December, 2009
(Marian Rivera as DARNA)
DARNA introduces a new cast of supervillains in the second season, including DEBORAH-The Manananggal, The Vampire VLADIMIR, The Demoness HELGA, and the Princess of Snakes, SERPINA (Daughter of Kobra & Roma - Babaeng Impakta).
After airing on weekdays for 17 weeks, what was supposed to have been one season of DARNA has been extended to a second season. Broadcast on GMA Channel 7 in the Philippines, DARNA is also broadcast globally on the Cable Channel- GMA PINOY TV (http://www.gmapinoytv.com) Available through COMCAST and DIRECT TV.
The First season dealt with the passing of the magic white stone to a new host - Narda Arcangel by the original Golden Age DARNA who was now the Spirit Guardian of this talisman. But unlike her predecessor, Narda Arcangel faced greater challenges because 4 of Darna' greatest adversaries managed to find a way to steal the magic stone's various powers for Darna.
After acquiring the power of Superhuman strength alone when she first transformed, the New Darna was tasked by her spirit guardian to reclaim the various powers that were rightfully hers. Slowly but surely, she reclaimed them one at a time as she vanquished each of her foes. She reclaimed her power of Flight from Roma-Babaeng Impakta, The Power of Invulnerability from Lucifera-Babaeng Tuod, and the power of Superhuman Speed from Armida- Babaeng Lawin. Her final challenge was to face the Leech-Woman named Lutgarda- Babaeng Linta who not only could assume the physical likeness of anyone and drain life-forces but managed to mimic all of Darna's powers.
It seemed that peace finally reigned over the town of San Martin after the Leech-Woman's defeat. But new menaces have arrived that will challenge the power of Darna. They are:
Dr. Deborah- The Manananggal (played by actress Rochelle Pangilinan) A human monster from Philippine folklore that flies at night by its bat-like wings in search of human prey with only half of its body.
The Vampire Vladimir- (played by Akihiro Sato)- A foreign traveller who mysteriously appears in San Martin whose charming personality and charisma
hides his true self- a vicious and ruthless Vampire.
Helga- Babaeng Demonyita (played by Jackie Rice) little is known of Helga as of this writing. Only that she is possessed a by a powerful Archdemon whose only goal is destruction and the the ruin of souls.
Serpina-The Princess of Serpents (played by Katrina Halili)is the daughter of Roma (whose conjoined parasitic demon twin continues to menace San Martin) and the King of the Snake people -KOBRA. Although not a Gorgon like her half-sister Valentina, she is has deadly shape-shifting powers whose limits are yet to be reached.
Reyna Elektra (played by Regine Velasquez)- although not truly Evil, Elektra and her army of 'Planet Women' come from a dying planet that desperately needs water and other resources. Faced with extinction, she will come face to face with Earth's defender, Darna whose powers are dwarfed by her own. Will a compromise be found? Or will Darna be faced against an enemy far more powerful than her?
Find out by tuning into Mars Ravelo's DARNA - Weekdays on GMA- Channel-7 in the Philippines, and Globally on the Cable Channel- GMA PINOY TV. Check out the Programming guide for the territory you are in on GMAPINOYTV.COM
Credits:
Article written by Raffy Arcega
Mars Ravelo's DARNA and DEBORAH-Manananggal are
Copyright Mars Ravelo Marvelous Characters, Inc.
Helga, Serpina, Vampire Vladimir by GMA Network
Planet Woman Elektra & The Planet Women by Armando Garces
Promo Pics of: Marian Rivera as DARNA courtesy of GMA Network, Inc.
Darna Promo Videoclips (c) GMA Network Inc.
and shared on YouTube by their respective owners.