wonder Woman, because they have her deflect bullets with her bracelets. It should be noted that bullets also don't kill Wonder Woman if hit directly unless the force is stronger than human technology or weaponry. Her bracelets are used for style to demonstrate superhuman reflexes and deflection of any form of projectile not just bullets, and she's nearly as durable as Superman. Strength levels are also different, Wonder Woman is multiple times stronger than Darna being one of DC Comics' character who helped move the earth's moon using brute strength. Also, Darna is not nor has she ever been an "Amazon princess". She is an "Adarna Warrior" from an alien race called Adranika from the Planet Marte (a.k.a. "Nibiru").
Darna's chief inspirations did not include Wonder Woman, but were rather Superman and Captain Marvel, whose comics Ravelo regularly read.
According to confirmed sources, the reason why Mars Ravelo chose to create a female superhero rather than a male one was because Ravelo grew up with an absent father; thus, he never had a father-figure and he considered his mother as his biggest hero growing up. His mother represented Darna and young Mars Ravelo represented kid sidekick, Ding.
[ Supporting characters ]
Darna's family
Ding - Narda's brother and friend. Died in the 2005 TV series.
Grandmother
Invented for the 2005 TV series:
Tatay Mulong (Nosferamus) - Narda's deceased (and resurrected) father.
Nanay Ising - Narda's foster mother. (deceased)
Prospera - Narda's biological mother.
Iking - Narda's adopted brother.
Lenlen - Narda's adopted sister.
Valentina - made her half-sister.
[ Allies and Enemies ]
Over the years, Darna has fought against and alongside many characters in her various incarnations, like:
[ Allies ]
Captain Barbell - a superhuman Earth champion like Darna with a human dual identity. Captain Barbell also possesses Superhuman strength and the power of flight. A famous Philippine comics character also created by Mars Ravelo.
Lastikman - an alien shapeshifter, not unlike Plastic Man and Mr. Fantastic; also created by Ravelo.
Dyesebel - a mermaid born from human parents who helped Narda in her mission against Braguda & the Anomalkans. Another of Ravelo's characters.
Dyangga - head of the mermaids who showed Narda the location of the Mahiwagang Kabibe (Magical Clam).
Queen Adran - Matriarch/Queen of the noble Adranika race of the Planet Marte.
Aio - Queen Adran's "right hand person". The White Stone-bearer and Darna's mentor.
Wonder kids - two super kids created in the 2005 TV series.
Pedro Penduko - Darna and other Mars Ravelo characters made a special cameo in this movie.
Darna Kuno - In this movie, the real Darna was "in the family way" and had to pass on the magic stone to another mortal.
TV Video Clip2
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Darna vs. Molecula
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
[ Enemies ]
Valentina - Darna's most famous and greatest foe.
In the 1950s, she was originally a bitter, deformed woman born with snakes for hair from ordinary human parents. When she grew up, her parents were killed by the local people and was subsequently adopted by a creature named "Kobra", a giant serpent with a hag's head. Valentina was soon referred to as "goddess of the snakes" who had a close familiar - "Vibura", a loyal serpent. (Vibora is Spanish for viper.)
In the 1973 film "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" ("Fly, Darna, Fly")", she is played by Celia Rodriguez and is known as "Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor", with a Ph.D. in Reptilian Zoology from the University of New Delhi. Valentina is portrayed as the Queen of the Serpents and moonlights as a ramp model. She was seen walking on the lobby of the Manila Hotel in a turban covered Medusa wig, bare midriff Indian sari, and on her belly button, a giant ruby known as the “Star of Bombay” that can blow away suspecting Bollywood wannabees. Humorously, she sees Darna flying across Rizal Park and she says, “Sino ba yang babaeng mababa ang lipad?” ("kalapating mababa ang lipad" - literally low-flying doves - is a Tagalog euphemism for women of low repute, i.e. prostitutes.)
TV Video Clip3
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Angel Locsin as Darna
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
In the 2005 TV series, Valentina is a human/Anomalkan hybrid. She is Braguda's greatest and most favored apprentice when she returns to planet Earth. She believes herself to be Narda's cousin but later learns that they are half-sisters. Ultimately, she helps Darna kill Braguda.
