Darna, Valentina slay on red carpet at TV series’ media launch

  • Page Views 371

  • MANILA The cast of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna,” led by Jane de Leon and Janella Salvador, walked the
    red carpet on Monday as ABSCBN finally launched its TV adaptation of the Mars Ravelo character.

    De Leon, who portrays the title character, was the lone cast member who wore white, with the rest,
    plus the directors, donning black.

    Salvador, who plays Darna’s nemesis Valentina, channeled her serpenthaired character by bringing
    a pet snake to the red carpet.

    Fellow lead stars Joshua Garcia and Zaijian Jaranilla, who play Ding and Brian respectively, joined
    the media launch remotely. Iza Calzado, who portrays the first Darna and Narda’s mother Leonor,
    was meanwhile shown through a recorded message.

    Cast members who took the stage included Rio Locsin, Paolo Gumabao, Simon Ibarra, Young JV,
    Zeppi Borromeo, Marvin Yap, Yogo Singh, LA Santos, Joj Agpangan, Mark Manicad, Richard Quan,
    Dawn Chang, Eric Fructuoso, and Jeffrey Santos.

    They were joined by acclaimed filmmaker Chito S. Rono, along with directors Avel Sunpongco and
    Benedict Mique, who are helming the series. Rex Ravelo, son of Mars Ravelo, also sat alongside the
    cast and creative team to urge support for the adaptation. (abscbn)

    Vilma Santos gives blessing to
    Jane de Leon as new Darna

    MANILA Vilma Santos has symbolically passed on Darna’s mythical stone to Jane de Leon, as the
    screen veteran gave her blessing to the newgeneration actress on Monday, during the media
    launch of ABSCBN’s adaptation of the pop culture icon.

    In the opening minutes of the press launch of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna,” de Leon was surprised with a
    recorded message from Santos, who portrayed the Mars Ravelo character in four movies from 1973
    to 1980.

    Santos, 68, donned the comics character’s battle gear in “Lipad, Darna, Lipad,” “Darna and the
    Giants,” “Darna vs the Planet Women,” and “Darna at Ding.”
    “Si Darna ay isang local heroine na [nilikha] ni Mars Ravelo babaeng matapang at handang
    ipagtanggol ang sinumang nangangailangan. I’m lucky enough na makagawa ng apat na ‘Darna’ [na
    pelikula],” Santos said.

    Wearing red, Darna’s signature color, Santos spoke of the enduring relevance of the character and
    what she continues to symbolize.

    “‘Yung pagiging Darna, relevant ‘yan, e, lalo na ngayon na napupuno tayo ng challenges sa buhay.
    ‘Yung character niya ay nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga tao, [and] faith that everybody can be
    Darna. As long as you’re willing to help other people, you’re considered a hero,” she said.

    Santos’ statement reflects the ongoing campaign of the series, “Ikaw, Ako, Tayong Lahat si Darna,”
    depicted as a sprawling mural with everyday Filipinos shown to have Darna’s winged emblem on
    their forehead.

    In her message, Santos addressed de Leon, first by pointing out that the role of Darna is coveted as
    much as it bears responsibility. She then reminded the actress to use her reach to inspire hope in
    others, and to be a good example.

    “Maraming nagaasam na maging Darna. Icon na ‘yung character. Malaking malaking karangalan
    ‘yan para sa isang artista na tulad ko na makaganap bilang isang Darna.

    “Ngayon, Jane, na ikaw ang napiling Darna, bigyan mo sila ng inspirasyon na meron pa ring
    pagmamahal, meron pa ring tiwala, at meron pa ring pagasa. Ang daming humawak ng batong
    ‘yan.

    “Ngayon, Jane, na sa ‘yo ang bato. Pangalagan mo iyang mabuti. Maging ehemplo ka ng henerasyon
    ngayon. I wish you all good luck. Nandito lang ako to support you,” Santos said.

    Santos ended her message by urging fans to rally behind de Leon as Darna.

    “Ako po si Ate Vi, ang Darna ng mga nakaraang henerasyon. At ngayon po, inaanyayahan ko kayong
    suportahan ang Darna ng bago nating henerasyon, si Jane de Leon,” she said.

    De Leon was visibly surprised by Santos’ recorded message, and initially only had a few words when
    asked for her reaction. “Ang aga!” she quipped, apparently referring to turning emotional.

    “Maraming, maraming salamat po sa lahat ng mga nagtitiwala,” she said. “Actually, hindi ko ini
    expect na meron akong message from Tita Vilma Santos. Gagawin ko ang best ko para sa inyong
    lahat. Maraming, maraming salamat po.”

    “Ang aga! Hindi ko inexpect,” de Leon added.

    Prior to Santos, other past “Darna” actresses who have expressed support for de Leon include Angel
    Locsin, Regine Velasquez, and Rio Locsin, who is also a cast member of the series.
    Helmed by acclaimed filmmaker Chito S. Roño with Avel Sunpongco and Benedict Mique, “Mars
    Ravelo’s Darna” is finally set to premiere on August 15 on Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya
    Online Live, and iWantTFC

    Share

    New Posts Recently publish post More

    • 21 March 2024
      1 week ago No comment

      Canada eyes space cooperation with Philippines

      The Philippines held its first space cooperation conference on March 19, 2024 as the country seeks to explore opportunities presented by the heavens. The conference was organized by the Stratbase Albert del Rosario Institute for Strategic and International Studies, a Metro Manila-based think-tank; the fledgling Philippine Space Agency; and ...

    • 14 March 2024
      2 weeks ago No comment

      Mable endorses campaign for Benson Flores marker

      Mable Elmore is supporting the campaign to raise funds for a memorial marker for pioneer immigrant Benson Flores. Elmore is the Member of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia for Vancouver-Kensington, which is also home to Mountain View Cemetery where Flores is buried in an unmarked grave. MLA Elmore ...

    • 07 March 2024
      3 weeks ago No comment

      Quiboloy church linked to fake marriages in Canada

      Some 100 allegedly fraudulent marriages in Canada are connected to the religious group led by the spiritual adviser of now former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte. This stunning allegation was made on March 5, 2024 by Dindo Maquiling, a former follower of Apollo Quiboloy. Maquiling is a former executive director ...

    • 07 March 2024
      3 weeks ago No comment

      MP Valdez Visits Vancouver

      Liberal MP Rechie Valdez visited Vancouver to meet with BC Business owners at the Dubai National Air Travel Agency (DNATA) Catering in Richmond recently. The meet and greet was an opportunity for local businesses to dialogue directly with Valdez whose portfolio includes small businesses. The roundtable discussion was led ...

    • 29 February 2024
      4 weeks ago No comment

      Minimum wage increases to $17.40 an hour on June 1 VICTORIA

      For Immediate Release Feb. 26, 2024 VICTORIA – B.C.’s lowest-paid workers will get a pay raise when the general minimum wage increases from $16.75 to $17.40 per hour on June 1, 2024. This represents a 3.9% increase, consistent with B.C.’s average rate of inflation in 2023. The alternate minimum ...

    %d bloggers like this: