''Kamandag'' (International title: ''Venom'') is a

Philippine television drama Philippine television drama, also known as ''teleserye'', Filipino telenovelas or P-drama, is a form of melodramatic, serialized, televised fiction in the Philippines. ''Teleserye'' is derived from two Filipino words: "tele", short for "''telebi ...

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

series broadcast by

GMA Network GMA Network (Global Media Arts or simply GMA) is a Philippine free-to-air television and radio network. It is the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network, Inc. Its first broadcast on television was on October 29, 1961. GMA Network (f ...

. The series is based from the

graphic novel A graphic novel is a long-form, fictional work of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comic scholars and industry ...

Carlo J. Caparas Carlo Magno Jose Caparas (born December 15, 1948) is a Filipino comic strip creator and writer-turned film director and producer. He is best known for creating such Filipino superheroes and comic book characters as ''Panday'', '' Bakekang'' ...

. Directed by

Mark A. Reyes Marciano Antonio "Mark" Reyes V is a Filipino film director, television director, music video director and film writer known for his multi-stranded storylines. He is a resident director and writer of GMA Network. His work include the film ''Mome ...

and

Topel Lee Topel Lee is a Filipino film director, TV director and music video director known for the cinematography in his movies and his strong female characters. Filmography as director Television * 2019 Bukas May Kahapon * 2018 Spirits: Reawaken * 20 ...

, it stars

Richard Gutierrez Richard Kristian Gutierrez (born January 21, 1984), known professionally as Richard Gutierrez, is a Filipino actor, environmentalist and model. He is one of the sons of actor Eddie Gutierrez. Early life Richard Gutierrez was born on January ...

in the title role. It premiered on November 19, 2007 on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on April 25, 2008 with a total of 113 episodes. It was replaced by ''

Dyesebel ''Dyesebel'' () is a Filipino comic book character, conceived by Mars Ravelo and drawn by Elpidio Torres. Dyesebel is a mermaid, who eventually gains full human form through a deal with a sea-witch. Aside appearing in Pilipino Komiks, Dyesebe ...

'' in its timeslot.

Pre-production

The first project of

Eula Valdez Maria Julia Amorsolo Valdes (; born December 11, 1968), professionally known as Eula Valdes, is a Filipino actress, best known for her role as Amor Powers in the original version of ''Pangako Sa 'Yo'' (2000) and as Janice in the ''Bagets'' fil ...

under

. For

's preparation for the series, he trained under

Ultimate Fighting Championship The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is an American mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. It is owned and operated by Zuffa, a wholly owned subsidiary of Endeavor Group Holdings. It is the largest MMA ...

's Brandon Vera to master Muay Thai and

Brazilian Jujitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

. The cast went to acting workshops at

University of the East The University of the East ( fil, Pamantasan ng Silangan), also known as UE, is a leading private university located in Manila, Philippines. Founded in 1946, business tycoon Lucio Tan acquired the university in 1990. UE was once labeled as the ...

Cast and characters

;Lead cast *

as Vergel / Kamandag ;Supporting cast *

Mark Anthony Fernandez Mark Anthony Lacsamana Fernandez (born January 18, 1979) is a Filipino actor. He is the son of actor Rudy Fernandez and actress-politician Alma Moreno. Career He first rose to prominence when he was once a former member of one of the famous ...

as Lucero Serrano / Talim *

Jewel Mische Jewel Fatima Avejade Mische-Kurzer (born 29 June 1990) is a Filipino former model and actress. Biography Although born in Manila, Mische grew up in Bocaue, Bulacan. Her father is of German- Spanish-American descent while her mother is Fili ...

as Jenny *

Maxene Magalona Maxene Sofia Maria Arroyo Magalona (born November 23, 1986) is a Filipino actress, model, host and yoga instructor currently signed under ABS-CBN. Being a former GMA talent under the GMA Artist Center, she was known for her portrayal as Vivian S ...

as Lily * Ehra Madrigal / Anne Chennette T. Rodriguez (young) as Ditas / Denise / Lady Kamandag *

Glaiza de Castro Glaiza Castro Galura-Rainey (born January 21, 1988), known by her stage name Glaiza de Castro, is a Filipino actress, recording artist and advocate. She is recognized as the industry's "''Drama Royalty''" for her acting prowess and versatility ...

