Like it or not, Metro Manilans are still hooked on Darna, the original Mars Ravelo comics super heroine that has been brought to the screen (both big and small) a dozen times. And the recent incarnation of the character—the Filipino equivalent of Superwoman and Wonder Woman—has been rating highly in Mega Manila.
Based on data from AGB Nielsen Philippines, Darna posted an average household rating of 35.1 percent from Sept. 1 to Oct. 16 in Mega Manila while its competition logged an average of 26.9 percent for the same period.
So, why do Metro Manilans still love Darna, despite its repetitive quality as an onscreen material?
GMA-7 says it’s the Marian Rivera factor. Perhaps because she is the newest to play the comic book heroine.
The fact that movies have become expensive as an entertainment medium, and Metro Manilans are known to be among the world’s movie addicts, also contributes to the high ratings of the series, which may never be seen on the big screen again.
In the new re-imagining of the comic book serial, Darna has overpowered the supervillains who wrought havoc in the fictional town where Narda and her family live. These are Babaeng Impakta (Nadine Samonte), Babaeng Lawin (Ehra Madrigal) and Babaeng Tuod (Francine Prieto).
It can be recalled that Darna was about to kill the evil Impi (Mura) when the latter’s twin sister Roma a.k.a. Babaeng Impakta jumped from the church tower to end her life. Roma’s body was buried but Impi’s was seized by Dr. Morgan (Ricky Davao) for experimentation.
Then, Armida a.k.a Babaeng Lawin arrived and attacked people. She wanted to get even with her brother, Father Mateo (Eddie Garcia), the town’s parish priest. During her fight with Darna, Babaeng Lawin accidentally hit herself with her own feather blades. But instead of expressing gratitude for once again saving the town, Darna was condemned by Father Mateo and his supporters for killing Babaeng Lawin. This caused the young super heroine to feel reluctant in her mission to save the world.
But when Babaeng Tuod (Francine Prieto) came in to sow terror and asked for Darna, Narda decided to save the world again. To destroy the giant driftwood, Darna set Babaeng Tuod on fire and threw her into the mouth of a volcano.
Unknown to Darna, Babaeng Tuod did not die, but rather changed to human form named Lucifera. She went to the orphanage where Narda lives. Impi, meanwhile, managed to escape the laboratory and went back to the orphanage to kill Narda.
In the coming episodes, Darna will be facing Kobra (Paolo Contis) and his evil children—Valentina (Iwa Moto), Serpentina (Sabrina Man) and Zandro (also played by Paolo Contis).
Sarah’s concert outfits bared
Sarah Geronimo will wear four different outfits in her new concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Nov. 7. The concert is titled Record Breaker, to emphasize how big a star she has become.
In the opening number, she will wear a creation by Dennis Lustico, a green Avengers/Dominatrix-inspired jumpsuit with beaded details worn with thigh-high boots by Guiseppi Zanotti.
Her second outfit is the product of Rhett Eala’s wild imagination. The third is by Rajo Laurel, A Sergeant Pepper-inspired gold brocade jacket with passenmenterie details. Inner outfit is a gold mesh draped dress.
The fourth and last outfit is by Cary Santiago, a Swan Lake-inspired tulle outfit in black and white with quilted details.
Vic del Rosario has found a gold mine in Sarah… and insiders say she’s still good for another two years… that is if someone with a better voice and drop-dead charisma comes along. In the meantime, it’s Sarah. No wonder, some people in other networks are just dying to have her and why not?
Poker players unable to finish challenge
Professional poker players Maria Ho (no relation to Dennis Ho aka Dennis Trillo) and Tiffany Michelle, both from California, failed to finish either the Farmer’s Dance and Farmer’s Game in a suburban town in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and finally gave up. They were overtaken by the couple Brian and Ericka who failed to follow the instructions in the clue and incurred a half-hour penalty at the pit stop. Luckily, the poker players were hopeless and couldn’t finish the challenge.
Two Mondays ago (Sunday in the US) Mika and Canaan were way ahead of the Harlem Globetrotters until they reached the Atlantis Aquaventure Park, where they had a problem doing the Leap of Faith. Each member had to take the 200 feet high water slide, pass through a tunnel beneath a lagoon of sharks, and then find their next clue. Canaan tried to convince Mika to overcome her fear of water and heights and at one point, he even tried to force her to take the slide but without success. The Globetrotters eventually caught up with them. Mika and Canaan did not complete the task, went to the pit stop, and got eliminated.
Five teams continue the race around the world in hope of winning the $1-million jackpot prize. Who will be eliminated next? Find out in the next live telecast of The Amazing Race 15 on Monday at 8 a.m. with primetime telecast every Thursday at 8 p.m.
Cathy out, Kattlin in
Straight from Big Brother Finland, sexy Estonian-born Kattlin Laas joined last Saturday the Pinoy Big Brother housemates for the Big Swap.
Despite weather forecasts on typhoon Santi, Big Brother pushed through with one of the biggest twists of the season where a housemate from Finland has traded places with a local housemate, Cathy Remperas, the Charming Babe of Bohol.
The 22-year-old Finnish admitted to the Finnish Big Brother that she is not fluent in English. A food processing worker, Kattlin describes herself as a positive and cheerful person. Her weakness, meanwhile, is her short temper. She hates people with oversized ego, people who lie as well as people-pleasers.
Will Kattlin be able to relate to the Pinoy housemates? Will she be able to adjust to the culture and language? What foreign traits and culture will she introduce to the housemates and the Filipino audience?
Find out how Cathy will do in Finland by following Big Brother’s secretary on Twitter. Just search PBBSecretary and click follow.
Leak is no more than a forecast
GMA Network’s News and Public Affairs (N&PA) department and the management of Survivor Philippines: Palau assure the public that the succeeding episodes of the hit reality show remain confidential and leakage-proof.
This is in connection with the hearsays and rumours that female Castaway—Jef Gaitan—would be the Sole Survivor of Survivor Philippines: Palau.
The rumor, apparently, has been picked up by the tabloids. GMA-7 says these are mere “predictions which are unofficial and devoid of truth.”
The network though says that if ever Gaitan would be proclaimed as JC Tiuseco’s successor and be the first Pinay Sole Survivor, she can rightly merit the title for her subtle, uncanny style of playing the game.
Still, up to this time until the show’s final airing, no credible source can be quoted for the results of SP: Palau. The outcome is held in strictest confidentiality, and will only be disclosed at the appointed time.
The official tally of votes and announcement of winner shall be held on SP: Palau’s finale episode which will go live on Nov. 13.
Wow Philippines at Intramuros
The Department of Tourism through its National Capital Region is showcasing “Distinctly Metropolitan Manila 2009,” in Intramuros’ History Town at Clamshell I on Nov. 5 to 26.
The event originally scheduled on Sept. 30 to Oct. 23 was moved to Nov. 5 to 26 due to storm Ondoy, which severely hit Metro Manila.
The exhibit is part of the DoT-NCR’s effort to expand the promotional campaign of attracting foreign and local visitors to come and discover Metropolitan Manila.
Highlights of the event are cultural presentations featuring choir groups and municipal bands, street dancing and product demos. Local government and private establishments in these areas have committed their support in creating the most authentic booth designs depicting their properties and products, to make sure the showcase represents the best of the region.
The staging of this event has consistently pushed for the development of new attractions and products such as medical, health and wellness tourism. It is also a venue to reflect the synergy and continuing institutional development efforts of LGUs, private sector and community.
Metropolitan Manila’s officials are confident that the event would make the viewers more aware of NCR’s rich culture through its people, dances, cuisine, arts, music and festivals.
