After Coco Martin’s heroic walk into the sunset is Jane de Leon’s rise as Darna on primetime.
Interest in Darna is high. And the high finale ratings of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” were carried over in the first few episodes of the modern-day retelling of Mars Ravelo’s Pinay superhero.
According to the Kapamilya network, the first episode soared to a peak of 296,334 live concurrent viewers via Kapamilya Online Live on YouTube. The premiere introduced viewers to Jane’s Narda Custodio, mom Leonor (Iza Calzado), brother Ding (Zaijian Jaranilla), and grandmother Berta (Rio Locsin) and provided explained how Leonor, the first Darna, came to Earth from planet Marte.
The succeeding episodes also got a lot of viewership so we’re sure it’s not only the actors who are feeling high, but also directors Benedict Mique, Jr., Avel E. Sunpongco, master filmmaker Chito Roño, producer Julie Anne R. Benitez of ABS-CBN’s JRB Creative Production unit.
Darna took many years to make and the netizens’ excitement was evident as the hashtag #Darna landed on top of the Twitter trend list worldwide and in the Philippines. Many lauded its commendable visual effects, impressive fight scenes, and inspiring message.
“Mars Ravelo’s Darna” airs weekdays, 8 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, CineMo, and TV5.
It is also available to watch via Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and The Filipino Channel.
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The 33-year-old is an actress, singer, dancer, business manager, and also producer of her own sitcom.

Maja Salvador is the hardest-working actor today. Aside from her many endorsements, she is, in our minds, the only star who regularly appears on TV5, Kapamilya Channel, and also GMA.
The 33-year-old multi-hypenate co-hosts the long-running noontime show on GMA, “Eat Bulaga.” She is the lead actor and producer of the sitcom “Oh My Korona” on TV5.
Her past series also streams on the Kapamilya Channel.
She and her fiancé, Rambo Nunez, also are very involved in managing their own Crown Artists Management, which counts John Lloyd Cruz as a talent.
It was in April when the two got engaged. But neither Maja and Rambo seem to be in a rush to tie the knot.
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The Kapuso network is proud of “The Clash” finalist Garrett Bolden for bagging the role of John Thomas in the “Miss Saigon” production in Guam.
John Thomas is an American GI deployed in Saigon at the time of the Vietnam War, and the best friend of Chris Scott.
Garrett admitted he did not plan on auditioning for “Miss Saigon.” “Nagkataon po na a friend of mine, sinabi niya na there’s an audition for a theater, which is something na bago po sa akin. Although I did theater before, that was high school days, pero ‘yung talagang experience po on a professional level, this is going to be my first.”
His audition song, “Bui Doi,” is special to him because it reminded him of his search for his real dad. “It actually hit me somewhere kasi the song is very relatable sa akin kasi I had this time before na I was looking for my real dad. So siguro ‘yung nabigay kong feelings doon sa audition song, ‘yun po ‘yung naging way para ma-consider nila ako for the next stages of auditions.”
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At 38, Marian Rivera looks as gorgeous as ever.
The Kapuso queen had a party to celebrate her turning a year older last Aug 18.
Her husband Dingdong Dantes and their kids Zia and Ziggy joined the radiant birthday girl in entertaining her guests, which included Kathryn Bernardo, Sophia Andres, Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi.
We would not be surprised if Marian and Dingdong decides to add another baby to their family soon.
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We fondly remember “The King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe, Jr. who would have turned 83 this Saturday, August 20.
Ron, who produced and directed some of his films (under the moniker Ronwaldo Reyes), was known not just for his craft but also for his malasakit for the common folk. His generosity was legendary that it was not surprising that many supported him in his run for president in 2004.
We miss him, and of course, his wife, “The Queen of Philippine Movies” Susan Roces, who passed away last May 20.