The Actresses Who Took On The Role of Darna’s Ultimate Rival, Valentina
Darna's ultimate nemesis, Valentina, was brought to life by numerous artists in film and television. Here's a look back on the actresses who channeled the iconic supervillain
While everybody is excited for Darna (to be played by Jane de Leon), it is a waste to let a quintessential snake queen loose without her wonders being recognized at best. The superheroine’s archnemesis, as seen on both big and small screens, have fascinated audiences as she feuded with Narda and Darna in various forms and versions throughout the history of television and cinema. An iconic character who also has a right to the spotlight like her superhero rival, Valentina is not our ordinary villain.
To commemorate the legendary comic book role and while we wait for the premiere of the ABS-CBN TV series Darna, we've compiled a list of stars who portrayed the unforgettable role, with Janella Salvador being the latest to breathe life into this serpentine supervillain.
Here are 10 actresses who took on the venomous Valentina and slithered on screen as the iconic supervillain. Hiss!
Check out the gallery below:
Photo Gallery
Photo Gallery
Cristina Aragon (1951)
In 1951, the very first Valentina villain was showcased on the silver screen through actress Cristina Aragon. She was cast alongside Rosa Del Rosario, who then embodied the titular character.
Photo Credit: Mars Ravelo’s Darna the Superheroine Facebook Page
Celia Rodriguez (1973)
Considered by many fans as the best depiction of Valentina, Celia Rodriguez’s portrayal in the 1973 big screen blockbuster "Lipad, Darna, Lipad!" is a path that her successors have strived to follow. In the movie, she gave life to a Reptilian Zoology graduate and is a flawless match to Vilma Santos.
Photo Credit: Mars Ravelo's Darna Chronicles | Felix Mariano Fausto Jr FB
Melissa Perez Rubio (1989)
Melissa Perez Rubio’s Valentina is likened to the mythological winged monster Medusa, as she wields the power of turning people into stones. Interestingly, in this 1989 film "Valentina," the focus is on the life of a woman who hides a swarm of snakes on her head.
Photo Credit: IMDb
Pilar Pilapil (1991)
In the 1991 rendition of Darna where Nanette Medved is the leading lady, Valentina’s role is illustrated as a fashion icon who donned fashion-forward dresses and colored clothes. Pilar Pilapil’s take on the character is traditional but with an interesting twist to her identity.
Photo Credit: Viva Film's Darna 1991
Pilita Corrales (1994)
Seasoned actress and singer Pilita Corrales personified Valentina in the past in 1994’s "Darna: Ang Pagbabalik," which starred sexy star Anjanette Abayari as Darna. Also with Pilita was actress and veteran film villain Cherie Gil, who depicted Valentina’s daughter, Valentine.
Photo Credit: Darna Ang Pagbabalik | @pilitacorrales
Alessandra De Rossi (2005)
Darna’s archnemesis Valentina first appeared on television through versatile actress Alessandra De Rossi’s version. Here, she harnesses the superpower of shapeshifting. She served as the serpentine antagonist to Angel Locsin’s alter-figure Narda and superhero form Darna. In the series, the two started out as cousins, but the truth cracked and it turns out that they are twins.
Photo Credit: @msderossi
Jodi Sta. Maria (2006)
Another strain of Valentina is symbolized by actress Jodi Sta. Maria in the fantasy fiction "Komiks Presents: Valentina." She embodied a good Valentina in the episode of the comics compilation series, which follows the story of a woman who weathered many storms in life. She is marked by her snake-laden head as usual, and her hereditary ability to snake-speak with the animal and control and command them.
Photo Credit: @rbchanco
Iwa Moto (2009)
In another small screen adaptation of Darna, Iwa Moto fared as Narda’s (portrayed by Marian Rivera) childhood friend but turned out to be Darna’s traditional aggressor as an adult. In this TV series, some of her superpowers are hinged on self-healing, superhuman strength, and manipulation of poisonous material. She is notoriously named as the “Babaeng Ahas.”
Photo Credit: @iam_iwa
Melissa Ricks (2010)
In the fantasy anthology "Wansapanataym," another familiar face portrayed the persona of a friendly and good-natured Valentina. Melissa Ricks, who graced the screen to retell the story of a cursed lady. As a child, her existence was sustained in secret, but was eventually outed as she grew older.
Photo Credit: Dreamscape Entertainment
Janella Salvador (2022)
As the previous Valentina players shed their skin to make room for a modern one, Janella Salvador snagged the opportunity of being the next snake goddess. Blessed is the new human snake as she takes on the time-appropriate character of Attorney Regina Vanguardia. The vlogger version of Valentina, she is set to stylize the supervillain in this modern age’s television adaptation of Darna.
Photo Credit: @superjanella | ABS-CBN Entertainment
BONUS: Cherie Gil as Valentine (1994)
While our well-loved supervillain lady aka "La Primera Contravida" was not tapped to portray the timeless role of Darna’s lifetime rival Valentina, Cherie Gil was named as Valentine in the 1994 movie "Darna: Ang Pagbabalik." She had a semblance to her mother Valentina (portrayed by Pilita Corrales), as they both had serpents on their head.
Photo Credit: Mars Ravelo's Darna website
Lead photos from @superjanella, Mars Ravelo's Darna Chronicles, and Pexels
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