Ready to make a splash

She is the most beautiful, the most captivating, and the first-ever mermaid to conquer the hearts of Filipinos. This summer, she will swim her way to the small screen to give the new generation a chance to explore, not only her colorful world under the sea, but also her breathtaking adventures above water. This 2008, GMA-7 launches with pride the most anticipated and most extravagant serialization of the original Pinay mermaid—“Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel.” Press release and photos courtesy of GMA Network. Additional text and interviews by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Reunited Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel boasts of an enchanting storyline with a powerhouse cast led by the country’s most celebrated and most sought-after love team today: Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Primetime Hunk Dingdong Dantes plays the role of Fredo, a multimedia mogul so full of himself, while versatile actress Marian Rivera portrays Dyesebel, the prettiest and most adventurous mermaid who will conquer everything in the name of love. Marian and direk Joyce Bernal agree that Dyesebel’s character is extremely close to Marian’s personality. Like the mythical mermaid, Marian is “kalog,” fun-loving, and “pilya.” Marian adds with a laugh, “Sa madaling salita, pasaway siya!” If Marian is like Dyesebel, is it the same case for Dingdong and Fredo? “Sa masungit na [personality], hindi! Yung similar trait lang siguro is the focus,” says Dingdong. “Business-minded [siya], alam niya gusto niya, pero bukod doon, wala na. Si Fredo kasi is a perfectionist. Kaunting mali [lang], he gets angry [already]. Lalambot lang ang puso niya pag nakilala niya si Dyesebel.” Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel is one of the classic comic book creations of Mars Ravelo which was adapted into numerous movies since 1953. Marian’s versatility as an actress will be tested as she gives a fresh take to this much-coveted role which also aims to separate her from her character of MariMar, the phenomenal series that launched her to stardom. Marian admits that differentiating Dyesebel from MariMar was no easy feat. “Talagang hindi biro na sabihin na hindi kami nahirapan sa paglayo ng character sa natapos namin,” she says. “Kasi doon sa natapos ko, lahat na yata ng attitude e nagawa ko na. Lahat ng tono ng boses nagawa ko na [rin]. So this time, talagang naga-adjust kami kaya nagwo-workshop kami para maiba naman siya.” The cast Joining Dingdong and Marian in this grand telefantasya are well-respected artists in the entertainment industry like Rufa Mae Quinto, Ricky Davao, Alfred Vargas, Mylene Dizon, Lotlot de Leon, Luis Alandy, Marco Alcaraz, Teri Onor, Paolo Ballesteros and Ms. Jean Garcia. Also featured in Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel are Aljur Abrenica, Bianca King, Michelle Madrigal, Kris Bernal and Hero Angeles, together with Charlotte Hermoso and Filiberto Nepomuceno. Furthermore, it will have the special participation of Wendell Ramos, Chanda Romero, Chinggoy Alonzo, Andrea del Rosario, and Jen Rosendahl. The tale The story of Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel begins when human Lucia (Jean Garcia) delivers a beautiful yet unusual baby girl; unusual because, unlike normal babies, Lucia’s child is born with fins for legs. The child is called Dyesebel. And although surprised by their daughter’s strange form, Lucia and her husband Tonio (Wendell Ramos) promise to love their child no matter what. But in no time at all, their neighbors discover the couple’s secret. And when the community is hit with a series of catastrophes, the town believes that the anomaly that is Dyesebel is to blame; an accusation that leads Lucia to offer her only daughter to the sea, where she would fit better. Unknown to Lucia, it is at the heart of the sea that Dyesebel’s adventures and misfortunes will begin, and it is within the confines of the waters that Dyesebel will lead a new life—a journey that would take her to the depths of the sea, as well as to the chaos of the city. With directors Ms. Joyce Bernal and Don Michael Perez at the helm, Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel is certainly proud of its world-class production. From the enthralling story to the state-of-the-art production design created by Rodell Cruz, extraordinary costumes made by Bill Gustillo, and spectacular visual effects by Riot, Inc. Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel also boasts of its underwater scenes shot by the remarkable team of Marissa Florendo, as well as the show’s breathtaking locations in Palawan, Bataan and Batangas. Dyesebel’s theme song “Aking Mundo” is performed by Sugarpop’s Julie Ann San Jose. Marian hopes for the best in this new endeavor and stresses that the cast’s main concern is to produce something everyone will love and enoy. “Ayokong mag-expect, e. Ang lagi lang namin sinasabi ng cast, basta mapaganda siya, sana magustuhan ulit siya, at mahalin ulit siya ng mga tao. Yun lang yung mahalaga sa amin na mapasaya ulit yung manonood sa ginagawa naming soap opera na ito.” Direk Joyce adds, “Gusto kong ibaba yung expectations, pero [people] have that [already], coming from MariMar. [But] I cannot repeat it; this is not the sequel of MariMar. This is another project. Pero paano ko gagawin iyon? It’s really my quest, my vision, my struggle [to make this different].” Don’t miss the grand adventures of the mermaid whose dreams are about to take her into new worlds! Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel airs weeknights on GMA Telebabad starting Monday, April 28, 2008. Talk about Dyesebel in its iGMA Forum thread! More about the mermaid: Showbiz Central: Dyesebel is unveiled to the public Showbiz Central: Marian begins training for Dyesebel Chika Minute: Marian and Dingdong prepare for Dysebel