''Marimar'' 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 "''telebis ...

romance 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 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 kind ...

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 *

as Marimar Perez-Santibañez / Bella Aldama *

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 Richard Frank Icasiano Gomez (; born April 7, 1966) is a Filipino actor, television presenter and director, politician, and épée fencing, fencer. He has been serving as the House of Representatives of the Philippines, Representative of Ley ...

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 Soci ...

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 ...

as Pancho Perez *

Caridad Sanchez Caridad Yuson Sanchez-Babao (born August 1, 1933 in Mandaue) is a Filipina actress, mostly seen on GMA Network. In 1977, she played the role of Nanay Idad in the revival TV drama series based from the very successful radio soap opera (first he ...

as Cruz Perez *

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, '' S ...

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 ...

as Corazon *

Gabby Eigenmann Gabriel John Celebre Eigenmann (; born March 2, 1978) is a Filipino actor, singer, host and model. He is currently working as an exclusive talent of GMA Network. Background He was born on March 2, 1978 in Makati, Philippines. Gabby hails from ...

as Nicandro Mejia *

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 Bianca Charlotte King-Wintle (born 18 March 1985) is a German-born Filipino-Canadian former actress best known for playing the role as Noemi Manansala in the thriller drama series '' Sinner or Saint'' (2011), as Aviona in the hit ''fantaserye'' ...

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 ...

as Fifi's voice *

Nadine Samonte Nadine Burgos Eidloth-Chua (born March 2, 1988), known by her stage name Nadine Samonte, is a Filipino-German actress and model. She participated as an Avenger of the first season of '' StarStruck''. Career Samonte first ventured into show bus ...

as Innocencia Arcega *

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 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 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 as Leonor Arcega * Joseph Ison as Rodrigo * Mike Gayoso as Angelika's bodyguard ;Guest cast *

Jaime Fabregas Jaime Francisco García Fábregas (; born February 28, 1950) is a Filipino actor and musical scorer. Early life Jaime Francisco García Fábregas was born in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines to his parents Pedro Fábregas and Isabel Garc ...

as Augusto Aldama *

Pilar Pilapil Pilar, Portuguese and Spanish for pillar, may refer to: People * Pilar (given name), a common abbreviation of ''María del Pilar'', including a list of people so named * Pilar (surname), a list of people surnamed Pilar or del Pilar Places Argen ...

as Dolores Aldama *

Cristine Reyes Ara Cristine Pascual Klenk (born February 5, 1989), known professionally as Cristine Reyes, is a Filipino actress, model, dancer and endorser. She is often called as the "Ultimate Star" by the local media for her acting prowess and popularity. ...

as Kim Chan *

Irma Adlawan Irma Santonil Adlawan (born March 7, 1962) is a Filipino stage, television and film actress. She is dubbed as the “''Queen of Independent Cinema''” for her acting prowess and exceptional contribution to Philippine film industry. Adlawan is ...

as Selva * Soliman Cruz as Berto * Bruno Folster as Bruno * Gwen Garci as Olga * Ailyn Luna as Cecilla *

Jan Marini Jan Marini Alano is an actress and singer from the Philippines. She started her showbiz career in Ang TV, ABS-CBN's teen-oriented gag/variety show in the early 1990s. As one of the resident singers of the show, Jan honed her talents resulting ...

as a DSWD officer * Kirby de Jesus as a mental hospital patient * Joanne Quintas as Jemma *

Ronnie Lazaro Ronnie Zabala Lazaro (born November 14, 1957) is a Gawad Urian Award-winning Filipino film and television actor, producer, casting and art director. Biography He has received many nominations throughout his career as an actor, nine of which wer ...

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 Gabriela Annjane Umali Cruz (; born August 17, 1996) and is professionally known as Ella Cruz, is a Filipino actress, product endorser, host, commercial & promotional model, and dancer. She played the title character in the 2012 fantasy dra ...

as young Marimar

Overview

'' Marimar'' 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 Ariadna Thalía Sodi Miranda (; born 26 August 1971), known mononymously as Thalía, is a Mexican singer and actress. Referred to as the " Queen of Latin Pop", she is considered one of the most successful and influential Mexican artists. Havin ...

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

should start the series in 2007. It was originally offered to

Angel Locsin Angelica Locsin Colmenares (born April 23, 1985) is a Filipino actress and humanitarian. She is known for her dramatic roles and portrayals of heroines and mythological characters in film and television. She is a recipient of various accolades ...

, 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

Jennylyn Mercado Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado-Ho (; born May 15, 1987) is a Filipino actress, singer, and songwriter. She was the winner of the first season of the reality talent competition '' StarStruck''. Mercado garnered acclaim at a young age for her act ...

, Ryza Cenon,

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 Filipin ...

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 ...

Rhian Ramos Rhian Denise Ramos Howell (; born October 3, 1990), professionally known as Rhian Ramos, is a Filipino actress, commercial model, singer, host and race car driver. She is an exclusive talent of GMA Network Career Ramos started working in com ...

Camille Prats Sheena Patricia Camille Quiambao Prats–Yambao (born June 20, 1985) is a Filipino actress, TV host, comedienne, and businesswoman. She starred in a series of successful films and television shows, since gaining media attention when she played ...

Pauleen Luna Marie Pauleen Luna Sotto (born Marie Pauleen Javier Luna; born November 10, 1988) is a Filipino actress and television personality. She appears on GMA Network, particularly as one of the regular hosts of the long-running Philippine variety sho ...

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, per ...

, Cheska Garcia 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

, who beat her closest rival for the role,

. 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.

Accolades

References

External links

* {{Inés Rodena 2007 Philippine television series debuts 2008 Philippine television series endings Filipino-language television shows GMA Network drama series Philippine romance television series Philippine television series based on Mexican television series Philippine television series based on telenovelas Television shows set in the Philippines