The Kapamilya TV adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s classic superhero will bid farewell on February 10.
Julie Anne Benitez, the head of the Kapamilya entertainment unit, JRB Creative Productions, expressed her gratitude to viewers who have been tirelessly supporting the TV series–Mars Ravelo’s Darna ever since it debuted on August 15 last year.
Through a Twitter post made yesterday, February 2, the Kapamilya executive also took her chance to reveal something surprising about Darna.
“Last 6 episodes na ng #Darna to complete its 26wks run. Truth be told, dapat limited series lang ang Darna, 1 season (13wks), pero dahil sa suporta ng mga viewers, at most watched show online, naging 26wks sya. Maraming salamat sa patuloy na sumusuporta sa programa,” her tweet reads, revealing that the Kapamilya series was originally envisioned to last only 13 weeks, which is the usual run of a one-season show.
Benitez, through a previous tweet, gave props to the whole production team of Darna, for having able to complete the series’ 26-week run.
“Hindi matatawaran ang sakripisyo at dedikasyon ng LAHAT ng taong bumubuo ng Darna. Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat!!! Bawi tayo ng pagod!!!THANKFUL, GRATEFUL, BLESSED and PROUD!!!,“ she tweeted.
Benitez has been actively engaging the fans and detractors of the show since it premiered. It was inevitable to come across negative comments, hence the many times the Kapamilya executive responded to some of those.
“Walang masama kung babasahin at sasagutin ko kung ano lang ang gusto ko. Ang masama, ang magmura ng kapwa. Hindi ulit hindi nyo gusto ang Darna, may karapatan na kayong murahin ako at mga writers ko. FYI, that account is being traced already. Hindi ko papalagpasin yan,” she tweeted, responding to a netizen who criticized her for engaging with the show’s bashers.
Walang masama kung babasahin at sasagutin ko kung ano lang ang gusto ko. Ang masama, ang magmura ng kapwa. Hindi ulit hindi nyo gusto ang Darna, may karapatan na kayong murahin ako at mga writers ko. FYI, that account is being traced already. Hindi ko papalagpasin yan. https://t.co/3KQpfCoZqp
— Julie Anne R. Benitez (@JRB012370) February 2, 2023
While it’s true the show has been heavily bombarded with negative criticisms and sore comparisons with past TV adaptations of Darna, it has received appreciation from other followers. That included Gel, who longed to see lead stars Jane De Leon and Joshua Garcia in another project.
“Nakaka sad naman po last 6 episodes nalang, but thank you po sa inyu sa buong team darna at production sa hard work na ibinigay nyu. Sana po another projects for Jane and Joshua kakaiba Kasi yung chemistry ng dalawa,” she tweeted.
https://twitter.com/angelgrace_vv/status/1621156793262145537
Similarly, Rye extended her gratitude to the production team.
She told Benitez to not mind the bashers.
“thank you sa 6 months madam @JRB012370 kudos sa inyo po.Wag nyo nalang po pansinin mga bashers hehe.Spread loveeee
pero madam,di pa kami ready,”
https://twitter.com/ailyyyyynnnnn/status/1621139275315302402
Despite its imperfections and admittedly cringy moments, ABS-CBN’s Darna, in a way, was a refreshing scene in the local television landscape. It is arguably an upgrade from the previous two versions.
Let’s not forget the beautifully-executed and impressively-acted pilot week, shall we? One can’t help but think, however, the succeeding weeks could have been a lot better.
