''Darna'' 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 ...

action

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving Magic (supernatural), 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 ...

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

Mars Ravelo Marcial "Mars" Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist who created ''Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman'', ''Bondying'', '' Varga'', ''Wanted: Perfect Mother'', ''Hiwag ...

's fictional Philippine superheroine of the same title. Directed by

Dominic Zapata Dominic Zapata (born February 14, 1971), is a Filipino television and film director. He is a graduate of the De La Salle University-Manila and Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati. He took up AB Communication Arts and BSC Marketing Management (CAM ...

and

Don Michael Perez Don Michael Perez is a Filipino television writer, film writer, television director, and film director. He is a resident writer and director for GMA Network. His most famous works were ''Mulawin'', ''Destiny Rose'' and ''Kambal, Karibal''. Fil ...

, 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. It premiered on August 10, 2009 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing ''

Zorro Zorro (Spanish language, Spanish for 'fox') is a fictional character created in 1919 by American pulp magazine, pulp writer Johnston McCulley, appearing in works set in the Pueblo of Los Angeles in Alta California. He is typically portrayed a ...

''. The series concluded on February 19, 2010 with a total of 140 episodes. It was replaced by ''

Panday Kids ''Carlo J. Caparas's Panday Kids'' (), or simply ''Panday Kids'', is a 2010 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is a television sequel to the 2009 film '' Ang Panday''. Directed by Mike Tuviera and Dom ...

'' in its timeslot.

Cast and characters

;Lead cast *

as Narda /

Darna Darna () is a Filipina superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character's first appearance was in ''Pilipino Komiks'' (Ace Publications, Inc.) #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier cha ...

/ Evil Darna / Ex-O / Phoenix ;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 s ...

as Eduardo / Black Rider *

Dennis Trillo Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho (born 12 May 1981), known professionally as Dennis Trillo (), is a Filipino actor, model and recording artist. He is currently a contract star of GMA Network. He was known for his role as Eric del Mundo in the firs ...

as Pancho *

Iwa Moto Aileen Quimado Iwamoto (born August 29, 1988), known by her stage name , is a Japanese–Filipino actress, model and reality television personality. She is the first runner up in the third season of '' StarStruck'', a reality-based talent sear ...

as Valentina *

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 Roma / Babaeng Impakta * Ehra Madrigal as Armida / Babaeng Lawin *

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 Lucifera / Babaeng Tuod *

Maggie Wilson Margaret Nales Wilson, known as Maggie Wilson (born March 15, 1989), is a Filipino-British beauty queen, TV personality, actress, model and entrepreneur. Early life Wilson was born in Bacolod City and raised in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. One of th ...

as Octavia Moran / Lutgarda Morales / Babaeng Linta *

Rochelle Pangilinan Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap (born May 23, 1982) is a Filipino dancer, actress and recording artist. She was one of the founding members of the popular group SexBomb Girls. In 2007, she repackaged herself as a short-term rap and hip-hop artist ...

as Deborah Santos *

Jackie Rice Jacqueline Sobreo Rice (born April 27, 1990) is a Filipino-American actress, singer, and model. Career and personal life Born to an American father and a Filipino mother, she grew up in Olongapo City, Zambales. She was a student at St. Anne ...

as Helena / Helga *

Roxanne Barcelo Anne Roxanne Barcelo (born January 20, 1985), also known as Roxee B, is a Filipino-American actress, model and singer. In 2006, she became one of the 14 housemates of ABS-CBN's '' Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Edition''. Before entering the Big ...

as Aleli *

Buboy Villar Robert "Buboy" Tamayo Villar, Jr. (born March 21, 1998) is a Filipino actor, comedian, host and singer. He is currently signed under GMA's talent agency Sparkle. Early life Robert Tamayo Villar, Jr. was born on March 21, 1998 in Cebu City but ...

as Carding "Ding" Santos *

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 Francesca *

Raymart Santiago Raymond Martin Legaspi Santiago (born July 20, 1973) is a Filipino, TV host, actor, and comedian. Career After making his movie debut in Viva Films' youth comedy ''Estudyante Blues'' (''Student Woes''), Santiago became a Viva contract artist an ...

as Crisanto *

Alfred Vargas Alfredo Paolo Dumlao Vargas III (born October 24, 1979), professionally known as Alfred Vargas, is a Filipino politician, actor, and model serving as the representative of Quezon City's 5th district since 2013. He previously served as a city ...

as Gabriel *

Krista Kleiner Krista Eileen Arrieta Kleiner (born June 12 1989), is a Filipino-American entertainer, creator and beauty queen. She joined Binibining Pilipinas 2010 (Miss Philippines) and won Binibining Pilipinas-International 2010 (Miss Philippines Internat ...

as Liberty *

Polo Ravales Paul Patrick Rodil Gruenberg (born June 27, 1982), simply known as Polo Ravales, is a Filipino actor and model. Engaged to Paulyn Quiza, a fitness coach and Managing Director of their International Manpower family business. Career Ravales' fi ...

as Shiro ;Guest cast * Akihiro Sato as Vladimir *

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 Dina Arcilla *

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 Serpina / Valentina *

Paolo Contis Paolo Enrico Tusi Contis (born March 14, 1984) is a Filipino actor host singer and comedian of Italian descent. Contis debuted as a child actor in the ABS-CBN show ''Ang TV'' during the 1990s. A GMA Network artist for 17 years, he has won sever ...

as Kobra *

Regine Velasquez Regina Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez ( ; born April 22, 1970) is a Filipina singer, actress, and record producer. She is considered one of the most influential figures in Philippine popular culture and is known for her vocal range and beltin ...

