A Filipino heroine celebrates the 50 years she has been fighting crime and winning the hearts of comic book readers and moviegoers

During our childhood days, almost all of us had a superhero to idolize and look up to. The characters portrayed in foreign comics and animation were famous choices but for those exposed to local comics, a very popular heroine was Darna.

While the late 1900s generation witnessed Darna as a blockbuster film heroine, the character's beginnings can be traced as far back as 1947, when Mars Ravelo and Nestor Redondo conceptualized "Varga" for Bulaklak comics/magazine. But when Ravelo had to move to another publishing company, the name Varga was left to Bulaklak. Later on, the same character was resurrected in Pilipino Comics as "Darna".

A recent exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines showcased the history of this flying female crime fighter and its creator, Marcial "Mars" Ravelo. Gintong Darna was one of the choice exhibits slated for the Sangandaan 2003, a commemorative festival of Filipino-American relations.

Darna became a Filipino cultural icon during the aftermath of World War II, when the country was still struggling after the said devastation. The character of Darna proved to be a good "salve" to an escapist people looking for a champion.

Aside from prints of Darna and Ravelo's awards, the exhibit also featured prints of Darna's enemies, mostly women, of all varieties. Remember Impakta, ang Babaeng Tuod, Dyangga and Babaeng Lawin? And of course who can forget Darna's archrival, the snake-haired woman Valentina?

Darna's author/creator, Mars Ravelo, was a versatile artist who also dabbled in writing. Among his early works was the comic series "Rita". He also spawned graphic novels such as Hiwaga, Maruja, Roberta and Jack and Jill.

As a writer, he became a novelist and later on the editor-in-chief for two major publication houses and film companies. He tackled the issues of incest, child abuse and homosexuality in his works, even if such issues were still a big taboo during his time.

Aside from Darna, other characters created by Ravelo are Dyesebel, the love-lorn mermaid; Captain Barbel, the superhero; Lastikman, the Filipino version of America's Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four; and Bondying, the childish acting man.

While he was at the peak of his success, the cartoon artist established his own company, the RAR, where he was able to create more masterpieces in the name of art and literature.

One of the most important highlights in Darna's history was when the heroine found her way into Philippine movies. The exhibit pointed out that the Mars Ravelo's creation was the "most profitable and popular franchise that it was made into film 15 times".

The first ever actress to play the role of Darna was Rosa del Rosario. Other actresses who filled in the role were Sharon Cuneta (guesting as Darna in the movie of Captain Barbel), Lorna Tolentino (for a Darna TV series), Eva Montes (for "Darna at ang Babaeng Tuod"), Rio Locsin (for "Bira Darna, Bira"), Gina Pareno (for "Si Darna at ang Planetman"), Anjanette Abayari (for "Darna, ang Pagbabalik) as well as Nanette Medved. On the other hand, Vilma Santos was cast into the role for four Darna movies.

This year marks Darna's golden anniversary. Sponsoring the Gintong Darna exhibit were the heirs of Mars Ravelo, who now oversee the reproduction of the Darna comic series. Mango Comics was given the right to publish the special revival edition.

Mango's rendition of Darna was made more visually appealing, with the help of fast-paced computers aiding the editing and coloring jobs. The creative team behind Mango Comics has made Darna into a stronger, sexier and faster character while Darna's archenemy Valentina, was portrayed as chic and meaner in this updated version of the classic comic series.

The transition of Darna from the mid-1900s to the 21st century is a milestone in the Philippine comic industry as well as in literature. With the introduction of animé-style art, it is refreshing to see our well-loved Darna rendered more Filipino and soaring higher even in this generation.

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Summary of Darna Episode 4

Voices wake up Narda. She sees a grown-up Ding, a young boy, and her grandma smiling at her. She asks what time it is and they tell her. She jumps out of bed for fear of the market vendor she works for.

Ding tells the little boy about the giant snake. He tells the boy he was just a baby when it happened so he doesn’t remember. The boy is somewhat incredulous.

Narda gets dressed and hurries on the way to the marketplace. She bumps into a veiled old woman. Later she passes by Oscar, the crazy homeless bum. She also meets a lady security guard who is her friend.

Narda notices a giant billboard that displays the face of Valentian.

Aling Echeng scolds Narda for being late. She reminds Narda she always gave a loan to her grandma and this is the old woman’s way of repaying her. She reproaches Narda for giving a customer less meat than was weighed on the scales. She says people will think they’re cheating. Narda mumbles an apology. The woman says it wasn’t a good idea to get free labor from Narda as payment. A young man chopping meat nearby keeps looking at Narda. Narda hears the name Efren and is absent-minded. Aling Echeng nudges her and tells her to go back to work.

Valentina is now a leading fashion model. Her face can be seen everywhere in magazines and TV screens. On the set, she is a prima donna. She scolds the crew on petty matters. But she smiles at the handsome photographer there. He is Efren.

At night, Narda is a janitress. Her boss reminds her being late a third time will get her fired. She says sorry. The boss, a kinder woman than Echeng, says maybe Narda is overworked. Narda says she has to work hard; her family relies on her.

Narda hears co-workers talking about the people’s need for a superhero.

