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 on a 1994 Mexican television series of the same title. Directed by
Joyce E. Bernal
Joyce E. Bernal (born May 6, 1968) is a Filipina film and television director in the Philippines who started as a film editor for Viva Films
Viva Films is a Philippine film production company established under Viva Communications. It was f ...
and
Mac Alejandre
Mac C. Alejandre (born December 8, 1972) is a Filipino film and television director, as well as the head of The 5 Network's artist management division "Talent5" ( a/k/a TV5 Talent Center).
Filmography Television
* '' For Love or Money'' (2013) ...
, it stars
Marian Rivera
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', ''Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', ''Darna'' and '' Te ...
in the title role and
Dingdong Dantes
Jose Sixto Raphael Gonzalez Dantes III (born August 2, 1980), professionally known as Dingdong Dantes (), is a Filipino actor, television presenter, dancer, commercial model and film producer who is currently working as an employment contract, ...
. It premiered on August 13, 2007 on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on March 14, 2008 with a total of 155 episodes.
The series was released on
DVD
The DVD (common abbreviation for Digital Video Disc or Digital Versatile Disc) is a digital optical disc data storage format. It was invented and developed in 1995 and first released on November 1, 1996, in Japan. The medium can store any kin ...
by
GMA Records
GMA Music (formerly known as Infiniti Music and GMA Records) is a subsidiary of GMA Network Inc. and is engaged in the production, marketing and distribution of music and concerts. GMA Music is a member of PARI and has the distinction of having ...
.
Cast and characters
;Lead cast
*
Marian Rivera
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', ''Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', ''Darna'' and '' Te ...
as Marimar Perez-Santibañez / Bella Aldama
*
Dingdong Dantes
Jose Sixto Raphael Gonzalez Dantes III (born August 2, 1980), professionally known as Dingdong Dantes (), is a Filipino actor, television presenter, dancer, commercial model and film producer who is currently working as an employment contract, ...
as Sergio Santibañez
;Supporting cast
*
Katrina Halili
Maria Katrina Iren Pe Halili (born January 4, 1986) is a Filipino actress and commercial model of Chinese descent. She made her screen debut through the reality talent search '' StarStruck'' in 2003, and became more popular playing several role ...
as Angelika Santibañez / Angelika Aldama
* Richard Gomez as Renato Santibañez
*
Jestoni Alarcon
Anthony Jesus Pineda Alarcon, known professionally as Jestoni Alarcon, is a Filipino actor and politician. He was served as a councilor in Antipolo from 2001 to 2004 and as the vice governor of Rizal Province from 2004 to 2007. In 2013, he won a ...
as Gustavo Aldama
*
Rita Avila
Rita Ávila is a Filipino actress and author.
Ávila is married to director, Erick Reyes, she had a baby who they named Elia Jesú E. Reyes. The baby died three weeks after being born. She also wrote an inspirational booklet called, ''8 Ways to ...
as Lupita Aldama
*
Boboy Garovillo
Jose Teves Garrovillo Jr. (born in Dipolog, Zamboanga del Norte) Better simply known as Boboy Garrovillo, is a Filipino singer, composer, television host, and actor. He is known as one of the members of the popular musical trio APO Hiking Societ ...
as Padre Porres
*
Leo Martinez
Leo Martinez (born March 7, 1950) is a Filipino actor, comedian and director. Martinez was the Director General of the Film Academy of the Philippines before Vivian Velez' appointment.
Personal life
He is married to Gina Valenciano (sister of Gar ...
Bing Loyzaga
Carla Cuerva Loyzaga-Gibbs popularly known as Miss Bing Loyzaga-Gibbs or simply Miss Bing Loyzaga (born April 9, 1970) is a Filipina actress and singer. She is being known for her Antagonistic Roles like ''Babaeng Hampaslupa'' as Katarina, ''Si ...
as Esperanza Aldama
*
Michael V.
Beethoven Del Valle Bunagan (born December 17, 1969), known professionally as Michael V. and also known as Bitoy, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and recording artist, who appears in the GMA Network show ''Bubble Gang'' and ''Pepito Manaloto' ...
as Fulgoso's voice
* Nigel as Fulgoso
*
Manilyn Reynes
Manilyn Reynes-Jimenez (born April 27, 1972), simply known as Manilyn Reynes, is a Filipino actress, singer, TV host and commercial model. In the Philippines, Reynes has been referred to as "The Star of All Decades" and is recognized as one of ...
