Kamandag

infobox television
bgcolor=#c00
fgcolor=#fff
show_name = Kamandag


caption = Carlo J. Caparas' Kamandag
format = Action, Adventure, Drama Fantasy, Romance
picture_format = 480i SDTV
runtime = 30-45 minutes
creator = Carlo J. Caparas
director = Mark A. Reyes
Topel Lee
executive_producer = Wilma Galvante
Carol Reyes
Angie Castrence
producer = Redgie Magno
starring = Richard Gutierrez as Vergel
(see cast)
theme_music_composer = Eric Torralba
opentheme = Jan Nieto
endtheme = First Circle
country = flagicon|Philippines
language = Filipino, Tagalog, English
network = GMA Network
first_aired = November 19, 2007
last_aired = April 25, 2008
followed_by = Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel
num_episodes = 113 +1 special
related = Bakekang
Joaquin Bordado
Tasya Fantasya
website = http://www.igma.tv/shows/kamandag
imdb_id = 1077359

Kamandag, also known as Venom in English, is a fantasy Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from November 19, 2007 to April 25, 2008. [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/14127/Richard-Gutierrez-and-Dingdong-Dantes-star-in-horror-film-Dagao Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes star in horror film "Dagao"] , " pep.ph", n.d. Accessed last July 23, 2007.] . Based from the graphic novel of Carlo J. Caparas, it starred Richard Gutierrez [ [http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/feb0507/showbiz_al.htm GMA 7, siksik sa mga pasabog] , " mb.com.ph", n.d. Accessed last May 14, 2007.] .

Overview

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. [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/15332/Actress-Eula-Valdes-is-now-a-Kapuso-star Actress Eula Valdes is now a Kapuso star] , " pep.ph", n.d. Accessed last November 12, 2007.]

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 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 art of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jujitsu. [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/15429/UFC-hotshot-Brandon-Vera-weighs-options-on-whether-to-take-acting-seriously UFC hotshot Brandon Vera weighs options on whether to take acting seriously] , " pep.ph", n.d. Accessed last November 12, 2007.]

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. [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/15435/Francine-Prieto-is-comfortable-playing-contravida-roles Francine Prieto is comfortable playing contravida roles] , " pep.ph", n.d. Accessed last November 12, 2007.]

Reaction

The series earned positive reviews from the viewers taking in 42.7% rating on its pilot episode on November 19. [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/15520/TV-Ratings-(Nov.-19):-Richard-Gutierrezs-Kamandag-is-off-to-a-good-start TV Ratings (Nov. 19): Richard Gutierrez's "Kamandag" is off to a good start] , " pep.ph", n.d. Accessed last November 20, 2007.]

On February 26, the series reached its peak 43.6%, placing second to MariMar's 47.8%. [ [http://www.pep.ph/guide/1653/TV-Ratings-(Feb.-26-28):-%22Daisy-Siete%22-and-%22Eat-Bulaga!%22-engage-in-seesaw-battle TV Ratings (Feb. 26-28): "Daisy Siete" and "Eat Bulaga!" engage in seesaw battle] ] The series achieved the same rating on March 7. [ [http://www.pep.ph/guide/1693/TV-Ratings-(March-7-10):-Marimar-fever-reaches-the-daytime-race Philippine Entertainment Portal | Television | TV Ratings (March 7-10): "Marimar" fever reaches the daytime race ] ]

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. [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/15514/TV-Ratings-(Nov.-16–18):-Marimar-achieves-new-milestone-while-Kamandag-primer-spews-venom/10 TV Ratings (Nov. 16–18): "Marimar" achieves new milestone while "Kamandag" primer spews venom] , " pep.ph", n.d. Accessed last November 19, 2007.]

Plot

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 different sorts of half human and half creature beings called Ambogs live. Its kingdom has six tribes: Hasbaya, snake tribe ruled by Haring Saban; Lobobaya, wolf tribe ruled by Haring Gulag; Pusbaya, cat tribe ruled by Reynang Kuran; Goybaya, monkey tribe ruled by Haring Dinggol; Orobaya, bull tribe ruled by Haring Budol and Rapaya, a long lost reptile tribe ruled by Reynang Ragona. Haring Saban, who is the King of the half human and half snake people (Hasbaya Tribe) and his regular human wife Alicia (the regular humans in the Ambograw are suppose to be caught and turned into slaves, although Saban fell in love with Alicia) and they had a baby. Though, 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 a battle between the two for the ruler of all Ambograw but Reynang Kuran, queen of Pusbaya Tribe, interfered and set them on fire. Saban died later. Meanwhile, Ikoy and his sister brought the baby into the human world for his safety. Domeng and Elena found a baby and they named him Vergel. Vergel later discovers his snake powers and he's destined to be a hero. Vergel names himself as Kamandag, the savior of all beings. Haring Budol gives Vergel a mysterious bracelet, which was inherited by his father Haring Saban, and 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, Vergel's close friend and later enemy, becomes another half-snake half-human and becomes Kamandag's mortal enemy naming himself as Talim. Kamandag and Talim fights for their love and glory.