[ Classic villains ]
Babaing Lawin - Armida the Hawk Woman (Unrelated to the later GMA TV series Mulawin, also starring Angel Locsin, the 2005 Darna)
Impakta (I) - A "manananggal", a vampire-like aswang(supernatural monster in Philppine folklore in which it separates at the waist, the upper half is enabled to fly while the other half walks to frighten people and to signify that a manananggal lurks) in the "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" film (1973). It made a comeback in "Darna" (1991)
Babaing Tuod (I) - (Lucifera the tree monster-also called The Woodwitch; has the ability to fight enemies by means of her vines and roots, and can turn plants into deadly weapons.
Domino Lipolico - used by the devil to spread Dominism in Southeast Asia, starting in the Philippines
Electra - Leader of the Planet Women
Impakta - Evil Conjoined twins
Isputnik -a superheroine who once did battle with Darna.
The "Planetmen"- Extra-terrestrials from "Darna at ang Planetman"
The "Planet Women"- Amazonian emissaries who tried to transport the Earth into their part of the galaxy; from "Darna vs. the Planet Women"
The Giants - genetically altered earthlings by Warrior Queen - from "X3X"
Valentine Adan - the daughter of Valentina in "Darna Ang Pagbabalik" (1994) and like her mother, Valentine is actually a gorgon concealing the snakes on her head beneath a bathing cap like hat (turban). She is a tele evangelist who claims that only she can protect the city from an advancing lahar (volcanic mud flow) and will save those who have pledge their undying devotion to her.
X3X- alien Warrior Queen from "Darna and the Giants"
[ TV series villains ]
Braguda - Queen of the Anomalca race of the Planet Marte.
Babaing Tuod (II)- The possessed version of Alice (Narda's Best friend) (2005 version from the TV series)
Impakta (II) - Another possessed version of Alice (from the 2005 TV series)
Babaing Lobo- Another possessed version of Alice (from 2005 version from the TV series)
Babaing Linta - Garda the leech woman
Dambuhalang Ahas (Giant Snake) - Also known as Higanteng Sawa (Giant Python), Braguda's first servant in Earth. Responsibe for the death of Nanay Ising and the transformation of Valentina to a Babaeng Ahas (snake-woman).
Ms. Luna - a manananggal
Mambabarang - Warlock king of insects
Sulfura - has the ability to spew fire and acid and melt her enemies
Molecula - a shape-shifter
Nosforamus - grim reaper-"The Shadow of Death" and right hand man of Braguda
Dr. Zombie - re-animator of corpses.
Ella the Zombie - reanimated policewoman
The Toy Master - a Clown who possessed the magical powers stolen from a Gnome.
Divina Demonica - a villain created for the 2005 TV series
Black Darna - the evil twin of Darna in the 2005 series; Black Darna has the same powers and abilities as Darna.
Divas Impaktitas- Valentina's 1st 3 Vampire minions created by the magic Black Stone.
Varca - Anomalcan who wishes the death of Braguda according to the Prophecy, however insists on dominating Earth. Killed by Braguda when she found out that Varka betrays her.
Peruca - friend of Varca. Killed by Valentina for treason.
Trolca- An Anomalcan Warrior/Executioner who carries a "Ball and Chain" Mace.
Lalaking Ahas (Snakeman) - was Efren (Narda's true love) who was temporarily transformed into this creature by a spell cast by Valentina.
Narda's past - it is said that Narda's past is the greatest enemy of Darna, according to the Adranicas.
[ Locations ]
The following locations are featured in Darna stories:
Sa Bayan Ng "M" (In the Town of M) (from issue # 1, 1950) - when creator/writer Mars Ravelo wrote the first issue - Narda & Ding's location - Sa Bayan ng "M" refers to the place Mars Ravelo grew up. "M" is Malabon, General Trias, Cavite in the Philippines. This is the setting of Narda/Darna's origin. (This information was confirmed by the Estate of Mars Ravelo.)
Mabuhay University (from Mars Ravelo's Darna # 1) is the College where the adult Narda attended. It is based on the University of the Philippines.
Planet Marte - the planet where both the magic white stone and magic black stone comes from. Darna's power comes from this planet that is both technologically advanced as well as mystically inclined. Science and magic are not seen as two separate opposing disciplines. They are both integrated in this society composed of two tribes - the noble Adranika race and the evil Anomalka race.
