Darna (1991 film)

Last updated

Darna
Directed by Joel Lamangan [1]
Screenplay byFrank G. Rivera
Story by
Based on Darna
by Mars Ravelo
Produced by
  • Vic del Rosario, Jr.
  • William Leary
Starring Nanette Medved
CinematographyRamon Marcelino
Edited byIke Jarlego Jr.
Music byWilly Cruz
Distributed by Viva Films [1]
Release date
  • December 25, 1991 (1991-12-25)
Running time
108 minutes
Country Philippines
Language Filipino

Darna is a 1991 Filipino superhero film based on the Philippine comic character Darna, directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Frank G. Rivera. It stars Nanette Medved, Nida Blanca, Edu Manzano, Pilar Pilapil, Tonton Gutierrez, Bing Loyzaga, Dennis Padilla, and Atong Redillas. The film's special effects were done by Rolly Sto. Domingo.[ citation needed ]

Contents

The film was released through Viva Films on December 25, 1991, as part of the 17th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Plot

In the early 1900s, explorer Dominico Lipolico encounters a sinister relic in the Amazon jungle that gives him immortality in exchange for fomenting evil. In the present day, Dominico, who poses as a philantropist, moves his operations to the Philippines to spread his deeds, recruiting fashion designer Valentina and a local admirer and giving them powers of a Gorgon and a winged "Manananggal", respectively. He also tries to recruit Darna, who is incarnated in a newspaper journalist named Narda. Valentina lures Darna at an event by releasing snakes to kill the audience, to which Darna comes to the rescue. Valentina's talking pet snake, Vibora discovers Darna's transformation into Narda, which enables Valentina to capture her. At Dominico's lair, Dominico forces Darna to join him by threatening her grandmother and siblings but is thwarted by her siblings rescuing Darna before she is fully transformed. Darna rescues Narda's newspaper companions George and Buster from an attack by the Manananggal, killing her by luring her to a church cross, while Valentina is accidentally killed during a fight with Darna when Vibora unwittingly gives a live grenade for Valentina to throw. Darna then confronts Dominico, who reveals himself as a Devil-incarnate who goes on a burning spree. He initially overpowers Darna, but is killed when she grabs the relic that he wears as a necklace and crushes it, resulting in the disintegration of Dominico and his minions.

Cast

Accolades

YearGroupCategoryNameResult
1991 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture DarnaWon (3rd Best Picture)
Best Supporting Actress Tetchie AgbayaniWon
Best Make-Up Cecille BaunNominated [4]
Best Visual Effects Carlos LacapNominated [4]

Related Research Articles

<i>Manananggal</i> Vampire-like creature from Philippine folklore

The manananggal is a mythical creature in the Philippines that separates from their lower part of its body and their fangs and wings give it a vampire-like appearance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darna</span> Fictional superhero

Darna is a Filipina superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character's first appearance was in Pilipino Komiks #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier character, Varga, whose stories he wrote and illustrated himself. This character first appeared in Bulaklak Magazine, Volume 4, #17 on July 23, 1947. Ravelo left the Bulaklak Magazine publications due to differences with the publication's editors. One of the most popular Filipino superheroes, Darna has appeared in many films and several television series through the decades which have far overshadowed her actual comics tenure.

Valentina is a supervillain created by Mars Ravelo and Nestor Redondo who first appeared in the second episode of the Darna series published in the Philippine comics Pilipino Komiks. One of the most recognizable supervillainess characters in the Philippines, she is the archenemy of Darna. She was originally a bitter, deformed woman born from ordinary human parents with venomous snakes on her head that appears to be like hair. When she grew up, she killed her parents and was subsequently taken in by a serpent creature named Kobra. Valentina was soon referred to as "goddess of the snakes".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vilma Santos-Recto</span> Filipino actress and politician

Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos-Recto is a Filipino actress, singer, dancer, TV host, producer, and politician. She served as a House Deputy Speaker from 2019 to 2022 and as the Representative of Batangas' 6th district from 2016 to 2022.

<i>Humanap Ka ng Panget</i> 1991 comedy film starring Jimmy Santos and Andrew E.

Humanap Ka ng Panget is a 1991 Filipino comedy film co-written and directed by Ben Feleo.It stars Jimmy Santos and Keempee de Leon, with rapper Andrew E. in his acting debut. It also stars Eddie Gutierrez, Carmi Martin, Gelli de Belen, Nanette Medved, Dennis Padilla, and Kate Gomez. Named after the pop rap song of the same name by Andrew E., the film was released by Viva Films on March 14, 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryza Cenon</span>

Rhiza Ann Cenon Simbulan, known professionally as Ryza Cenon, is a Filipino actress, dancer, model and painter. In 2004, she became the Ultimate Female Survivor of the second season of StarStruck of GMA Network. She appeared in several shows including Darna, Ay, Robot!, Majika, Fantastikids, Fantastic Man, Joaquin Bordado, Buena Familia, and Alyas Robin Hood.

<i>Marimar</i> (2007 TV series) Philippine television series

Marimar is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a 1994 Mexican television series of the same title. Directed by Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role and Dingdong Dantes. It premiered on August 13, 2007 on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on March 14, 2008 with a total of 155 episodes.

