“Darna” Cast, Creatives Look Back On Their Experiences Working On The Series | ABS-CBN

ADVERTISEMENT

dpo-dps-seal
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!

“Darna” Cast, Creatives Look Back On Their Experiences Working On The Series

“Darna” Cast, Creatives Look Back On Their Experiences Working On The Series

Janelle Paraiso

 | 

Updated Jan 31, 2023 09:14 PM PHT

Clipboard

As Mars Ravelo’s Darna on ABS-CBN is nearing its last two weeks, the cast members and creatives of the comics-based television series hark back to their individual and collective experiences that made the show’s almost half-year run all worthwhile.


In its “Super Mediacon” press conference on January 30, the directors and some actors of the superhero drama shared to the public their thoughts on their characters, castmates, and the production.





Top-billed by breakthrough actress Jane de Leon, the modern-day paper-to-screen adaptation of Darna tells the story of a young woman named Narda, to whom a powerful, mystical stone is bequeathed. Upon ingesting the stone and shouting “Darna,” she then transforms to an otherworldly being dressed in a red and gold superhero suit, accessorized with superhuman powers.





Jane de Leon’s iconic portrayal of the legendary heroine is not as simple as an old lore tucked in the pages of a comic book. It is also a revival of a physically and morally strong, compassionate, and justice-seeking female figure to which viewers of all age groups—men and women alike—can identify with. In fact, as one of the show’s directors and a women empowerment advocate, Avel Sunpongco, puts it:

ADVERTISEMENT


Mayro’n tayong mga nanay na habang ang mga tatay natin ay busy sa pagtatrabaho, ang nanay natin ang nagbibigay sa’tin ng enlightenment, ng guidance. So, ito ’yung panahon para suklian natin ’yung kabutihan at magandang example ng mga nanay natin.






Backing his statement, fellow director Darnel Villaflor states: “I have two kids—parehong babaena nanonood talaga ng Darna. Maganda ’yung binibigay nitong learnings sa kanila bilang mga babae. ’Yung women empowerment na tinuturo ng Darna, nandu’n talaga, kaya sobra kong proud na napasama ko sa programang ito.


Directed by veteran director and filmmaker Chito S. Roño with Avel Sunpongco, Benedict Mique, and Darnel Villaflor, Darna is produced by ABS-CBN’s JRB Creative Production unit. The television series is a coming-together of a new-generation yet talented ensemble including Jane de Leon, Janella Salvador, Joshua Garcia, and Zaijian Jaranilla.


To know more about the cast members’ and creatives’ thoughts on the show and their characters, browse through the gallery below:


“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show
“Darna” Cast and Creatives Shared What They Would Remember Most About Their Characters and the Show

Darnel Villaflor, Director - “‘Yung energy ng cast kasi, na-pi-pick up namin din ‘yon kasi very young, very youthful ‘yung buong cast at masaya silang lahat so nakikita rin ‘yon sa trabaho at sa mga pinagdadaanan namin sa show na ‘to.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Benedict Mique, Director - “For a filmmaker, ‘Darna’ was a playground na sobrang sarap maglaro. Minsan ka lang magkakaroon ng ganitong show na ibibigay sa‘yo ‘yung lahat ng resources to play with. As a filmmaker, it was an absolute playground, so ang sarap.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Avel Sunpongco, Director - “Siguro, ‘yung good vibe din nu’ng team, tapos ‘yung pagkakaintindihan lagi, especially pagdating sa planning, pagdating sa execution. So in a way, nagagawa namin nang maayos ‘yung mga trabaho namin.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

LA Santos as Richard - “To be honest, I really love what I’m doing po and I’m really happy na nakilala ko po silang lahat—sila Jea, sila Jane, everyone in the cast of Darna, ‘yung mga pogi kong direktor. Sobrang thankful ako sa kanila kasi lahat sila, gina-guide po ako. ‘Yun ‘yung sobrang nakatulong po sa‘kin bilang baguhan na actor pa lang po. I really needed the help and the guidance po kasi ako, personally, I really want to do my best and I really want to improve more pa po. Since this is just my second project po as an actor, I’m taking this as my learning phase po talaga.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Mutya Orquia as Patricia - “Feel ko po ‘yung babaunin ko is ‘yung pagiging matapang. Mostly po kasi ngayon ng nakikilala kong mga Gen Z talaga is matapang, malakas ‘yung loob, and parang halos walang kinatatakutan.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Richard Quan as General Borgo/Rex - I’m fortunate enough na I’m working with the very generous directors, tapos plus, napakahusay ng mga [co-actors ko]. I’m just reacting actually sa mga co-actors ko, especially Janella and Jane.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Zaijian Jaranilla as Ding - “Siguro po, medyo nahirapan lang ako du’n sa pag-transition nu’ng bata to awkward stage kasi ‘yun po ‘yung sinasabi nila, pero sobrang thankful ako sa ABS-CBN dahil binigyan nila ako ng mga opportunities para ipakita at i-showcase ‘yung talent ko sa iba. Happy din po ako dahil isa sa mga pinakagusto kong parte sa pagiging artista ay nakakatrabaho ako ng mga iba pang batikan na mga aktor. Ang dami kong natututunan sa kanila, tsaka ang sarap din sa feeling na ‘pag may mga bata na pumapasok ay kuya po ‘yung tingin sa‘kin.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Janella Salvador as Valentina/Regina - “You know, it was so unexpected na i-e-embrace ng LGBTQ community ‘yung character ko, but it’s such a wonderful surprise and I’m proud to represent this community. I really fell in love with the character. I love Regina and I think she’s one of the best characters I have ever portrayed in my lifetime.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube

Jane de Leon as Darna/Narda - “Si Darna sa puso ko ay my mom talaga, kasi maraming siyang mga sacrifices na ginawa for us and for my family, and nagpapasalamat ako kasi kung hindi dahil sa kanya, wala ako dito sa sitwasyon na ‘to.”ABS-CBN Entertainment on YouTube


Lead photos from ABS-CBN Entertainment's Official YouTube Channel

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

It looks like you’re using an ad blocker

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.

Our website is made possible by displaying online advertisements to our visitors. Please consider supporting us by disabling your ad blocker on our website.