''Mirabella'' is a 2014 Philippine drama fantasy television series directed by Erick C. Salud, Jerome Chavez Pobocan, Jojo A. Saguin and Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV, starring

Julia Barretto Julia Francesca Barretto Baldivia (born March 10, 1997), better known for her screen name Julia Barretto (), is a Filipino actress and model. Dubbed as the “''Drama Princess''” of her generation by various media outlet, Barretto was inducte ...

in her first lead role, together with

Enrique Gil Enrique Mari Bacay Gil V (; born March 30, 1992) is a Filipino actor, dancer, and commercial model. Gil has appeared in various films and television shows such as ''Mula Sa Puso'', ''Budoy'', '' Princess and I'', '' Muling Buksan Ang Puso'' an ...

Sam Concepcion Samuel Lawrence Lopez Concepcion (born October 17, 1992) is a Filipino singer, dancer, actor, VJ and host. Concepcion emerged as the winner for the Big Division of the first season of ''Little Big Star'' in April 2006. Concepcion currently h ...

and Mika Dela Cruz. The series was aired on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine Commercial broadcasting, commercial broadcast broadcast network, network tha ...

's ''Primetime Bida'' evening block and worldwide on

The Filipino Channel The Filipino Channel, commonly known as TFC, is a 24-hour global subscription television network based in Daly City, California with studios in Redwood City, California and offices in Africa, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cayman Islands, UAE, Ethi ...

from March 24, 2014, to July 4, 2014, replacing ''

Annaliza ''Annaliza'' is a 2013 Philippine family drama television series based on the 1980 television series (aired by GMA Radio Television Arts) that starred Julie Vega, together with Alicia Alonzo, Renato del Prado, Augusto Victa and Daria Ramirez. ...

'', and was replaced by '' Pure Love''.

Synopsis

After joining a beauty contest, a beautiful woman named Daisy catches the attention of a judge. Entangled in forbidden love and adultery, the judge's wife Olivia soon finds out about her husband's affair. In anger, Olivia turns to a ritual through a mysterious tree and curses Daisy by taking away her beauty. Like the very same tree used in the ritual, Daisy's skin took on the same exact wood-like appearance. After her mother's death, Mira was named and raised by her aunt. The result of the illicit affair between her mother and the married judge, Mira was also affected by the curse; her skin wooden-like similar to her mother. Due to her appearance, she was often ridiculed and targeted by bullies. Despite the many hardships she faced, she continues to have a positive outlook of life; finding comfort from those who genuinely cares about her. Crushing on a boy who seem to accept her for who she is regardless of her curse, she is humiliated once more when he betrays her and sides with her bullies. Bitter and overwhelmed from the constant torment, Mira vows revenge to all people who have hurt her. With the help of a mysterious flower that blooms through her mother's statue, she is able to temporarily break the curse. Using her now beautiful appearance, she pushes to become famous as a new aspiring model named 'Bella'. Those who have agonised her will pay.

Cast and characters

Protagonist

as MiraBella "Bella" Arboleda Robles *

as Jeremy Palmera *

as Terrence Laurel * Mika Dela Cruz as Iris Flores Robles

Main cast

Pokwang Marietta Subong (born August 27, 1970), known professionally as Pokwang, is a Filipino comedian, actress, television host and singer. She started in a reality show on ABS-CBN and subsequently appeared in dramas and sitcoms of the network. She a ...

as Mimosa "Osang" Balete *

John Lapus Jonathan Anthony Solis "John" Lapus (born July 7, 1973), also known as Sweet, is a Filipino actor, host, comedian, and film and television director. Lapus is known for his various roles in films such as '' Shake, Rattle & Roll''. He was a head ...

as Rafael "Paeng" Amarillo *

Mylene Dizon Mylene Dizon (; born September 6, 1974) is a Filipino actress and model. Dizon has established herself as one of the most renowned actresses in Philippine cinema with an astounding 30 films and nearly 50 television roles to her credit, as well ...

as Olivia "Olive" Flores-Robles *

James Blanco James Blanco Castillo (born June 15, 1981), known professionally as James Blanco, is a Filipino singer-songwriter, actor, and model. A freelance actor, he is known for his roles in '' Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin'' (2001 – 2002), '' Rubi'' (2010), ...

as Alfred Robles *

Gloria Diaz Gloria Maria Aspillera Diaz (; born 10 March 1951) is a Filipino actress of film and television, model and beauty queen who rose to fame after being crowned Miss Universe 1969, becoming the first Filipino to hold the Miss Universe title. Early ...

as Lucia Magnolia Flores

Supporting cast

* Arlene Muhlach as Dahlia *

Liza Diño Mary Liza Bautista Diño-Seguerra (born June 25, 1981) is a government official, former beauty pageant winner and actress in the Philippines. Career During her time as a student, she joined Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty pageant and won as Mutya n ...

as Aster Palmera-Laurel *

DJ Durano Thaddeus Presbitero Durano Jr. (born August 17, 1974), also known as his stage name DJ Durano, is a Filipino actor, television personality, singer and recording artist. His career in entertainment started as part of '' That's Entertainment'' o ...

as Manuel Laurel

Extended cast

Makisig Morales Makisig Morales appeared on the TV reality-show '' Little Big Star'' and is the delivery man of the boy band Mak and the Dudes. As a child actor, he played the lead role in the ''International Emmy-nominated fantaserye, ''Super Inggo''.'' At the ...