(young) as Alicia *

Johnny Delgado Juan Marasigan Feleo (February 28, 1948 – November 19, 2009), better known as Johnny Delgado, was a Filipino television and movie actor, comedian, and writer. He is best known for his television work on the TV gag show ''Goin' Bananas''. Othe ...

as Budol *

Zoren Legaspi Zoren Lim Legaspi (; born January 30, 1972) is a Filipino actor and television director. He is best known for appearing in several television shows such as ''Ika-6 na Utos'', '' Mulawin'', '' Now and Forever: Ganti'', ''Majika'', ''Enchanted Ga ...

as Gulag *

Ariel Rivera Jose Ariel Jimenez Rivera, professionally known as Ariel Rivera (born September 1, 1966), is a Filipino recording artist and actor. Rivera was born in Manila, Philippines but has since migrated with his family to Canada. He has since become ...

as Abdon Serrano *

Ronaldo Valdez Ronald James Gibbs (born November 27, 1947, in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines), popularly known by his on-screen name Ronaldo Valdez, is a veteran Filipino film and television actor whose career spanned for almost five decades. Valdez is the f ...

/ Ramon Christopher Gutierrez (young) as Pepe *

Francine Prieto Anna Marie Falcon (born September 17, 1982 in Las Piñas, Philippines), known by her stage name Francine Prieto is a Filipino actress, fashion model, radio DJ, and singer. She is Chinese Filipino of half Norwegian descent. Education Prieto s ...

as Kuran *

Rainier Castillo Rainier Joseph Diaz Castillo, better known simply as Rainier Castillo (born October 21, 1985), is a Filipino actor, singer, model, and dancer. His father lives in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. He is known for his "killer smile" and one-trick pon ...

as Ikoy *

Francis Magundayao Francis Elmer Cabalteja Magundayao (born May 14, 1999) is a Filipino people, Filipino actor and commercial model. He was first known as Iking in the series, ''Darna (2005 TV series), Darna''. He is also known for portraying young Travis (adult ...

as Boyong / Dagok *

Melissa Mendez Melissa Mendez (; born July 27, 1964) is a Filipina film and TV actress. Mendez was nominated for a Best Actress FAMAS Award for the film ''Kalakal'' (2008). Mendez produced an independent movie, ''Hilot'' (2009) with Empress Schuck. It was dire ...

as Elena *

Benjie Paras Venancio Johnson Paras Jr. (born October 2, 1968), better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and a retired professional basketball player who played for Shell Turbo Chargers and San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketb ...

as Dinggol * Elvis Gutierrez as Agol *

Pekto Mike Nacua (born June 14, 1973), better known as Pekto, is a Filipino actor, comedian and television host. Career Born and raised in the province of Cebu, Mike "Pekto" Nacua was discovered by GMA Network in 2003 as an actor and comedian. He sta ...

as Doro *

Gardo Versoza Mennen Torres Polintan (born July 8, 1969), known professionally as Gardo Verzosa, is a Filipino people, Filipino actor and comedian. Career He started out in roles such as Sabik Sa Halik, Machete II, Halimuyak Ng Babae and Kirot. He was known ...

as Saban * Emilio Garcia as Domeng *

Sunshine Dizon Sunshine Dizon (born Margaret Sunshine Cansancio Dizon; July 3, 1983) is an award-winning Filipino actress, director and producer. She is often called as the “''Daytime Drama Queen''” by various media outlets for her acting prowess and a ...