Planet Tiamat - the planet of Darna and Valentina in the Mango Comics version; here their respective races fought each other for many years. Darna's race is reminiscent of the Hawkmen and Hawkwomen of Thanagar, while Valentina's is reminiscent of Nagas and Gorgons.
Planet Marte or Nibiru - where the Adarna Warriors fled to when Tiamat was destroyed. This concept of 2 alien races warring for supremacy that came from the 2003 Mango Comics mini-series was utilized in the TV series. The "Adarna Warriors" were renamed "Adranika" while the "Serpent Queen" race was given a name - the "Anomalka". However, the TV series version introduces Adran and Braguda, the rulers of their respective races.
Galactica - Another term for "Galaxy".
TV Video Clip4
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Angel Locsin as Darna
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
[ Pre-production ]
In 2004, executives of GMA Network and Hugo Yonzon, current license holder of Darna and head of Mango Comics, signed a licensing agreement for the Darna TV Series.
[ Cast ]
Filipino actress Angel Locsin stars as Darna. Celia Rodriguez, who played Valentina in previous movies of Darna, plays as Braguda, the main villain. In this TV series, Valentina, played by Alessandra de Rossi, is the cousin of Narda. Ding, one of the most notable relative of Darna, is played by C. J. Muere. Dennis Trillo plays Efren, Darna's main love interest.
Four actresses who have previously played the role of Darna are involved in this series.
Gina Pareño (Darna and the Planetman, 1969) - played the grandmother of Darna.
Rio Locsin (Bira, Darna, Bira, 1979) - played the wife of the Dr. Zombie, one of the villains.
Lorna Tolentino (Darna TV series, 1977) - played Queen Adran of Marte.
Regine Velasquez (Captain Barbell, 2003) - sang the theme song of the series.
Also actor Tonton Gutierrez who plays Narda's father Mulong and the villain Nosferamus, portrayed Darna's love interest in the movie Darna (1991).
[ Plot ]
Evil Queen Braguda together with her race the Anomalka attacks the planet of Marte. Surprised by the attack, Adran, Queen of the Adranika, realizes that Braguda is eager to possess the Adranika's powers. To avoid taking their power, Adran gave the white stone to Aio who is tasked to give it to whoever is worthy to inherit it. Aio escapes to Earth before Braguda destroys the planet Marte. Braguda follows Aio and when Aio reaches the earth's atmosphere, Braguda disables her spaceship and it crashes while the white stone fall out of the ship where the young Narda discovers it. Aio survives the crash and meets Narda to tell her to keep the stone until the right time comes to receive "the call". After eight years, Aio secretly disguises as an old beggar calls Narda through a telepathic message. The message tells that Narda is the sole inheritor of the power of the Adranika and she will protect the earth from evil. After Narda heard the message, the word "Darna" appears in the white stone and it instructed to swallow it and yell the word "Darna". Narda follows the instruction and became the superheroine Darna. Darna returns to her mortal state when she utters the word Narda and then the white stone comes out from her mouth.
After Braguda discovers that Darna possesses the white stone, she and her minons try to steal the white stone from Darna. Braguda's intention is combine the power of the magic white stone with her magic black stone so that she can transform the Planet Earth into another "Planet Marte" and mutate all Earthlings into Anomalkans so that they can survive in the new environment and serve Braguda in her quest of Galactic domination. Those servants of Braguda who are sent to fight Darna and cause havoc in Metro Manila include Mambabarang, Dr. Zombie, Sulfura, Nosforamus (resurrected father of Narda) and Valentina the half-sister of Narda whom she once thought was her cousin. Darna is able to defend the city against her enemies and she still possesses the white stone.
[ Origin of Narda ]
Once thought of as the daughter of Mulong and Ising, Narda is really the biological daughter of Mulong's Half-Sister, Prospera and her true love- Rafael. When Prospera was pregnant with Narda she discovered a space craft that had crashed on her land one fateful evening. As she approached the craft, a dying alien being (An Anomalkan) emerged and transferred its alien seed into the already pregnant Prospera.
