Munting Heredera

*Munting Heredera*
Munting Heredera
	File:Muntingheredera.JPG
Created by	Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan
Written by	Michiko Yamamoto ; Maribel Ilag ; Gilbeys Sardea
Directed by	Maryo J. delos Reyes
Creative director	Jun Lana
Starring	Gloria Romero; Camille Prats; Mark Anthony Fernandez; Mona Louise Rey; Kyle Danielle Ocampo; Barbara Miguel
Theme music composer	Gary Valenciano and Joy Nilo
Opening theme	"Ang Aking Munting Bituin" by La Diva
Ending theme	"Sa Isip Ko" by Rachelle Ann Go
Country of origin	Philippines
Original languages	Filipino, Tagalog, English
No. of episodes	190 (Total)
Production
Executive producer	Nieva M. Sabit
Producer	GMA Entertainment TV Group
Camera setup	Multiple-camera setup
Running time	30–45 minutes (approx. 25 minutes w/o commercials)
Original release
Network	GMA Network
Release	May 9, 2011 –; January 27, 2012

Munting Heredera (lit. Little Heiress) is a family oriented Philippine drama created and developed by Maryo J. delos Reyes for GMA Network. Playing the lead role of Doña Anastacia, a rich widow in search of her “munting heredera”, is no less than multi-award winning actress and one of the original Queens of Philippine cinema, Ms. Gloria Romero, who now makes her television debut with the said network.^[1] The show premiered on May 9 on GMA Network and on May 11, 2011 on GMA Pinoy TV. ^[2]

The TV series is filmed and shot in Hi-Def 720p, as GMA Network plans on standardizing all of its shows to have and use HD cameras by the end of 2011, although is re-converted back to 480i for standard definition as digital television has not yet been activated in the Philippines. Worldwide, via GMA Pinoy TV, the quality of the picture is much finer but is still at 480i, just that it has been mastered digitally.^[3]^[4]^[5]^[6]

The TV series is extended for five more weeks than its original plans, but after one week the show extended again for additional five weeks for the second time. For the third time was extended again of 10 weeks.^[7]

Overview

Synopsis

Doña Anastacia (or simply "Ana"), a rich widowed businesswoman and a loving grandmother is in search for her rightful heiress, but 3 young girls Jennifer, Michelle and Calila, born and grew up in different ways and has each distinct story of her own, claims to be the one Doña Anastacia is looking for. But in the end, fate will lead the true heiress to where she truly belongs, and claim what is rightfully hers.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Gloria Romero as Doña Anastacia "Ana" Montereal
Camille Prats as Sandra Santiago/Susan Velasco
Mark Anthony Fernandez as Jacob Montereal
Mona Louise Rey as Jennifer Montereal
Barbara Miguel as Calilla Arboleda
Kyle Danielle Ocampo as Michelle Velasco

Extended cast

Roderick Paulate as Manny Mejia
Katrina Halili as Lynette Sarmiento †
Kristofer Martin as Tim John "TJ" Navarro †
Joyce Ching as Kyla Montereal †
Krystal Reyes as Gemmalyn "Gemma" Sarmiento
Gabby Eigenmann as Desmond Montereal/Michael Sison
Luz Valdez^[8] as Marya
Ynez Veneracion as Claire Montereal †
Leandro Baldemor as Dr. Philip Arboleda
Neil Ryan Sese as Simeon Velasco
Migs Cuaderno as Tonton
Robert Arevalo as Enrique Lobregat
Boots Anson-Roa as Ingrid Spencer-Lobregat
Bobby Andrews as Atty. Stanley Lobregat
Andrea del Rosario as Kate Lobregat
? as Aurora Sison

Guest cast

Matet de Leon as Helen - The friend of Susan at the time she worked at the hospital, before the tragedy.
Deborah Sun as Tiya Meding - Manny's cruel and malevolent aunt, who mistreats and abuses Jennifer, especially while Manny is away in Manila to earn money.
Sharmaine Arnaiz^[9] as Maritess / Nanay Lulu † - She claims that she is the true mother of Jennifer. However, she is just being paid by Simeon to do that, so, Susan can let go of Jennifer.
Elijah Alejo as Abigail - She helps Jennifer to let go of Maritess and see Manny.
Sue Prado as Nerissa - Simeon's new live-in partner who tries to help Sandra avoid Simeon's plots to capture her.
Jesus Ramon “Monmon” Domingo as Allen Lobregat † - he is the only son of Stanley. He is suffering from epilepsy. However he died due to suffocation.
Julio Diaz as Ka Toto - he is the neighborhood of Manny. He is selling herbal medicines.

Families

Montereal Family

Doña Anastacia Montereal
Jennifer Montereal
Jacob Montereal
Sandra Santiago-Montereal/Susan Velasco

Sison Family

Aurora "Auring" Sison †
Melanie "Kyla" Montereal/Melanie "Kyla" Sison †
Desmond Montereal/Michael Sison
Claire Montereal/Claire Sison †

Arboleda Family

Lynette Sarmiento-Arboleda †
Dr. Philip Arboleda
Calilla Arboleda
Gemmalyn "Gemma" Sarmiento
Tim John "TJ" Navarro-Arboleda †

Velasco Family

Simeon Velasco
Edna Velasco †
Michelle Velasco

Lobregat Family

Ingrid Spencer-Lobregat
Enrique Lobregat
Atty. Stanley Lobregat
Kate Lobregat
Allen Lobregat †

Production

Casting

The original cast included Carmina Villaroel in the role of Camille Prats. But due to conflict of schedule, as she has 3 present shows in GMA Network, she had turned down the project.^[10]
Aside for Carmina, Kristoffer Martin and Joyce Ching are both left their program, after their death scene, since the said tandem. they conflict to rush-up for Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin

Soundtrack

The main theme song of the soap opera entitled Ang Aking Munting Bituin (lit. My Little Star) is sung by La Diva. It was originally performed by Gary Valenciano. Lyrics by Rollie Navarro, Music by Gary Valenciano and Joy Nilo.
The love scenes theme song of the soap opera entitled Sa Isip Ko performed by Rachelle Ann Go. It was originally performed by Agot Isidro and revived by the other singers Jay R and Sarah Geronimo before Rachelle Ann Go revived the same title of the song.

Production Team

Created by: GMA Entertainment TV Group
Executive In-Charge of Production: Wilma V. Gavante
Supervising Producer: Lilybeth Rasonable
Assistant Vice President for Drama: Redgie Acuña Magno
Program Manager: Redgynn Alba
Executive Producer: Nieva M. Sabit
Associate Producer: Cristina Tolentino
Creative Consultant: RJ Nuevas
Dode Cruz
Creative Director: Jun Lana
Head Writer: Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan
Episode Writer: Michiko Yamamoto
Production Designer: Bing Santos
Lighting Director: Jun Gonzales
Director: Maryo J. de los Reyes ^[11]

Awards

Golden Screen TV Awards

Gabby Eigenmann for Best Supporting Actor