''Maria Flordeluna'' is a Philippine

primetime Prime time or the peak time is the block of broadcast programming taking place during the middle of the evening for a television show. It is mostly targeted towards adults (and sometimes families). It is used by the major television networks to ...

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television Serial (radio and television), serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio drama ...

that aired on

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN (an initialism of its two predecessors' names, Alto Broadcasting System and Chronicle Broadcasting Network) is a Philippine commercial broadcast network that serves as the flagship property of ABS-CBN Corporation, a company unde ...

and DZMM TeleRadyo in the Philippines and 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 ...

worldwide. A radio version of the series aired weekdays on DZMM Radyo Patrol 630 in the Philippines. The show aired from February 12, 2007 to June 22, 2007 replacing '' Super Inggo'' and was replaced by ''

Ysabella ''Ysabella'' is a 2007 Philippine drama television series starring Judy Ann Santos, Coney Reyes, Ryan Agoncillo and Derek Ramsay. The series debuted on ABS-CBN from June 25, 2007 to January 25, 2008, replacing '' Maria Flordeluna'' and was repl ...

''. The series is based on the ''Flordeluna'' radio drama of the 1970s written by Marcos Navarro Sacol. ''Flordeluna'' was first adapted for television by RPN in the 1970s starring

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 exception ...

in the title role. It tells the story of the title character, an 11-year-old girl, and her efforts in bringing her family together against all odds.

Cast and characters

Cast

;Main cast *

Eliza Pineda Maria Eliza Pineda Bautista (born August 23, 1995), or better known as Eliza Pineda, is a Filipino actress. Early career Pineda is an original talent of ABS-CBN from 2002 to 2017 whose she is also a former child actress in a various acting ski ...

as Ma. Flordelunaa "Flor" A. Alicante† *

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'' fi ...

as Josephine "Jo" Espero-Alicante *

Albert Martinez Alberto Pineda Martinez (born April 19, 1961), is a Filipino actor, director and producer. Early life He was born in Manila on April 19, 1961 to Bert Martinez, and Margarita Pineda. Career Martinez began as a film actor. He took his first te ...

as Gen. Leo Alicante / Leo A. Alvarado *

John Estrada John Anthony Siason Estrada (born June 13, 1973) is a Filipino film and TV actor who has starred in a number of roles as a leading man, comedian and villain. He is a contract actor of ABS-CBN, where he remained there from 1990 to 2018 and ...

as Gary "Spider" Alvarado *

Vina Morales Sharon Garcia Magdayao (born October 17, 1975), known by her stage name Vina Morales (), is a Filipino singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and model. Dubbed as the “''Ultimate Performer''” by various media outlets, she has won 2 Awit ...

as Ma. Elvira Aragoncillo-Alicante† *

Liza Lorena Elizabeth Ann Jolene Luciano Winsett (born October 31, 1949), known professionally as Liza Lorena, is a Philippine actress. She was a First Runner-Up in the Bb. Pilipinas pageant in 1966. Career Lorena was a flight stewardess (for PAL domestic ...

as Brigida "Mamita" Espero *

Alwyn Uytingco Alwyn Uytingco (born February 11, 1988, in Quezon City) is a Filipino actor. Early life Cipriano Alwyn Sumulong Uytingco III was born on February 11, 1988, in Quezon City, Manila, Philippines. He was educated at the Marist School (Marikina) ...

as Jacob Charles "JC" Custodio *

Jill Yulo Jill Yulo (born December 28, 1989) is a Filipina actress who is a member of Star Magic, ABS-CBN's talent management and development center. She starred in Star Cinema's ''D'Anothers'' and was a finalist, with Alwyn Uytingco, on '' Qpids''. She re ...

as Annie Natividad *

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''. Oth ...

† as Ret. Gen. Carlos Alvarado† *

Roldan Aquino Rolando Desembrana Aquino (May 2, 1942 – March 10, 2014) was a Filipino actor and director, best known for playing antagonist roles in films and television shows. He also became a Born-Again Evangelical Christian and he was ordained as a pas ...

