MariMar (Philippine TV series)

MariMar[1] was a Philippine drama previously being broadcast in GMA Network, starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera in her first lead role as the protagonist Marimar.[2]

Though a remake-adaptation of a Mexican telenovela the setting and some of the storylines were altered to avoid the series being too predictable.[3] Directed by award-winning directors Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre, the series premiered on August 13, 2007. The series ended on March 14, 2008.


Overview

1994 TV series
Marimar was a Mexican TV telenovela that was first aired in 1994 on Televisa with singer-actress Thalía in the title role.

The series had 75 forty-five minute episodes, and is the second part of a "Thalía" trilogy. The first was Maria Mercedes, and the final was Maria la del Barrio.


Popularity in the Philippines
The original Mexican telenovela was massive a hit in the Philippines with ratings over 50%, the only hit program on Radio Philippines Network (RPN) in 1996. The series' success paved way to another Thalía telenovela, Rosalinda.


2007 TV series

Casting Marimar
The contract with Televisa for the rights stipulates that GMA Network should start the series in 2007. With Angel Locsin's rejection of the offer, the network was prompted to give auditions to their roster of young actresses for the highly profiled role. On March 13, 2008, a video of the fifteen actresses who auditioned for the role of MariMar leaked on YouTube. These actresses are Bianca King, Nadine Samonte, Jennylyn Mercado, Ryza Cenon, Jewel Mische, LJ Reyes, Rhian Ramos, Camille Prats, Pauleen Luna, Katrina Halili, Valerie Concepcion, Nancy Castiglione, Cheska Garcia and Karylle. [4]

The role eventually went to Marian Rivera, who beat her closest rival for the role, Jennylyn Mercado. Some actresses who took part in the audition also landed major and supporting roles in the series. The anatagonist role of Angelika Santibanez went first to Bing Loyzaga but replaced by Katrina Halili after her character Ashley killed off from Lupin which would replace it, so the role of Esperanza went to Bing Loyzaga instead. The role of Natalia and Inocencia went to Bianca King and Nadine Samonte respectively. [5]


Production crew
This series is a comeback project for Joyce E. Bernal in TV and for GMA Network.[6]

* Writers: Benedict Migue, Denoy Punio and Kit Villanueva-Langit
* Head Writer: Dode Cruz
* Creative Consultant: Anette Gozon-Abrogar and Don Michael Perez
* Executive Producer: Wilma Galvante
* Production Manager: Redgynn S. Alba
* Executive-in-charge of Production: Wilma Galvante
* Directed by: Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre

Source