as Jefferson * Alora Sasam as Marigold *

Diego Loyzaga Carlos Diego Loyzaga Manhilot (born May 21, 1995) is a Filipino model, actor and video jockey. He is known as one of the members of the male group ''Kapamilya'' Cuties.Paulo Angeles Miguel Paulo Detera Angeles (born October 27, 1997) is a Filipino actor, singer and dancer. Angeles is a talent of ABS-CBN under Star Magic. Angeles was first seen on TV via Mirabella, a Philippine melodramatic fantasy television series in 20 ...

as Nico * Alexa Macanan as Violet *

Noemi Oineza Noemi Oineza (born October 7, 1999) is a Filipino actress and model. She is best known for her role as Lottie in ''Princess Sarah''. She is also a child star on '' Goin' Bulilit''. Later, she played villainous roles in ''Wansapanataym ''Wans ...

as Lilac * Nikki Bagaporo as Jasmin Bonifacio * Marinella Sevidal as Rose * Jose Sarasola as Benson * Marvin Yap as Adonis * Greggy Santos as Edward Chavez

Guest cast

* Angel Jacob as Petunia * Marina Benipayo as Zenia "Ms. Z" *

Dianne Medina Maria Patricia Dianne Perez Medina-Ilustre (born November 5, 1986) is a Filipino actress, dancer, television host, anchor and part-time model. Medina is also a former member of ABS-CBN's developmental talent agent Star Magic. Early life Dianne Me ...

as Holly * DJ Chacha as Herself * Lander Vera Perez as Anthony

Special participation

Dimples Romana Dianne Marie Bonifacio Romana-Ahmee (born November 13, 1976) or better known as Dimples Romana is a Filipino actress. Career Romana finished at International Hospitality Management Major in Culinary Arts at Enderun College after she finished h ...

as Daisy Arboleda * Alysson McBride as Young Mira / Bella Arboleda * Veyda Inoval as Young Iris Robles * Maliksi Morales as Young Jefferson * Sofia Discher as Young Marigold * Parjan Santos as Young Jeremy Palmera

Soundtrack

* ''Sabihin Mo Sa Akin'' -

Klarisse de Guzman Klarisse de Guzman (born September 6, 1991) is a Filipino singer and composer who rose to prominence after winning as the first-runner up of the first season of The Voice of the Philippines in 2013 and being crowned the winner of the third s ...

* ''Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka'' -

Aiza Seguerra Cariza "Ice" Yamson Seguerra (born September 17, 1983), formerly and still known professionally as Aiza Seguerra, is a Filipino actor, singer-songwriter, director and guitarist. Initially coming out as a lesbian in 2007, Seguerra now identifies ...

Production

The series was first unveiled in May 2013 as an adaptation of Dominador Ad Castillo novel ''Cofradia''. — The story centers on Cofradia, a young woman who is afraid to fall in love because of her dark complexion. With the help of a magic candle, she eventually transforms into a beautiful lady. The novel had film adaptations in 1953 and 1973. However, due to criticisms over the material's alleged racism, Dreamscape announced in July 2013 that it had re-worked into a new series to feature an original story that is "equally exciting and equally beautiful."

Cast changes

Diego Loyzaga and

Kiko Estrada Jason Joseph Francis Carlos Diaz Ejercito (; born June 4, 1995), known professionally as Kiko Estrada, is a Filipino actor who is best known for his role in ''Tween Hearts'' on GMA Network before he transferred to ABS-CBN, where he appeared in ...

were originally part of the main cast, but was later replaced by Enrique Gil and Sam Concepcion respectively. Estrada returned to ''

'', while Loyzaga later remained as part of the series in a supporting antagonist role instead.

Liza Soberano Hope Elizabeth Soberano( , ; born January 4, 1998), professionally known as Liza Soberano, is a Filipino actress, model and singer. She started in a range of television series and films, including ''Wansapanataym'' (2011), '' Kung Ako'y Iiwan M ...

was also reported to be part of the series, but later became part of ''

Got to Believe ''Got to Believe'' is a 2013 Philippine romantic comedy-drama television series directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina and starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. The series was aired on ABS-CBN and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from August ...

'' instead.Liza Soberano Joins “Got To Believe” Forms Love Triangle (Video)
/ref> Soberano was later replaced by Mika dela Cruz. Later on Soberano and Gil worked together in '' Forevermore''. This is a second time of Julia and Sam to appear on the show, since ''

Walang Kapalit ''Walang Kapalit'' (''Irreplaceable'') is a Philippine television series which was broadcast by ABS-CBN. Starring Piolo Pascual and Claudine Barretto, it aired from April 23, 2007 to August 31, 2007, replacing ''Sana Maulit Muli'' on ABS-CBN's ...

'' in 2007.

Reception

According to data from

Kantar Media Philippines Kantar Media Research Philippines (formerly known as Kantar/TNS Philippines, popularly called Kantar Media Philippines or simply Kantar Media), is a market research firm in the Philippines specializing in broadcast media. Kantar Media is re ...

, ''Mirabella'' scored a national TV rating of 22% on its pilot episode on March 24, 2014. The highest rating was its final episode on July 4, 2014, scoring a 27.3%.

References

{{reflist ABS-CBN drama series 2014 Philippine television series debuts 2014 Philippine television series endings Fantaserye and telefantasya Philippine horror fiction television series Philippine melodrama television series Television series about revenge Philippine supernatural television series Television series by Dreamscape Entertainment Television Filipino-language television shows Television shows set in the Philippines