Sheena Halili
Sheena Yvette Castro Halili-Manzanero (born January 16, 1987) is a Filipino actress, host, and businesswoman. She is best known for her portrayals as a sidekick to protagonists or antagonists in hit television series.
Career
Halili entered Phi ...
as Monica
* Bianca King as Natalia Montenegro
* Marky Lopez as Arturo
*
Rufa Mae Quinto Rufa is a given name. Notable people with the name include:
* Rufa Mae Quinto (born 1978), Filipina actress, comedian, television host, and singer
*Rufa Mi
Maria Krista Aguilar (born April 8, 1988), known professionally as Rufa Mi, is a Filipina ...
Mike Tan
Jan Michael Silverio Tan (born December 31, 1986), is a Filipino actor. He became famous after he became the Ultimate Male Survivor in the second batch of the reality show '' StarStruck'' aired on GMA Network.
Personal life
Tan is of Chinese de ...
as Choi
* Mel Kimura as Perfecta
;Recurring cast
*
Arthur Solinap
Arthur Gonzales Solinap (born January 19, 1980) is a Filipino actor and model. He is known for his role as Robert in ''Pepito Manaloto''. Solinap's career began as a member of ''Abztract Dancers'' together with his cousin Dingdong Dantes. He ma ...
as Diego
*
Marvin Agustin
Marvin Jay Marquez Cuyugan (born January 29, 1979), known professionally as Marvin Agustin, is a Filipino actor, chef and entrepreneur.
Early life
Agustin is the youngest and the only male child of Theresa and Danilo Cuyugan and has two older s ...
as Rodolfo San Jinez
*
Francheska Salcedo
Franchesca "Chesca" Abanador Salcedo, also known as Chesca Salcedo (born March 16, 2002) is a Filipina actress. She plays the role of Cruzita Aldama Santibañez in '' MariMar'', the legitimate daughter of Marimar Aldama and Sergio Santibañez. ...
as Cruzita Aldama–Santibañez
* Dino Guevarra as Antonio
*
Carmina Villaroel
María Carmina Muñiz Villarroel-Legaspi (; August 17, 1975) is a Filipino actress, television presenter, and product endorser.
Personal life
Villarroel was previously married to Rustom Padilla in 1994; the two had no children, and Villarroel ...
as Rhia Concepcion
*
Lani Mercado
Lani Mercado-Revilla (born Jesusa Victoria Garcia Hernandez; April 13, 1968) is a Filipino actress and politician serving as representative of Cavite's 2nd district, which comprises only the city of Bacoor, from 2010 to 2016.
Personal life
She ...
as Vanessa Mae Cruz
*
Hayden Kho, Jr.
Hayden Kho Jr. is a Filipino media personality, model, actor, and cosmetic surgeon.
Life and education
Hayden Kho Jr. was born on May 20, 1980, the third of 4 children. His father, Hayden Kho Sr., is a Chinese people, Chinese doctor, while his ...
as Hayden Miranda
* Paolo Paraiso as Carlitos Solis
*
Shermaine Santiago
Shermaine Santiago (born February 16, 1980 in Manila, Philippines) is a Filipina actress, TV show host, and singer. She appeared in a lot of hit TV shows from GMA Network such as ''Best Friends'', ''Beh Bote Nga'', ''Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man'' ...
as Brenda
* Victor Aliwalas as Adrian Alasco
*
K Brosas
Maria Carmela Brosas (born 15 July 1975), better known by her screen name K Brosas, is a Filipina actress, comedian, singer and television host. She was born in the Philippines to an American father and a Filipina mother and was a band member ...
as Rowena
* Pocholo Montes as Vitug
*
Raquel Montessa
Raquel Monteza (born Maria Teresa Calimbahin Rounsaville on September 30, 1955) is a Filipino actress.
Career
Monteza appeared in movies such as ''"What Am I Living For"'' (1970) starring Eddie Peregrina,
''"Kapag may Gusot, may Lusot"'' (1973 ...
as Leonor Arcega
* Joseph Ison as Rodrigo
* Mike Gayoso as Angelika's bodyguard
;Guest cast
* Jaime Fabregas as Augusto Aldama
* Pilar Pilapil as Dolores Aldama
* Cristine Reyes as Kim Chan
* Irma Adlawan as Selva
* Soliman Cruz as Berto
* Bruno Folster as Bruno
* Gwen Garci as Olga
* Ailyn Luna as Cecilla
* Jan Marini as a DSWD officer
* Kirby de Jesus as a mental hospital patient
* Joanne Quintas as Jemma
* Ronnie Lazaro as Jose
*
Nicole Dulalia
Maria Nicole Jeremiah Dulalia (born October 20, 1997) is a Filipino television actress. She entered showbiz when she was chosen to play the role of Sha-sha in the telefantasya, Super Twins.Ella Cruz as young Marimar
Overview
''
Marimar
''Marimar'' is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a 1994 Mexican television series of the same title. Directed by Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre, it stars Marian Rivera in the title ...