Cast and characters

Main Cast

* Richard Gutierrez as Vergel / Kamandag
**The son of the Hasbayan King, Vergel is brought to the world of the mortals to escape his faith in Ambog. He is taken in by a kind couple who adopts him as their own, and Vergel grows up to become a compassionate man who decides to use his emerging powers for the good of everyone. Ten years later after the defeat of his enemies, he meets Doro, Lily and Jenny. He chooses Jenny ,then he actually tries to save Lily from the three kidnappers.
* Mark Anthony Fernandez as Lucero Serrano / Talim
**Lucero begins as Vergel's best friend, but because of different upbringing and because they uphold different values, they become mortal enemies. Lucero shares the same powers as Vergel, but he would rather use his for personal gains. He joins Kamandag to save Jenny but he betrays him so Kamandag stabs him. He dies in an explosive blast to sacrifice his life for Jenny and Kamandag.
* Maxene Magalona [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/14668/GMA-7-announces-the-cast-of-new-action-series-Kamandag GMA-7 announces the cast of new action series "Kamandag"] , pep.ph, n.d. Accessed last September 6, 2007.] as Lily
**Lily hides a secret love for her childhood best friend. She's also a lost daughter of Domeng who impregnated Vivian, her mother. Ten years later, she meets Vergel and she tells him that she's engaged with her fiancee. She gets kidnapped by three men while sees Vergel and Jenny kissing but he saved her actually in the end.
* Jewel Mische as Jenny
**Jenny is a Manila girl who becomes the woman both Vergel and Lucero will fight for. But the city girl hides a secret about her identity. Ten years later, she kisses Vergel but she sees Jenny kidnapped by three men so she orders Vergel to save her.
* Ehra Madrigal as Ditas / Denise / Lady Kamandag
**Ditas is the real daughter of Domeng and Elena. Vergel treats her as his real sister. She has snake powers which comes from Vergel's blood. She's a rival to Kamandag and Lucero due to their snake powers. She will join Kamandag's forces in the process. She reveals to be Lily's half sisiter.
* Eula Valdez [ [http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2007-10-25&sec=3&aid=36379 Eula, Kapuso na!] , journal.com.ph, n.d. Accessed last October 24, 2007.] as Alicia
**Alicia is a mother of Kamandag and wife of King Saban then later King Gulag. She seeks to find her missing son and her father to reunite once again.
* Johnny Delgado as King Budol
**King of Orobaya tribe who is King Saban's close friend. Much like Saban, Budol's benevolence towards humanity as well as diplomatic skills are matched only by the beastly brute strength he displays in battle. He will later have his subordinates take the young Vergel into the mortal world where he would be safest from Gulag's reach and then eventually hand over the bracelet once owned by his friend to Vergel in inheritance. He was punished and then executed by his own son Agol and King Gulag.
* Zoren Legaspi as King Gulag
**The ruler of the Lobobaya clan, King Gulag nurses a deep hatred for Haring Saban -- because of a woman he lost to the rule of the Hasbaya tribe. Like Reyna Kuran, he is cruel to his mortal slaves. He becomes furious and finds vengeance after the death of his son Adlak (Kamandag's half-brother), who was killed by Lily. He is beheaded by Kamandag in the final battle.
* Ariel Rivera as Abdon Serrano
**Lucero's father, Abdon is a small-time businessman who makes his business grow through unlawful means. He's also a son of Lolo Pepe and brother of Alicia. His life ends when Ditas bites and poisons him to death.
* Ronaldo Valdez as Lolo Pepe
**Lolo Pepe is a rich old man who longs to find his missing daughter. In the end, he reunites with Alicia after his long successful recovery by Eliza.
* Francine Prieto as Queen Kuran [ [http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/oct1407/showbiz_ad.htm Rufa Mae, mahal pa rin si Erik] , abante-tonite, n.d. Accessed last September 6, 2007.]
**The most cunning ruler in the land of Ambograw, Queen Kuran leads the pack of the Pusbaya. She is most cruel to her slaves from the mortal world. She is stabbed to death by Alicia and dropped into the molten lava.
* Rainier Castillo as Ikoy [ [http://www.pep.ph/news/15432/Rainier-Castillo-shows-some-skin-in-his-costume-as-human-monkey-in-Kamandag Rainier Castillo shows some skin in his costume as human monkey in "Kamandag"] , pep.ph, n.d. Accessed last November 12, 2007.]
**A Goybayan who is one of Kamandag's allies to fight against evil. He's a friend of Vergel/Kamandag. Dies in the final battle.
* Francis Magundayao as Boyong / Dagok
**Another one of Domeng's adopted kids; Boyong also comes from the world of the Ambog. There is not a lot known about his real origins. He's the son of Queen Ragona. He has fire powers which is inherited by his mother. His real name is Dagok.
* Melissa Mendez as Elena
**Ditas' mother who was separated from Domeng. She's also an adoptive mother of Vergel. In the end, Elena repents her sins to Vergel and reunites with him and Ditas.
* Benjie Paras as King Dinggol
**King of the Goybaya clan, Dinggol is very friendly and very business-minded at the same time. Of all the rulers, he is the only one who doesn't want to be involved in tribal wars and alliances. He is, however, not one who would deliberately just turn his back on a friend especially when they neded him most, as seen when he threw Saban a useable weapon during the final moments of the Snake King's duel against Gulag, and right after Budol's execution - an event that would remain in Dinggol's conscience for some time. He later redeems himself by joining Kamandag's forces to battle King Gulag's forces. In the end, Dinggol is now the king of Ambograw.
* Elvis Gutierrez as Agol
**As Haring Budog's son, Agol is a mystery to his people. He's also one of Gulag's allies to punish slaves. Dies in the final battle.
* Mike "Pekto" Nacua as Doro
**Another Ambog adopted by the kindly Domeng and Elena, Doro grows up to become Vergel's sidekick. He can transform himself into a werewolf. Ten years later, he becomes a business man.
* Gardo Versoza as King Saban
**Haring Saban rules of the Hasbaya tribe, and unlike the other rulers, he treats his mortal slaves with the same respect as he would his fellow Hasbayans. Because of this, the humans see him as their only hope in the world of Ambog. He was defeated by his rival Gulag and died in the fire. He finally meets his son in the spirit world and he will help him in the final battle.
* Emilio Garcia as Domeng
**Domeng is the kindly man who takes in the abandoned Vergel. He becomes the child's adoptive father and he teaches the orphan the values he will uphold when he becomes of age.
* Sunshine Dizon as Ragona
**Ragona is an Ambog who has fire powers and a queen of Rapaya Tribe of Abograw. She finally meets her son Boyong/Dagok. She's also one of Kamandag's allies to fight against King Gulag and Queen Kuran. In the end, Ragona ends up as the queen of Ambograw.