as Elektra *

Angel Aquino Angel Aquino (born Angelita Velasquez Aquino on February 7, 1973) is a Filipino film and television actress. She is currently part of ABS-CBN's contract talents. She is mostly known for her lead antagonist roles such as Ether in '' Encantadia: ...

as the original Darna *

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 Loleng *

Celia Rodriguez Cecilia Rodriguez (born June 21, 1938) is a multi-awarded Filipina actress. She appeared in more than 130 movies and television shows. She won four FAMAS Awards in the films ''Kulay Dugo ang Gabi'', ''The Passionate Strangers'', ''Lilet'' and ' ...

as Perfecta *

Mike "Pekto" Nacua 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 Jerry *

John Feir John Feir (born December 26, 1968) is a Filipino comedian and actor. He is known for his work on ''Encantadia, Alyas Robin Hood'' and ''Pepito Manaloto''. He is currently working as an exclusive talent of GMA Network. Career John started his TV ...

as Tomas *

Eddie Garcia Eduardo Verchez Garcia (; May 2, 1929 – June 20, 2019), known colloquially as Manoy, was a Filipino actor, television personality, film director and producer. With almost 600 film and television roles and a career spanning seven decades, he ...

as Padre Mateo *

Ricky Davao Frederick Charles Davao, professionally known as Ricky Davao (born May 30, 1961) is a Filipino actor, television director, and industrial management engineer (graduated from Mapua Institute of Technology. He is the husband of actress Jackie Lou ...

as Dr. Morgan *

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 Apollo *

Bearwin Meily Bearwin Meily (born April 4, 1976) is a Filipino comedian actor, TV host and a recent vlogger. Early career He started his career as an extra ''Palibhasa Lalake'' in ABS-CBN and eventually became regular. Current career But later on he moved ...

as Watson *

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

as young Eduardo *

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 Simon *

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 Alicia *

Angeli Nicole Sanoy Angellie Sanoy (born February 15, 2001) is a Filipina child actress. She rose to stardom after playing the role of Narda (young darna) in the 2009 TV series ''Darna'' along with Marian Rivera and Regine Velasquez. During the year of 2011 she pla ...

as young Narda *

John Apacible Enrique Rustia Apacible III, popularly known as John Apacible (January 22, 1973 – March 20, 2011) was a Filipino television and movie actor who worked in Filipino productions. Early life He was born in Cainta, Rizal on January 22, 1973. C ...

as Nestor *

Janice de Belen Catherine Janice Yap de Belen (; born November 9, 1968), better known as Janice de Belen, is a Filipino actress, commercial model and television host. She is dubbed as the “''Queen of Horror-Drama''” for her acting prowess and exceptional ...

as Aling Consuelo * Sweet Ramos as young Valentina * Allan "Mura" Padua as Impy *

Sabrina Man Sabrina Man (born March 12, 2000) is a Chinese-Filipino actress, television host and commercial model. She was Little Miss Laguna 2007 and the first Little Earth Angel-Air (young counterparts of Miss Philippines Earth). She has starred in sever ...

as young Serpina *

Hayden Kho 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 doctor, while his mother, Irene d ...

as Danny *

Ella Guevara Ella Guevara (born Janella Denise Yuson Guevara; August 19, 1998, Quezon City) is a Filipina child actress. She rose to fame through her appearance on a talent search on television called '' StarStruck Kids'' that aired on the Filipino televisi ...

as Narda II

Reception

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 ''Darna'' earned a 44.1% rating. While the final episode scored a 32.9% rating.

Critical response

''Darna'' opened with positive reviews, writer Nestor Torre of

Philippine Daily Inquirer The ''Philippine Daily Inquirer'' (''PDI''), or simply the ''Inquirer'', is an English-language newspaper in the Philippines. Founded in 1985, it is often regarded as the Philippines' newspaper of record. The newspaper is the most awarded bro ...

said the pilot episode is "loud and livid". Torre continues to mention "...two performances stand out because they’re 'different'. The first is Janice de Belen’s portrayal of Consuelo, the mother of Valentina. De Belen’s characterization is outstanding, because it’s deeply felt, while not being over-the-top..." and "the other interesting performance thus far is turned in by Iwa Moto as Valentina. With some help from creative scripting, her character is more tragic and conflicted than past versions of the story had it". Jun Lana's script was also praised by Torre for creating "Valentina's terrible secret initially pains her rather than turns her into a vengeful monster, and the ostracism she suffers adds enormously to her loneliness and grief, which are alleviated only by her only friend, Narda. Of course, the ironic twist to all this is that Narda will eventually morph into superheroine Darna, with whom Valentina must fight to the death." Lana told

Manila Bulletin The ''Manila Bulletin'' (), (also known as the ''Bulletin'' and previously known as the ''Manila Daily Bulletin'' from 1906 to September 23, 1972, and the ''Bulletin Today'' from November 22, 1972, to March 10, 1986) is the Philippines' largest ...

that this version of ''Darna'' will be "totally different" especially with the characters, he mentions "what if Narda doesn't want to become Darna?" - a subject never touched upon in other versions of the graphic novel.Psychic predicts more success coming Marian Rivera’s way
mb.com.ph

References

External links

* {{Darna 2009 Philippine television series debuts 2010 Philippine television series endings Darna Fantaserye and telefantasya Filipino-language television shows GMA Network drama series Philippine action television series Superhero television series Television shows based on comics Television shows set in the Philippines