Bakekang
Bakekang | |
---|---|
File:BakekangGMA.jpg | |
Genre | Drama, Action, Romance, Teledrama |
Created by | Carlo J. Caparas |
Developed by | RJ Nuevas |
Written by | Suzette Doctolero Denoy Narro-Punto Renato Custodio Tina Velasco Dode Cruz |
Directed by | Gil Tejada, Jr. Khryss Adalia |
Starring | Sunshine Dizon Sheryl Cruz Yasmien Kurdi Lovi Poe |
Theme music composer | Tata Betita |
Opening theme | "Ang Mundo Ko'y Ikaw" by Jonalyn Viray |
Ending theme | "Tayong Dalawa" by Aicelle Santos |
Country of origin | Philippines |
Original languages | Filipino, Tagalog, English |
No. of episodes | 145 +2 specials |
Production | |
Executive producer | Mona Coles-Mayuga |
Running time | 30-45 minutes |
Original release | |
Network | GMA Network |
Release | September 11, 2006 March 30, 2007 | –
Related | |
Kamandag Joaquin Bordado Tasya Fantasya Gagambino |
Bakekang is a Philippine drama that aired on GMA Network from September 11, 2006, and ended on March 30, 2007. It aired internationally with a three-week delay on GMA Pinoy TV.
The network acquired the rights to Bakekang, a popular comic novel by Carlo J. Caparas about an ugly girl who succeeds despite the difficulties and discrimination she encounters in life. The TV series was said to have created a so-called "Bakekang syndrome", in which champions women's rights and causes.[1] It stars Sunshine Dizon in the title role and gain her PMPC Star Awards Best Actress for this portrayal. It was shown in Singapore and Malaysia and currently being aired in Indonesia.
Overview
Komiks and film
Bakekang was serialized in Bondying Komiks at the same time that Panday was serialized in Pilipino Komiks in the early mid-70's.[2]
The comic novel was written by Carlo J. Caparas. It was his first novel with a woman as lead character, as his novels then all starred men like Panday and Totoy Bato, both filmed by the late Fernando Poe, Jr.
Bakekang was made into movie in 1978. It was starred by Philippine Superstar Nora Aunor and directed by F.H. Constantino.[3]
In the film version, Bakekang is an ugly woman who begets a very beautiful girl from a foreigner. A movie fan as she is, she compels her daughter, named Crystal (spelled Kristal in the TV version), to join show business. Her daughter becomes a big star and Bakekang, a stage mother.
Pre-production
Casting Bakekang
There were plenty of speculations as to whom GMA Network would choose to lead its upcoming remake of a Carlo J. Caparas classic. Before it was announced that GMA Network was going to remake the old film; the rival network ABS-CBN’s Ai Ai de las Alas and Kris Aquino have expressed that they want to play the lead role.
After it was announced that GMA Network will remake it, people talked of Jean Garcia, Sheryl Cruz, Jaya, Ara Mina, Jolina Magdangal, Angel Locsin and Sharon Cuneta, but the station's choice went back to their home-grown talents: the new Bakekang is... Sunshine Dizon.
Casting the daughters
In the original film, Bakekang had only one child; in the series, Bakekang has two, one beautiful and one ugly. Nadine Samonte was supposed to play the role of Bakekang’s beautiful daughter Kristal, but she couldn’t sing. Jackie Rice was also considered to play Kristal, but she was suspended by the network for attitude problems. GMA Network was going back to their original choice, Yasmien Kurdi, but they decided to give her a more challenging role. Kurdi was given the role of Charming, the ugly daughter and the role of Kristal was given to newcomer singer Lovi Poe, the daughter of the late acting legend Fernando Poe Jr.. In addition, Nadine Samonte was given the role of Lorraine, the rival of Lovi Poe in fame.
Production crew
The role of director was offered to the original creator of Bakekang Carlo J. Caparas, who is also a movie director. Caparas turned down the role; instead, he took the role of the creative consultant for the series.
