DARNA : the highest rating program of all time
Darna is a 2005 drama fantasy action television series based on the Mars Ravelo’s fictional character of the same name that airs on Philippine television on GMA Network. It stars Angel Locsin as Darna, Alessandra de Rossi as Valentina and Celia Rodriguez as Braguda, the main villain. It premiered in Filipino homes on April 11, 2005 and ended on November 25, 2005. In 2004, executives of GMA Network and Hugo Yonzon, current license holder of Darna and head of Mango Comics, signed a licensing agreement for a new Darna television series. It premiered in Filipino homes on April 11, 2005 and garnered a 47.1% rating according to AGB, making it one of the highest rated pilot episode ever in Philippine television. During the fourth episode, it garnered 52.1% overnight ratings from AGB, the highest rating yet for the show because this was the episode that Narda transforms into Darna for the first time. Filipino actress Angel Locsin starred as Darna. The television series ended Friday, November 25, 2005. A lot of changes and new material were added for this incarnation of Darna. The show follows the original with Narda finding the stone as a child, but she only becomes Darna and discovers her powers at age eighteen. It follows the 2003 comics in making Darna part of an alien race (the Adranika of Marte) who fought another alien race of serpent people (called the Anomalka). However, many new allies and enemies were invented for the show, as well as more backstory. Notably, Narda and the (half-Anomalkan, half-human) Valentina are half-sisters the powerhouse cast lead my the famous ANGEL LOCSIN and ALESSANDRA DE ROSSIE
[edit] Series’ milestones
Image:Darna20052.JPGBeing the first primetime series to reach a 47.1% rating (according to AGB and AC-Nielsen) in its pilot episode, the highest rating for a pilot episode in the Philippine television history, beating Pangako Sa’yo with its 46.5%. Similarly, Darna: Ang Muling Paglilipad (The Making of Darna), shown on March 31, 2005, remains the first soap primer to reach the highest rating of 43.8% (Thursday) on its first part and 41.2% (Friday).
Gaining a 52.1% rating on its 4th episode, the highest rating achieved by a show on GMA-7. It is because of the first appearance of Darna from Narda.
Its pilot week average is 50.08%.
47.1 (Monday)
50.3 (Tuesday)
49.4 (Wednesday)
52.1 (Thursday)
51.5 (Friday)
Its highest rating was 52.1% while the lowest was 33.3%. The overall ratings was 39.9%
The death of Ding, Narda’s brother. In most Darna movies, Ding plays as Darna’s sidekick but in the TV adaptation, Ding died.
The TV series is the first live-action Darna that utilizes the original Mars Ravelo concept of Darna being from the planet Marte. Previous features had always injected a religious touch by having Darna’s power come from God or through an angel. The TV show is faithful to the comicbooks (both the original Ravelo comic strip from the 1950s as well as the 3-issue “Modern Age” comics mini-series produced by Mango Comics).
The introduction of the Wonderkids, Darna’s sidekicks, composed of her stepbrother Iking and an extraordinary girl named Lenlen. They help Darna in maintaining peace through the land. However, in the middle of the series, Lenlen died.
The introduction of the polar opposite of Darna. Never before in comics, movie or television has there been a “Black Darna” (in the same sense as black magic) making it a major development in the series. Katrina Halili is the first-ever to portray such a role.
Another of Mars Ravelo’s creations, Dyesebel the mermaid, made a guest appearance in the series for the very first time. She played an important role in helping Narda continue her battle against evil forces. Ara Mina played Dyesebel. Alice Dixson (who has played Dyesebel in film) played the mermaids’ leader Dyangga. Rochelle Pangilinan also plays a mermaid Corella, Dyesebel’s best friend.
Captain Barbell, another Mars Ravelo creation, appeared in the final episode but his face was not shown, probably to excite viewers since Captain Barbell is said to be GMA Network’s next project.