The Alien fled to earth in the hope of escaping the massacre of infants that Braguda had ordered on the Planet Marte. Braguda's rampage was in response to a prophecy that predicted her death one day at the hands of a fellow Anomalkan. To try to avoid her fate, Braguda ordered the killing of all Anomalkan infants that could oppose her one day. But one Anomalkan managed to escape the planet Marte and in doing so crash landed to Earth
To help bring about the fulfillment of the prophecy, the fugitive Anomalkan impregnated the earth female- Prospera in the hopes that the blending of their species would create a new breed of Anomalkan strong and reilient enough to survive in Earth's environment.
After being impregnated, Prospera now carried 2 babies, one completely human (a product of her relationship with Rafael) and the other- a monstrous Anomalkan humanoid.
When Prospera gave birth, she discovered her human child to be perfectly normal and horrified at her alien one. Prospera carried her alien child to the spaceship in the hopes of killing it there but when the child suddenly shapeshifted to resemble a normal child, Prospera took it back home.
When she returned, her normal baby had disappeared (who unknown to her was stolen by Mulong when his wife's own baby died in birth). Prospera who planned to name her human child "Valentina" now gave this name to her alien baby.
Mulong named the baby he stole "Narda" after the true Baby Narda who had died and had been replaced. Narda discovered her true origins after her defeat of Braguda and the Anomalkans.
[ Origin of the Magic White Stone ]
Braguda recently revealed to Valentina the origins of the two stones and the prophecy. The Anomalkans originally owned the two stones (White Stone and Black Stone) which came from 2 powerful planets that were destroyed when the 2 powerful planets collided. The Magic White Stone and Magic Black Stone were created in the wake of that cosmic event. The first Anomalkan Queen first obtained these two stones and passed them on to the succeeding generations.
[ The Power and Properties of Darna's Magic White Stone ]
The White Stone of the Adranika (a.k.a. Darna’s Magic White Stone) - properties as revealed in the latest tv series:
Contained within the magic white stone of the Adranika is the very essence of this noble race’s power. When this mystic talisman is ingested by the Earth girl, Narda- she is able to channel the persona of DARNA by yelling this name. But ingesting the stone and yelling the name is not enough in channeling the “spirit of the stone”.
She must have a pure heart with a selfless dedication to protecting the innocent and vanquishing evil. Narda cannot become Darna if her motivations are fueled by hatred and/ or vengeance. The power of Darna cannot be harnessed properly by a person easily allow themselces to be overcome by their emotions and/or selfish desire. Discipline and training is essential. This is why it is forbidden for the host to fall in love or to be selfish. More importantly, the Darna persona (which is the very embodiment of Adranikan power) cannot be channeled by just anyone. Only a person chosen by the magic stone itself can become DARNA and that is Narda, also known as “the chosen one”.
The white stone may be the only one of its kind but it does have an opposite- the Black Stone of the Anomalka which is under the possession of Braguda- the Queen of Darkness and ruler of the Anomalkas (Planet Marte's Evil underground dwelling race). Braguda has long sought the Adranikan stone because anyone who possesses both the black stone od the Anomalka and white stone of the Adranika will have the power necessary to conquer and dominate any planet. Although Braguda cannot channel the persona of “Darna” should she manage to acquire it, she can utilize the stone’s energy to boost her own and be a threat to the universe. This is why the magic white stone must never be allowed to fall into the hands of Braguda.
[ Darna's powers and paraphernalia ]
Superhuman strength
Invulnerability to most conventional weapons
Power of Flight/ Speed
Optic Lasers
Limited force-field casting abilities
Winged medallion ruby rays
"Shuriken belt medallions"
The Magic White Stone (Mahiwagang Puting Bato) - the Adranikan stone that transforms Narda into Darna and back.
"Mahiwagang Kabibe" (Magic Clamshell) - an amulet guarded by a colony of Mermaids under the leadership of a Mermaid Sorceress named "Dyangga". Narda enlisted the aid of Dyesebel who accompanied her to retrieve it so that she can use it to take back her magic white stone from the Anomalkans.
[ The Villains ]
Valentina-Valentina was the most popular enemy of Darna in the movies and comics. She has the power of controlling snakes, like the mythical creature, Medusa. She is played by Alessandra de Rossi.
Braguda-Braguda is the main villain of the TV series.She is the queen of the Anomalkan race of the Planet Marte. Braguda is played by Celia Rodriguez, the original actress who played Valentina in the original movies.