† as Tibor Natividad *

Nash Aguas Aeign Zackrey Nash Victoriano Aguas (; born October 10, 1998), known professionally as Nash Aguas, is a Filipino actor, businessman/entrepreneur, real-estate investor, and politician. Career At the age of five, Aguas made his television debut ...

as Renato Manuel "Rene Boy" A. Alicante *

Kristel Fulgar Kristel Aina Oquindo Fulgar (born December 29, 1994) is a Filipino actress and singer. She is known for her roles in ''Goin' Bulilit'', '' Maria Flordeluna'', '' Dahil Sa Pag-ibig'', ''Got to Believe'' and Bagito. Filmography Television F ...

as Wilma Espero * Minnie Aguilar as Soling ;Supporting cast * Mark Dionisio as Lt. Col. Isagani Fernandez * Frances Ignacio as Marie Cuanio * Menggie Cobarrubias† as General Torres *

Neil Ryan Sese Neil Ryan Sese (born April 26, 1979) is a Filipino actor. He is currently working as an exclusive talent of GMA Network. Sese is best known for portraying Asval in the 2016 version of ''Encantadia''. Background Neil Ryan Sese was only seven y ...

as Adolfo Perez * Cheena Crab as Greta * Darius Cardano as Mark * Johann Nicdao as Marco * Peewee OHara as Iya: She is JC's yaya or nanny who helps him and Annie realize their feelings for each other. * Dennis Coronel as Captain Castro * Nikki Bagaporo as Angel: She is Flor's best friend at school. * Ariel Reonal as Ariel Trono: He's a television news correspondent who reports on the controversy about Leo Alicante and Gary/Spider and later on contacts the latter for a price. ;Guest cast * Carlo Artillaga as Lawyer of Leo * Bing Davao as Young Carlos * Mika Dela Cruz as Ma. Flordeluna "Flor" E. Alicante II * Patrick dela Rosa as Allan * Gabb Drillon as Teenage Gary * Franzen Fajardo as Enteng * Mar Garchitorena as Governor Aragoncillo * Tanya Gomez as Teresita V. Alicante * Nanding Josef as Mang Jose * Mike Lloren as Max * Ricky Rivero as Police Investigator *

Yul Servo John Marvin Cruz Nieto (born February 22, 1977), popularly known by his stage name Yul Servo Nieto or simply Yul Servo, is a Filipino actor and politician who is currently the vice mayor of Manila, the capital city of the Philippines, since 20 ...

as Danillo Ferrer * Yvette Taguera as Lias ;Radio cast There was the voice cast of the radio version of ''Maria Flordeluna'' which was broadcast weekdays at 2:30PM on

DZMM DZMM (630 AM) Radyo Patrol was a commercial news/talk radio station broadcasting from Quezon City, Philippines, serving the Mega Manila market. It was the flagship station of the Radyo Patrol Network owned by ABS-CBN. The station's studio w ...

. It ended to make way for '' MMK sa DZMM''. * Roxanne Manato as Ma. Flordeluna Alicante * Christian Alvear as Renato Manuel "Rene Boy" Alicante * Mary Joy Adorable as Wilma Espero * Rosanna Villegas as Jo Espero * Danny Depante as Leo Alicante * Abby Masilongan as Elvira Aragoncillo-Alicante * Eric Galvez as Gary Alvarado

Theme songs

The series theme song is "Maria Flordeluna" and was written by Arden Condez and

Jonathan Manalo Jonathan Suarez Manalo (born November 26, 1978) is a multi-awarded. Filipino songwriter and record producer. He is currently the creative director of ABS-CBN Music, having composed numerous compositions for ABS-CBN programs. His compositions fo ...

. It was composed and arranged by Jonathan Manalo and is performed by Sheryn Regis. The song was nominated for a 2007 Awit Award. There are also two love themes: "Hanggang May Kailanman" performed by

, but originally performed by

Carol Banawa Carol Claire Aguilar Banawa-Crisostomo (born March 4, 1981), better known in the Philippines as Carol Banawa, is a US-based Filipina singer, actress, and nurse. She is a Star Magic Batch 4 alumna. Early life and career Raised in Batangas, she ...