Gretchen Castelo Barretto is a Filipino actress, socialite, and philanthropist. She was launched in Regal Films' 14 Going on Steady as a singer-actress, with the release of her debut single "Going Steady", which served as the soundtrack single to her debut film. In the late eighties, Barretto rose to prominence after gaining success in skin flicks produced by Seiko Films like Tukso, Layuan Mo Ako!, Ang Bukas Ay Akin, Ama, Bakit Mo Ako Pinabayaan?, Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin and Bakit Ako Mahihiya?. She has released two studio albums under Star Records. Her debut album, Unexpected, was released in 2008, and her second album Complicated was released a year after. Her two younger sisters, Marjorie and Claudine, and niece Julia are also actresses. Since 2010, she is already a contract star of ABS-CBN.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Barbell</span> Fictional superhero

Captain Barbell is a Filipino superhero created by writer, Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez. His characteristics are similar to American fictional superheroes Superman, DC Comics' Captain Marvel, and Thor but Ravelo based his backstory on Captain America. He first appeared in Pinoy Komiks #1 on May 23, 1963. He also appeared in Kampeon Komiks.

<i>!Oka Tokat</i> Philippine paranormal horror drama

!Oka Tokat was a Philippine paranormal horror-action-thriller drama which originally aired on ABS-CBN from June 24, 1997 to May 7, 2002 every Tuesday night replacing Abangan ang Susunod na Kabanata. It starred Ricky Davao, Carmina Villaroel, Diether Ocampo, Jericho Rosales, Angelika Dela Cruz, Rica Peralejo, Paolo Contis, and Agot Isidro. Then later, Shaina Magdayao, Alwyn Uytingco, Joy Chiong, Jiro Manio and Emman Abeleda on its reformat of the series. Its title is the reverse spelling of the phrase Takot ako! ; hence, the exclamation point at the beginning. It was the longest-running horror-action-thriller series on Philippine television, every Tuesday nights right after the local drama TV series Esperanza.

Eduardo Antonio Winsett Gutierrez, Jr., professionally known as Tonton Gutierrez, is a Filipino film and television actor best known for his role as Governor Eduardo Buenavista in the original hit teleserye Pangako Sa 'Yo, it was topbilled by Kristine Hermosa, Jericho Rosales, Eula Valdez and Jean Garcia.

<i>Ang Tanging Ina Mo</i> (Last na To!) 2010 film by Wenn V. Deramas

Ang Tanging Ina Mo ' is a 2010 Filipino dramedy film starring Ai-Ai delas Alas, Eugene Domingo, and certain others. An official entry for the 2010 Metro Manila Film Festival, it was supposed to be the last film of Ang Tanging Ina film series; however, a crossover sequel between Enteng Kabisote and Ang Tanging Ina entitled Enteng Ng Ina Mo co-starring Ai-Ai de las Alas and Vic Sotto were released. It was a co-production between APT Entertainment, M-ZET Productions, OctoArts Films and Star Cinema.

Forever is a 1994 Philippine romantic drama film directed by Rowell Santiago. The film stars Aga Muhlach and Mikee Cojuangco, the latter on her theatrical debut.

<i>Sa Kabila ng Lahat</i> 1991 Filipino film directed by Lino Brocka

Sa Kabila ng Lahat(lit.'In Spite of Everything') is a 1991 Philippine political drama film directed by Lino Brocka. It stars Dina Bonnevie and Tonton Gutierrez. This is the last film made by Brocka before he was killed in a car accident.

<i>Pangako sa Yo</i> (2015 TV series) Filipino TV series or program

Pangako Sa 'Yo is a 2015 Philippine drama television series based on 2000 prime time series of the same name. It is topbilled by Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Jodi Sta. Maria, Angelica Panganiban, and Ian Veneracion. The series aired on ABS-CBN's "Primetime Bida" evening block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from May 25, 2015 to February 12, 2016, replacing Forevermore.

<i>Darna</i> (2022 TV series) 2022 Philippine superhero television series

Mars Ravelo's Darna is a Philippine superhero series airing on Kapamilya Channel. The series is based on Mars Ravelo's Philippine fictional character of the same name. Directed by Chito S. Roño, Avel Sunpongco and Benedict Mique, it stars Jane De Leon in the titular role. The series premiered on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block, A2Z, TV5's Todo Max Primetime Singko, and worldwide on The Filipino Channel on August 15, 2022, replacing FPJ's Ang Probinsyano.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Narda Custodio</span> Fictional character in Mars Ravelos Darna

Narda Custodio, commonly known as "Narda" is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Jane de Leon in ABS-CBN's modern take of Darna, a concept created by Mars Ravelo. The character "Narda" first appeared on Pilipino Komiks No. 77 in May 13, 1950. Narda is depicted as a Filipina who is being prepared to be the successor of the Prime Darna, her mother Leonor Custodio/Zora played by Iza Calzado, as the next defender of the white mythical stone.

Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik, or simply Darna! Ang Pagbabalik, is a 1994 Filipino superhero film based on the Pilipino Komiks character Darna. Directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes from a screenplay by playwright Floy Quintos, it stars Anjanette Abayari as Narda / Darna, alongside Edu Manzano, BB Gandanghari, Bong Alvarez, Pilita Corrales, Cherie Gil and Lester Llansang. Produced by Viva Family Entertainment, the film was released in June 1994.

References

  1. 1 2 Mata, Elvira (December 27, 1991). "Filmfest tips, forecasts and reviews". Manila Standard. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  2. "Former 'Darna' Nanette Medved-Po donates classrooms to Marawi children". RAPPLER. June 14, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  3. Legaspi, John (November 19, 2021). "Valentina: Her many faces and origin stories". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
  4. 1 2 "Metro filmfest reels off today". Manila Standard. December 25, 1991. Retrieved March 10, 2022.