Filipino actors Richard Gutierrez and Maxene Magalona of GMA7's Kamandag are at the top of TV ratings on Philippine TV right now, and recently joined their fans for an online chat.
Kamandag (lit. Venom) is a fantasy Philippine drama airing on GMA Network. Based from the graphic novel of Carlo J. Caparas, it stars Richard Gutierrez[1], and started airing on November 19.[2]
The series is set to be the most expensive Philippine drama, rivaling the 140 million budget of Asian Treasures and the 100 million of Rounin.[3]
Origin
Based on the 1980s graphic novels of novelist Carlo J. Caparas, Kamandag is a half-snake and half-human creature, and has the same temper of The Hulk. The character is known to be an anti-hero.
Pre-production
Casting
The first Philippine drama of Eula Valdez under the GMA Network wing after ABS-CBN refused to offer her a follow up project after Maria Flordeluna.[4]
This is also a come-back for veteran actor Johnny Delgado who moved the rival network for a some period of time. And also for young actress Maxene Magalona who took a break from acting after turning down the role of Alwina in the hit series Mulawin, which eventually made Angel Locsin a big-star, to focus on her studies back in 2004.
Senator Bong Revilla, Jr. was offered the role of the Snake King, but couldn't take it because of his busy schedule with politics and his sci-fi film Resiklo. The role then went to Gardo Versoza.
This is the first primetime series Jewel Mische will appear in as a Leading Lady. As Director and Casting Director Topel Lee and lead actor himself, Richard Gutierrez, picked her as one of Richard Gutierrez's leading ladies in this attention grabbing primetime show.
Training
For his preparation for the series, lead actor Richard Gutierrez trained under UFC star Brandon Vera to master the art of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.[5]
The majority of the cast plays half-human and half-animal, they all had to undergo acting workshops at University of the East to achieve an animal portrayal.[6]
Reaction
The series earned positive reviews from the viewers taking in 42.7% rating on its pilot episode on November 19.[7]
Also, the special primer of the series titled "Ang Bagsik ni Kamandag" garnered a very high 29.0% rating for its non-primetime time-slot.[8]
Plot
Kamandag is a tale of a half-human, half-snake creature who is forced to live in the mortal world because of the conflict he brings in his birthplace. With his snake-like powers, he becomes a sort of hero in his town and the people begin calling him Kamandag.[9]
Cast and characters
Main Cast
- Richard Gutierrez as Vergel
- Mark Anthony Fernandez as Lucero
- Maxene Magalona[10] as Lily
- Jewel Mische as Jenny
- Ehra Madrigal as Ditas
- Johnny Delgado as King Budog
- Ronaldo Valdez as Lolo Pepe
- Zoren Legaspi as King Gulag
- Ariel Rivera as Abdon Serrano
- Benjie Paras as King Dinggol
- Eula Valdez[11] as Alicia
- Francine Prieto as Queen Kuran[12]
Richard Gutierrez in Cosmopolitan.
Richard Gutierrez backstage at the Bench Fashion Show with Kristine Hermosa, Diether Ocampo, Richard Gomez, and twin brother Raymond in the background.
Filipina actress Francine Prieto - free wallpapers.
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