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Philippine television drama series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aso ni San Roque (International title: San Roque's Pet / transl. dog of San Roque) is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Don Michael Perez, it stars Mona Louise Rey. It premiered on September 10, 2012, on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Makapiling Kang Muli. The series concluded on January 11, 2013, with a total of 90 episodes. It was replaced by Indio in its timeslot.
| Aso ni San Roque | |
|---|---|
Title card | |
| Also known as | San Roque's Pet |
| Genre | Fantasy drama |
| Created by | Jun Lana |
| Developed by | Denoy Navarro-Punio |
| Written by |
|
| Directed by | Don Michael Perez |
| Creative director | Jun Lana |
| Starring | Mona Louise Rey |
| Opening theme | "Itatawid Mo sa Landas" by Rocco Nacino |
| Country of origin | Philippines |
| Original language | Tagalog |
| No. of episodes | 90 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Winnie Hollis-Reyes |
| Cinematography | Carlo S. Montano, Jr. |
| Camera setup | Multiple-camera setup |
| Running time | 20–31 minutes |
| Production company | GMA Entertainment TV |
| Original release | |
| Network | GMA Network |
| Release | September 10, 2012 – January 11, 2013 |
Separated from her birth parents at a very young age, a blind girl named Fatima grows up under the protective wing of Mother Ben, an old gay man under the control of a criminal syndicate. Since then, Mother Ben has been her sole protector, and uses Fatima's disability to help her escape hardships and mischief caused by the cruel syndicate.
Aside from having a pure, good heart, a dark secret lies within Fatima. She is the daughter of a mortal man and a manananggal, a traditional demoness that separates at the midsection so the upper half can fly at night to feed on blood. Fatima is thus the subject of a prophecy that spells the end of all evil beings on earth.
As Fatima reaches the age of seven, the search for her intensifies as witches, centaurs, mermaids and other malignant creatures join forces to prevent the girl from fulfilling the prophecy.[2]
Originally created/conceptualized by writer and director, Jun Lana for GMA Network, Aso ni San Roque is a drama-fantasy-adventure serial lies in the old "battle between good and evil" plot. Contrary to the first report published in entertainment news website, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the series is not based from Lana's 2012 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry, Bwakaw. Lana clarifies that the series is actually inspired from San Roque and his canine's moving story. San Roque, also known as Saint Roch or Saint Rocco, is the saint usually depicted in statue form in Catholic churches as the one with a walking stick on the left hand, while the other hand is pointing on to a wound on one of his knees with a dog sitting by his side.[12] The Catholic Church named him patron of dogs, plague, pestilence and AIDS. He is also the patron saint of invalids.[13] In the series, San Roque brought his dog come to life to save and be a guide to Fatima, the blessed child who prophesied to be the one who will end the existence of evil entities on earth.
The series also highlights Pinoy mythology by putting aswang, manananggal, tikbalang, bruha and sirena as part [villains] of the story. Series' director, Don Michael Perez stated that, the network is aiming to enrich Filipinos [especially the young ones] knowledge of the country's rich culture, beliefs and mythology by using this kind of concept, just like what the network did in their past television series, in the likes of Darna, Dyesebel, Joaquin Bordado and Luna Mystika.[14] In the story, the aswangs are divided into four classes: Aswang ng Hangin, most commonly known as the manananggals or the winged-vampires. It headed by the dreadful Kanlaon which played by Gardo Versoza; the Aswang ng Lupa or the land-based evil entities, who ruled by Sento, played by Paolo Contis, the heartless half-human, half-horse creature popularly known as the tikbalang; Aswang ng Tubig or the sea-based evil creatures. It headed by Queen Anaira, an evil mermaid which portrayed by Gwen Zamora; and the Aswang ng Apoy or the fire-powered witches ruled by Bulan, played by Angelika dela Cruz.
The cast was first presented during the series' story conference held on August 2, 2012, at GMA Network Center. Mona Louise Rey was chosen to play the role of Fatima, the protagonist. Rey, who rose in stardom after the successful drama series[15] Munting Heredera, felt overwhelmed with the network's support for her career and at the same time, excited for the role assigned on her.[16]
Meanwhile, Princess, a two-year-old half Golden Retriever and half Cocker Spaniel, was chosen to be part of the series as Anghel, San Roque's dog who defend and guide the main character through her adventures.[17] Don Michael Perez said, "Princess, is definitely born to be a star," he says. The dog's trainer Ergie Estrella said that he did not encounter difficulty in training the star dog, saying that all it takes is positive reinforcement.[18]
TJ Trinidad and LJ Reyes shared equally important roles in the series. Reyes considered this series as her biggest break ever. After being typecast in villain characters [she's associated in her villainous roles in Time of My Life[19] and The Good Daughter,[20] the network assigned her to play one of the main characters in the series, as birthmother of Mona Louise Rey's character.[21] In one of her interviews, Reyes said that it's her first time to play a mother role on TV but she doesn't mind doing it as long as the story is good and the character, as well.[4] Meanwhile, Trinidad is all praise for his screen partner, said that Reyes is nice and very committed. "And I think, it’s gonna be a good partnership for the show and, you know, with the whole cast, story, and the script, it’s so exciting. Very fast-paced", he added.
The dark forces or the main antagonists of the story are portrayed by Angelika dela Cruz, Gardo Versoza, Gwen Zamora and Paolo Contis. Dela Cruz was cast as Bulan, an evil witch and the leader of the syndicate; Versoza playing Kanlaon, the king of the manananggals; Zamora playing the role of Anaira, an evil mermaid; while Contis playing the role of Sento, the leader of the tikbalangs.[22][23]
Rafael Rosell had a guest role in the series. He played Anton, the man who saved LJ Reyes' character from the wrath of manananggals. This served as his first project in GMA Network.[24]
Pen Medina was cast as mother Ben, an elderly gay and the adoptive parent to the lead character. Originally, the role was offered to Eddie Garcia but due to health concern,[25] Garcia later requested the producers to give him less time-demanding character. He portrayed the role of Supremo, instead.[26]
According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Aso ni San Roque earned a 26.2% rating.[27] While the final episode scored a 24.2% rating.[28]
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