as Ragona ;Guest cast * Afi Africa as Afie * Rhea Nakpil as Bea *

Renz Valerio Renz Michael Vijungco Valerio (born November 10, 1998)

as young Vergel * Alessandra de Rossi as Eleanor *

Glydel Mercado Flordeliza Sanchez-Gutierrez (born March 10, 1975), better known by her screen name Glydel Mercado, is a Filipina singer actress and politician in the Philippines. She won a number of Best Supporting Actress awards her role in 1999 film '' Sidhi ...

as Vivian *

Michelle Madrigal Michelle Madrigal Gaspar (born November 4, 1988) is a Filipino-American former actress. She was a finalist of ABS-CBN reality talent search, '' Star Circle Quest''. She has a younger sister named Micaella Madrigal and her elder sister, Ehra Madri ...

as Eliza * Bryan Revilla as Adlak *

Ram Revilla Ram Revilla (; February 12, 1988 – October 29, 2011), born Ramgen Jose Magsaysay Bautista and also known as Ramgen Revilla, was a Filipino actor best known for his roles in various Filipino television series including his role as Jeff Gatdul ...

as Harn *

Maureen Larrazabal Maureen Larrazabal (born September 23, 1979) is a Filipino actress, singer and commercial model who is one of the popular and regular mainstays of the TV sitcom ''Bubble Gang'' of GMA Network. Before venturing into movie and television, Larraz ...

as Cathy * Michael Flores as Sahir *

Dominic Roco Ricardo Dominic Artadi Roco (born April 12, 1989) is a Filipino actor. Personal life Roco is a son of actor Bembol Roco and the twin brother of actor Felix Roco Teodoro Felix Artadi Roco (born 12 April 1989 in Cebu), professionally known ...

as Pigo *

Karylle Ana Karylle Padilla Tatlonghari (born March 22, 1981), known mononymously as a Karylle, is a Filipino singer, actress, TV host and musical theatre performer. She is heralded as "''OPMs Showbiz Royalty''". She notably received a nomination for ...

as Spectra *

Alyssa Alano Alyssa Alano (born Geramie Daud; 11 August 1987) is a Philippine- Australian film and TV actress. She was a former member of the popular Viva Hot Babes franchise. Although she grew up in Tarlac, she was born Geramie Daud in Zamboanga City on 1 ...

as Reyna Baba * Ynez Veneracion as Jaimee *

Saab Magalona Maria Isabella Simone Arroyo Magalona-Bacarro (born November 23, 1988), better known as Saab Magalona, is a Filipina actress, singer, and blogger who started in the TV5 youth-oriented drama series '' Lipgloss''. She is the daughter of Francis ...

as Eleanor's friend * Kevin Santos as Randy * Anne Chennette T. Rodriguez as young Ditas *

Sam Bumatay Sam, SAM or variants may refer to: Places * Sam, Benin * Sam, Boulkiemdé, Burkina Faso * Sam, Bourzanga, Burkina Faso * Sam, Kongoussi, Burkina Faso * Sam, Iran * Sam, Teton County, Idaho, United States, a populated place People and fictional ...

as young Baya

Ratings

According to

AGB Nielsen Philippines AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines, commonly called AGB Nielsen, is a market research firm in the Philippines specializing in broadcast media. AGB Nielsen conducts audience measurement of television ratings for certain areas in the Philipp ...

' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of ''Kamandag'' earned a 42.7% rating. While the final episode scored a 38.1% rating. The series had its highest rating on February 26, 2008 and March 7, 2008 with a 43.6% rating. The special, ''Ang Bagsik ni Kamandag'' garnered a 29.0% rating.TV Ratings (Nov. 16–18): "Marimar" achieves new milestone while "Kamandag" primer spews venom
''pep.ph'', n.d. Accessed last November 19, 2007.

References

External links

* {{Mark A. Reyes 2007 Philippine television series debuts 2008 Philippine television series endings Fantaserye and telefantasya Filipino-language television shows GMA Network drama series Television shows based on comics Television shows set in the Philippines