'' was a Mexican TV telenovela that was first aired in 1994 on
Televisa
Grupo Televisa is a Mexican multimedia mass media company. A major Latin American mass media corporation, it often presents itself as the largest producer of Spanish-language content.
In April 2021, Televisa and Univision Communications announce ...
with singer-actress Thalía in the title role. The series had 75 forty-five-minute episodes, and is the second part of a "Maria" trilogy. The first was '' Maria Mercedes'', and the final was ''
Maria la del Barrio
Maria may refer to:
People
* Mary, mother of Jesus
* Maria (given name), a popular given name in many languages
Place names Extraterrestrial
*170 Maria, a Main belt S-type asteroid discovered in 1877
*Lunar maria (plural of ''mare''), large, da ...
''.
Casting
The contract with Televisa for the rights stipulates that
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 ...
should start the series in 2007. It was originally offered to Angel Locsin, as a follow-up to the big-budgeted action series ''Asian Treasure'' with Robin Padilla. However, Locsin rejected the offer. The network was prompted to give auditions to their roster of young actresses for the role. On March 13, 2008, a video of the fifteen actresses who auditioned for the role of Marimar leaked on YouTube. These actresses are Bianca King, Nadine Samonte, Jennylyn Mercado, Ryza Cenon, Jewel Mische,
LJ Reyes
Lourna Jane Pujeda Reyes (born December 25, 1987), known professionally as LJ Reyes, is a Filipina actress. She is best known as one of the Final Four in the second season of the widely acclaimed GMA reality TV show, '' StarStruck''. She won ...
Katrina Halili
Maria Katrina Iren Pe Halili (born January 4, 1986) is a Filipino actress and commercial model of Chinese descent. She made her screen debut through the reality talent search '' StarStruck'' in 2003, and became more popular playing several role ...
,
Valerie Concepcion
Valerie Norona Galang-Sunga (born December 21, 1987) is a Filipino actress, television host, and endorser. She is known for her role as Nora Ferrer in the soap opera ''Sinasamba Kita'' but later transferred to its rival network ABS-CBN. She then ...
,
Nancy Castiglione
Nancy Castiglione (born Nancy Jane Castiglione on February 24, 1981) is a Canadian former actress and singer who worked in the Philippines.
Personal life
She had a relationship with Luis Manzano. She was also linked to actor Empoy Marquez, perfo ...
,
Cheska Garcia
Cheska Garcia Kramer (born Francesca Marie Velasco Garcia; July 24, 1980) is a Filipino actress and model.
Early life
Cheska Garcia was born in Makati, Philippines to Francisco Pablo Pellicer Garcia, a Spanish mestizo, and Maria Celeste Dahlia ...
and
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 ...
.
The role eventually went to
Marian Rivera
Marian Rivera Gracia-Dantes (; born 12 August 1984) is a Filipino recording artist, actress, and commercial model. She gained prominence as a widely-acclaimed actress for her roles in '' MariMar'', ''Dyesebel'', '' Amaya'', ''Darna'' and '' Te ...
, who beat her closest rival for the role, Jennylyn Mercado. Some actresses who took part in the audition also landed major and supporting roles in the series. The antagonist role of Angelika Santibanez went first to Bing Loyzaga but was replaced by Katrina Halili. Her character Ashley was killed off from ''
Lupin
''Lupinus'', commonly known as lupin, lupine, or regionally bluebonnet etc., is a genus of plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The genus includes over 199 species, with centers of diversity in North and South America. Smaller centers occur ...
'' which would replace it, so the role of Esperanza went to Bing Loyzaga instead. The role of Natalia and Inocencia went to Bianca King and Nadine Samonte respectively.
Farewell special
A farewell special, "Marimar: Isang Pasasalamat" aired on March 9, 2008. The special got a 52.9% rating in Mega Manila which is the highest for that date according to AGB-Nielsen. It rated a higher 38.1% in the March 2008 ranking of AGB Nielsen's Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement.
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 ''Marimar'' earned a 36.6% rating. While the final episode scored a 52.6% rating which is the series' highest rating.