- Writers: Suzette Doctolero, Denoy Narro-Punto, Renato Custodio, Tina Velasco and Dode Cruz
- Head Writer: RJ Nuevas
- Creative Consultants: Anette Gozon-Abrogar and Don Michael Perez
- Executive Producer: Mona Coles-Mayuga
- Production Managers: Redgie A. Magno and Redgynn S. Alba
- Executive-in-charge of Creative: Carlo J. Caparas
- Executive-in-charge of Production: Wilma Galvante
- Art Director: Easenhower Ragma
- Directed by: Gil Tejada Jr. and Khryss Adalia
Awards and nominations
At the 21st PMPC Star Awards for Television, which was held on November 18, Bakekang received four nominations:[4]
- Best Primetime Drama Series
- Best Drama Actress(es) for Sunshine Dizon and Manilyn Reynes
- Best New Female Personality for Lovi Poe
Winning two awards for "Best New Female Personality" and "Best Drama Actress" for Sunshine Dizon, it did not manage to win the "Best Primetime Drama Series", which went to Maging Sino Ka Man.[5]
The series was also nominated for Best Drama Mini-Series for the 3rd USTv Students Choice Awards but lost out to Maging Sino Ka Man, again.[6]
Synopsis
Jacoba "Bakekang" Maisog (Sunshine Dizon) is a woman who has been deprived of affection and has only experienced mockery and scorn since childhood because of her ugly face. But she is not one to wallow in pity and be forever trampled upon: She is a strong-willed fighter who can rise above the odds. Determined to change the course of her life, she aims to be impregnated by an American in the hopes of bearing a beautiful child.
She gives birth to twin daughters who unfortunately do not look alike. One turns out to be the beautiful child Bakekang has dreamed of and the other one turns out to be ugly. Bakekang becomes a doting mother to her beautiful daughter Kristal (Lovi Poe), whom she later pushes to become an actress, while the other daughter Charming (Yasmien Kurdi) grows up ignored and unloved by her mother.
She is a loving heart trapped beneath an ugly facade, ignored and unappreciated by those who fail to see beyond what is skin-deep. Bakekang is a woman whose only desire is to feel a little affection from the world that has deprived her of everything she has always longed for.[7] Through Kristal, Bakekang will feel the kind of attention she longs for.
The unusual face of an unlikely heroine will emerge to present a riveting story of an ugly woman’s rise from a sorry state of ridicule to the pedestal of triumph and coveted fame.
Original TV series plot
- A love square between Johnny, Lorraine, Aldrin and Kristal. Kristal and Lorraine likes Johnny, Aldrin likes Lorraine and is willing to do anything for her, Aldrin then falls for Kristal, Johnny is torn between Kristal and Lorraine.
- Charming wasn't supposed to go abroad, thus the characters Rita and the others never existed.
- Michael and Charming were meant to be lovers, with Jenny as the evil third wheel.
- Georgia was supposed to be Kristal's manager, putting her directly in between the intense rivalry of Valeria and Bakekang.
Finale
Bakekang's finale was aired on March 30 in the Philippines. There was a showdown concert between the sisters-now-rivals Kristal and Charming/Karisma.
The showdown between Karisma and Kristal was filmed with a live audience in the AFP Theatre on March 30.[8]
In the finale episode, Karisma announced that she and Kristal are indeed sisters. Herman (Victor Neri) saw Valeria (Sheryl Cruz)'s henchman, who was about to kill Charming, and stopped him. Bakekang went up to the stage to beg for forgiveness from her daughters for her sins but Valeria came out to shoot her. Kristal tried to stop her but ended up getting shot. Kristal dies.
While visiting Kristal's grave, with Bakekang, Marta (Manilyn Reynes) and Paking (Marky Lopez) saw a child named "Michael." They took the boy in to live under their wing. Kristof left to visit Valeria in the US, after finding out that she is dying. Joshua (Rainier Castillo) confessed his love for Charming. The ending ends with the wedding of Bakekang and Herman.
During the special finale live show, the special guest was the creator of Bakekang, Carlo J. Caparas.
