Kamandag

Kamandag

Carlo J. Caparas's Kamandag
Created by Carlo J. Caparas
Directed by Mark A. Reyes
Topel Lee
Starring Richard Gutierrez
Mark Anthony Fernandez
Maxene Magalona
Jewel Mische
Theme music composer Eric Torralba
Opening theme "Kamandag"
sung by First Circle
Country of origin Philippines
Original language(s) Filipino, Tagalog, English
No. of episodes 113 + 1 special
Production
Executive producer(s) Carol Reyes
Angie Castrence
Producer(s) GMA Entertainment TV Group
Running time 30-45 minutes
Release
Original network GMA Network
Picture format 480i SDTV
Original release November 19, 2007 – April 25, 2008
External links
Website

Kamandag or Venom (International title) is a fantasy Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from November 19, 2007 to April 25, 2008.[1] Based from the graphic novel of Carlo J. Caparas, it starred Richard Gutierrez.[2]

Origin

Based on the 1980s graphic novels of novelist Carlo J. Caparas, Kamandag is a half-snake and half-human creature with has the same temper as 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's failure to offer her a follow up project after Maria Flordeluna.[3]

This is also a come-back for veteran actor Johnny Delgado who moved to the rival network for a some 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 in 2004. Senator Bong Revilla, Jr. was offered the role of Haring Saban, a 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.

Training

For his preparation for the series, lead actor Richard Gutierrez trained under UFC star Brandon Vera to master the arts of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jujitsu.[4]

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.[5]

Reaction

The series earned positive reviews from the viewers taking in 42.7% rating on its pilot episode on November 19.[6]

On February 26, the series reached its peak 43.6%, placing second to MariMar (Philippine TV series)'s 47.8%.[7] It achieved the same rating on March 7.[8]

The special premiere of the series titled "Ang Bagsik ni Kamandag" garnered a very high 29.0% rating for its non-primetime time-slot.[9]

Synopsis

Kamandag is a story about a creature that is half snake and half human. Kamandag begins deep down in a cave called the Ambograw, a place where

Vergel transforming into Kamandag

different sorts of half human and half creature beings called Ambogs live. Its kingdom has six tribes: Hasbaya, snake tribe ruled by Haring Saban (Gardo Versoza); Lobobaya, wolf tribe ruled by Haring Gulag (Zoren Legaspi); Pusbaya, cat tribe ruled by Reyna Kuran (Francine Prieto); Goybaya, monkey tribe ruled by Haring Dinggol (Benjie Paras); Orobaya, bull tribe ruled by Haring Budol (played by Johnny Delgado) and Rapaya, a long lost reptile tribe ruled by Reyna Ragona (Sunshine Dizon).

Haring Saban, who is the King of the half human and half snake people (Hasbaya Tribe) and his regular human wife Alicia (Eula Valdez) (the regular humans in the Ambograw are supposed to be caught and turned into slaves, although Saban fell in love with Alicia) and they had a baby. The baby was destined to be killed because he looked like a regular human instead of an Ambog. Haring Gulag, Saban's enemy and King of Lobobaya Tribe, invited Saban to a battle between the two for the ruler of all Ambograw, but Reyna Kuran, queen of Pusbaya Tribe, interfered and set them on fire. Saban died later. Meanwhile, Ikoy (Rainier Castillo) and his sister brought the baby into the human world for his safety.

Domeng (Emilio Garcia) and Elena (Melissa Mendez) found a baby and named him Vergel (Richard Gutierrez). Vergel later discovers his snake powers and his destiny to be a hero. Vergel names himself Kamandag, the savior of all beings. Haring Budol gives Vergel a mysterious bracelet, which was left by his father Haring Saban. His bracelet makes Vergel transform into his armor. His mission is to bring down all kinds of evil, like his enemies Gulag, Kuran and especially Talim.

Lucero (Mark Anthony Fernandez), Vergel's close friend and later enemy, becomes another half-snake half-human and becomes Kamandag's mortal enemy, who names himself as Talim. Kamandag and Talim fights for their love and glory.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Valdez portrays Alicia.

Supporting cast

Production crew

Soundtrack

The series has three official theme songs, all sung by different recording artists.

See also

References

External links

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