Nosferamus-Nosferamus is the right hand man of Braguda. He is the transformed form of Nardas father. Nosferamus is also known as the grim reaper.He is played by Tonton Gutierrez.
Mambabarang-Mambarang is the king of insects and pests. Mambabarang is played by Eddie Garcia.
Manananggal-She was known as Ms. Luna. She has all the known powers of a regular manananggal. She and Darna engaged in a stunning aerial battle where she, due to her lack of legs at the time, was forced to combat against her foe by flapping her wings fast and swung her fists at Darna to knock her into submission, belting at least two on-screen punches at Darnas face (both directly at her cheeks)- she is apparently the first villain shown in the series to ever do so. Having had enough of getting sucker punched time and time again (with her beautiful face getting turned into mush), Darna retaliated and Manananggal met her end when the heroine threw a necklace of garlic which caught her in the neck. Manananggal is played by Maggie Wilson.
Sulfura-Sulfura was once a super model turned villain. As her villain name states, she has the power to spew fire,rock,and acid to melt her enemies. Sulfura is played by Carmina Villaroel.
Dr. Zombie-Dr. Zombies prominent life took a twisted turn after the death of his beloved wife . A genius in his own right, he invented a concoction with the power to reanimate the dead - into zombies. He also wields an assortment of weaponry unique only to himself, as he is apparently the only non-superpowered major foe in the series. He is played by Christopher de Leon.
Molecula-Molecula is a shape-shifter. Molecula can break herself apart to practically a molecular level, splitting herself to countless, minute molecular parts to gain more mobility and versatility. She tried to kill Darna by breaking up and infesting Darnas internal systems. She is played by Cristine Reyes.
Divas Impaktitas-The Divas Impaktitas are the three right hand she-vampires of Valentina. They were created by the black stone, granting them immunity to the sun as well as crosses and crucifixes, though they could still be slain if something sharp was driven through their hearts. The Divas Impaktitas are played by Ryza Cenon, Krizzy Jareno, and Ailyn Luna.
Toy Master-Toy Master has the power to control toys as well as other abilities that border on the realm of magic, allowing him to defy the fabric of reality by summoning corporeal objects out of nothing or generating an irritating sound beating his drum, powerful enough to disorient even Darna. He stole his powers from a gnome. He is played by Bearwin Meily.
Divina Demonica-Divina Demonica has the power to scream supersonic screams, screams that could give severe trauma to those within her vicinity. In Darnas case, her own extra-sensitive hearing caused her to become severely disoriented whenever Divina blasts her with her powers, which is how Divina nearly bested the red-and-gold clad heroine in hand-to-hand combat. Divina Demonica was originally an elderly woman who was pop sensation during her time as a singer; Anomalkan power gained her the potential to revert her back to her youthful self, but compels her to constantly "extract" voices from other people and absorbing them to keep young. She stores her "spare" voices in bottles until time has come for them. Darna, while in her civilian guise as Narda, was ambushed by Divina and her voice subsequently removed. This not only made her incapable of speaking but also temporarily stalled her ability to become Darna until she finally got back her voice. Divina also demonstrates the ability to manipulate bats, possibly by synchronizing with them using her powers to override their minds. When she is really angry, she becomes Demonica. She is played by K Brosas.
Black Darna-Black Darna is the result of Darnas cooped up emotions. Before she became Black Darna, she was Carol, Nardas boss at work. Having all of the original Darnas strengths and abilities, Black Darna was unedeniably one of the most formidable adversaries the heroine had to faced; she was also noticeably faster than Darna. Her only weakness is that like Darna herself, draws her powers from the white stone. Which was how Darna stopped her by reverting back to Narda. This weakness was laer nullified by Valentina, as well as granting Black Darna the ability to generate two other copies of herself. She is played by Katrina Halili.
Babaeng Tuod, Babaeng Impakta and Babaeng Lobo-All of these are different forms of Alice, Nardas best friend. They are played by Karen de los Reyes.
TV Video Clip5
Rating: PG
Courtesy: You Tube
Angel Locsin as Darna
An Embedded Video Link Fan Share Only! Copyrights remain at source.
References / Informations:
Wikipedia web encyclopedia
Marsravelodarna.com site
You Tube Trailers / Clippings
For more information, please click the weblink below. thanks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darna_(2005_TV_series)
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