(both versions were used on the show) and "Lihim" performed by

Acel Bisa Maria Cecilia Beronilla Bisa van Ommen, also known as Acel Bisa (her maiden name), is a singer and songwriter from the Philippines.Bi ...

. Also used during the show is a version of "Lihim" sung by Alwyn Uytingco and Jill Yulo.

Reception

''Maria Flordeluna'' was the only primetime drama series in 2007 on either ABS-CBN or GMA to have gained viewers through the duration of its run until its eventual record breaking finale episode. It currently holds the record as the highest rated program on nationwide Philippine television (42.3%, based on monthly nationwide ratings) since AGB Nielsen's nationwide urban television audience measurement service (NUTAM) was first launched in October 2006. The finale episode itself holds the record as the highest NUTAM rated series finale (and highest rated episode of a regular series) with a 49.3%.

Awards and nominations

The 21st Star Awards for Television

The series was nominated for Best Primetime Drama Series at the 21st Star Awards for Television, given by The Philippine Movie Press Club.

The 20th Awit Awards 2007

The theme song, "Maria Flordeluna," was nominated in the category of Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play.

Catholic Mass Media Awards 2008

The series is nominated for Best Drama Series/Program against fellow ABS-CBN series '' Lobo'' and ''

Maalaala Mo Kaya ''Maalaala Mo Kaya'' (; formerly written as ''Maala-ala Mo Kaya...''; abbreviated as ''MMK''), also known as ''Memories'', is a Philippine television drama anthology show broadcast by Kapamilya Channel under ABS-CBN Entertainment. Hosted by C ...

''.

Credits

* Directed by Jerry Lopez Sineneng * 2nd Unit Director: Rechie del Carmen * Headwriter Arah Jell Badayos * Writers: Rose Colindres, Arden Condez * Executive Producers: Minnella Abad, Myleen Ongkiko * Musical Director: Jessie Lasaten * Lighting Director: Christopher Manjares, George Tutanes * Production Designers: Sammy Aranzamendez, Malou Dugtong-de Guzman * Creative Consultant: Loida Viriña * Creative Manager: Jake Tordesillas * Production Manager: Annaliza A. Goma * Executive-in-Charge of Creative: Olivia M. Lamasan * Executive-in-Charge of Production: Malou N. Santos * Associate Producer Maria Eleanor Trono * Assistant Directors Bombee Blaza, Raymond Ocampo, Paul Michael Acero

Production

More than 1,000 young actresses auditioned for the role of Maria Flordeluna which eventually went to Eliza Pineda. The pilot episode aired for approximately one hour and 20 minutes on Monday, February 12, 2007. The finale episode had a runtime of approximately 45 minutes (excluding commercials). *The original role was played by TV host and actress child star Janice de Belen. *The writer of the story is Loida Virina, who also made ''

Gulong ng Palad ''Gulong ng Palad'' (International title: ''Stand for Love'' / ) is a Philippine radio drama series (1949-1956), which first aired by DZRH and soap opera hit from 1977 up to 1985 (originally aired by BBC-2, then formerly City 2 Television from 19 ...

''. Both her serials were very successful and remade on ABS-CBN. *The 1970s version ran for 10 years, while the 2007 version ran for 4 months. *Eliza Pineda and Kristel Fulgar were together for the second time after the drama series ''

Bituin ''Bituin'' (International title: ''Star'') is a 2002 musical Philippine soap opera that was aired by ABS-CBN from September 23, 2002 to May 23, 2003 replacing ''Pangako Sa 'Yo'' and was replaced by ''Basta't Kasama Kita''. It starred Carol Banawa ...

'', as the young Desiree Del Valle (Eliza) and young Carol Banawa (Kristel).

References

External links

''Maria Flordeluna'' Official Website

''Maria Flordeluna'' Official Blog
* {{IMDb title, id=0929244, title=Maria Flordeluna
ABS-CBN Forums - ''Maria Flordeluna'' Forum

''Maria Flordeluna'' Thread
at Pinoy Exchange Forums
Maria Flordeluna
at Telebisyon.net 2007 Philippine television series debuts 2007 Philippine television series endings ABS-CBN drama series Television series by Star Creatives Filipino-language television shows Television shows set in the Philippines