Extended Cast

* Renz Valerio as Young Vergel
* Alessandra de Rossi as Eleanor
* Glydel Mercado as Vivian
* Michelle Madrigal as Eliza
* Bryan Revilla as Adlak
* Ram Revilla as Harn
* Maureen Larazabal as Cathy
* Michael Flores as Sahir
* Dominic Roco as Pigo
* Karylle as Spectra
* Bryan Revilla as Adlak
* Alyssa Alano as Queen Baba
* Ynez Veneracion as Jaime

Production crew

*Directed by: Mark A. Reyes and Topel Lee
*Executive-in-charge of Production: Wilma Galvante
*Production Manager: Redgie Acuña-Magno
*Executive Producer: Carol Reyes and Angie Castrence
*Creative Consultants: Carlo J. Caparas, Jun Lana, and Anette Gozon-Abrogar
*Head Writer: RJ Nuevas
*Writers: Suzette Doctolero, Jules Katanyag and Tina Velasco
*Musical Director: Richard Gonzales
*Costume Designer: Bill Gustillo and Noel Flores
*Production Designer: Rodel Cruz

oundtrack

The series has 3 official theme songs, all sung by different recording artists.

*"Mailap Na Landas"
**Performed by Jan Nieto
**Composed by Eric Torralba and Mark A. Reyes

*"Kamandag"
**Performed by First Circle
**Composed by First Circle

*"Bugnot"
**Performed by Renz Echaore
**Composed by Eric Torralba

ee also

*List of programs previously aired by GMA Network

References