Cast
- Main Cast
- Sunshine Dizon as Jacoba "Bakekang" Maisog
- Lovi Poe as Kristal Maisog[9]
- Yasmien Kurdi as Charming Maisog / Lokresha / Karisma
- Sheryl Cruz as Valeria Arevalo
- Manilyn Reynes as Marta
- Jay Manalo as Kristof Arevalo
- Gladys Reyes as Deborah Yokohama
- Victor Neri as Herman
- Cogie Domingo as Johnny
- Julia Clarete as Georgia
- Hero Angeles as Daniel Lozano
- Vangie Labalan as Mameng
- Marky Cielo as Michael
- Nadine Samonte as Lorraine Arevalo
- Dion Ignacio as Aldrin Sandoval
- Tyron Perez as Paolo
- Iwa Moto as Jenny
- Arci Munoz as Nicole
- Supporting Cast
- Marky Lopez as Paking
- Rainier Castillo as Joshua
- Lotlot de Leon as Rita
- Soxy Topacio as Sir Vincent
- Sheila Marie Rodriguez as Izzy
- Jennifer Sevilla as Stella
- Dionne de Guzman as Otik
- Ailyn Luna
- Guest Cast
- Eunice Lagusad as Young Charming
- Krystal Reyes as Young Kristal
- Joy Folloso as Young Lorraine
- Renzo Almario as Young Michael
- Romnick Sarmenta as Francis
- Luz Valdez as Lola Maria
- Evangeline Pascual as Valerias Mom
- Marcus Madrigal as Direk Manfred
- Chinggoy Alonzo as Rod
- Maritoni Fernandez as Elsa
- Isko Moreno
- Kenneth Ocampo
Soundtrack
There is no definitive soundtrack for Bakekang, but the following songs have been credited and played in the series:
- "Ang Mundo Ko'y Ikaw" (You Are My World)
- Performed by Jonalyn Viray
- Composed by Tata Betita and Sherwin Castillo
- "Tayong Dalawa" (The Two of Us)
- Performed by Aicelle Santos/Lovi Poe
- Composed by Tata Betita and Sherwin Castillo
- "Dakilang Movie Fan" (Avid Movie Fan)
- Performed by Sunshine Dizon
- Composed by Jose Mari Chan
- "Ngayong Wala Ka Na" (Now That You're Gone)
- Performed by Yasmien Kurdi
- Composed by Tata Betita and Sherwin Castillo
Popularity
Bubble Gang Presents "Bakokang"
Bubble Gang, GMA Network's highly rated gag show, spoofed Bakekang and renamed it as "Bakokang" and changing the names of the cast into Bakokang (Bakekang) played by Michael V., Marte (Marta) played by Ogie Alcasid, Pistof (Kristof) played by Wendell Ramos and Mebra (Deborah) played by Antonio Aquitania.
Ironically, Wendell Ramos was the original first choice to play Kristof for the teledrama, his character in Bakokang is the spoof of Kristof.
Replay
Due to the high rating of Bakekang on its finale, the highest in the series with 39.7% against Maging Sino Ka Man's 19.4%, a 2-hour Bakekang finale week was set on Maundy Thursday from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.[10] The replay also received high ratings against its rival show.
In Super Twins
Many episodes in the GMA Network Philippine drama Super Twins shows many scenes where characters were watching Bakekang in their television screens. This was last highlighted in the second to last episode of Super Twins.[11]
There are also many references to Bakekang throughout the 78 episodes of Super Twins.
Remake
Bakekang creator Carlo J. Caparas and his wife-producer Donna Villa has already started production for the new movie version of Bakekang. The story will be about Bakekang and her childhood days. It will be produced by GMA Network's film outfit GMA Films, and Villa's Golden Lion Films.
Caparas was so impressed of Sunshine Dizon's performance, he wants her to play the role of Bakekang once more on the silver screen. If the script is approved by the MMFF committee, the movie will be screened for the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival. The movie did not push through due to unknown reasons.[12]
See also
- List of shows previously aired by GMA Network
- List of telenovelas of GMA Network
- Bituing Walang Ningning - a similar series about women fighting for fame
- Kampanerang Kuba - a similar series about an ugly protagonist
References
- ^ "Sunshine, bida sa 'Bakekang' movie", journal.com.ph, n.d. Accessed last March 26, 2007.
- ^ "Marky Cielo gets acting break via ‘Bakekang’", mb.com.ph, n.d. Accessed last March 6, 2007.
- ^ "Bakekang (1978)", imdb.com , n.d. Accessed last March 6, 2007.
- ^ PMPC bares nominees in the 21st Star Awards for Television, pep.ph, n.d. Accessed last October 21, 2007.
- ^ FIRST READ ON PEP: ABS-CBN named Best TV Station at 21st Star Awards for TV, pep.ph, n.d. Accessed last November 19, 2007.
- ^ 3rd USTv Choice Awards Nominations, pinoyexchange.com, n.d. Accessed last October 28, 2007.
- ^ "Bakekang - About the Show", igma.tv, n.d. Accessed last March 6, 2007.
- ^ "Yasmien Kurdi almost finished with her second album", pep.ph, n.d. Accessed last March 23, 2007.
- ^ "Bakekang - Cast", igma.tv, n.d. Accessed last March 6, 2007.
- ^ "Bakekang Finale Week Replay", philstar.com, n.d. Accessed last April 2, 2007.
- ^ Super Twins: Eliazar’s message to the people of Laro, igma.tv, n.d. Accessed last May 31, 2007.
- ^ http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/02/11/ENTR2007021186832.html "Donna Villa to produce ‘Bakekang’ the movie", mb.com.ph, n.d. Accessed last March 12, 2007.