The dark man in a cloak awakens Braguda. She is in a cocoon. It falls from a tree and opens. Braguda rises and announces the time has come. She tells her subordinate that this is a special time. She says the planets have lined themselves. She says the real battle has begun and the power challenging her is also from Planet Marte. The dark man is confident. Braguda tells him not to be stupid.

Oscar the taong grasa comes to his daughter’s old home and begs to be allowed to see her. A man meets him at the gate and tells him to go away. He says Agens, Oscar’s daughter, is gone and doesn’t want to be found. Oscar recalls how he maltreated his daughter and how she left him. He blames himself.

Oscar returns to his filthy den where he talks to the insects and rodents. He tells his pets that they will be giving “them” a surprise. He loads a .45 caliber pistol.

At night, Narda passes by Aio again. Aio says Narda’s goodness is admirable and the time has come. Narda asks what she means and if they each other. Aio leaves.

Narda walks alone that same night at the top of a building. Below her is the cityscape aglow with light. She looks at the mystic stone and wonders what it’s for. A voice tells her she is the sole heir of the powers of the Adranika. It says she must swallow the stone and shout the name written on it. The name “DARNA” flashes on the surface of the stone.

Narda wonders if she’s going insane. She swallows the stone and shouts the name. She spins and gets dizzy. She falls to ground and rises with new power. She has become Darna.

Summary of Darna Episode 8

Valentina enters with a gift for Irma, the building administrator. She says it’s because the latter has been good to her, and Valentina is good to those who are good to her. The model asks why Irma looks pale. She replies that it is hot. Valentina says she smells something familiar. She stoops low. Narda is hiding under the desk. Valentina leaves asking for news about Narda.

Valentina tells Prospera she is sure that smell was Narda’s. She says Irma must be a snake too. Prospera says it is a battle between two snakes. Valentina says wait and see who gets bitten first.

Louella takes Billy to go see Justin, her crush. Billy sneers and says Justin is a braggart. Louella says her crush is only misunderstood. Billy says there are other guys around but doesn’t say who; he adds she is blind and numb.

Jeric Trias’ boss reminds him of his ambition to become the leading reporter in his station, and that he wants to emerge out of his father’s shadow. Jeric admits this; his boss tells him to get him Darna then in an exclusive interview.

Minda and Narda talk about the Mambabarang. Minda says they have now been able identify him as a certain Oscar. She goes to Agnes’ house with Narda. Oscar is there in the garden hiding. Agnes doesn’t believe her father is the Mambabarang. She says he may be neglectful, but he cannot kill people. Narda asks if she’s not interested in knowing if their hunch is true. Agnes says no because it is impossible.

Oscar remembers how Agnes told him to get other animals for pets if he only wanted pets. Her son was bitten by a pet scorpion of his when Oscar was not looking. Agnes could not forgive him. She left him taking her other child with her. Oscar says everyone has left him. He says they must feel his wrath and that of his insect-friends.

Narda looks at the sky at night and reminds her grandmother the saying, when people die, they become stars. Milagros says her parents are watching over her now. Narda says her father isn’t because he can’t; he’s still alive and they will meet again one day.

Efren has flashbacks of covering a girl’s eyes with his hands. Valentina says this was her.

Valentina is angry at what she sees in the papers. Prospera asks if it’s Darna she’s mad at. The model says Darna seems to be more famous than her. Prospera asks if anyone can be more famous than her daughter. Valentina says no, but she feels Darna may have another identity, just like her. Prospera praises her for her intelligence. Valentina says she’s not intelligent until she finds out who Darna’s alter-ego is.

Narda leaves the magic stone among her things when her grandmother calls her. Later Milagros comes crying that Mang Lucio’s child has been attacked by insects. Narda goes to look for the stone but it is gone. She asks and looks frantically for it. They do not understand her panic. She says it is important to her. Finally they go to Lucio’s house. His child is dead and he laments that Darna did not show up.

Valentina quarrels with people on the set again. She belittles Anthony, the top fashion photographer in the country. She calls Sabrina a has-been. He walks out. Valentina says from now on she will shoot with only one photographer: Efren. Efren smiles sitting on a chair.

Aio appears to Narda and tells her she must find the stone. Narda says sorry and that she did not mean to lose it. Aio asks why she wasn’t careful. She says if it goes to the wrong hands, untold harm can happen. Narda asks what will happen if it is never found. The old woman says there will be no one left to defend the oppressed. Narda says she doesn’t want that to happen. She asks where the stone is.

Iking is playing with his friends. He rolls the stone and it falls into a crack in the pavement. The stone falls into the canal underground.

Insects attack anew. Jeric Trias reports that Darna seems to have abandoned her mission.

Narda goes home and Iking admits he was the one who took the stone. She says he knows where the stone is then. He goes to show her. Narda says she cannot see the stone down there. She sits by herself very sad, fearing the water has carried the stone away. Iking peers through the crack and sees the stone on a rock. Narda reaches down and gets it. She hugs Iking.

Milagros goes to a pawn shop to see how much she can get for a ring. She gets only 3,000 pesos but settles for it.

Police locate Oscar’s hideout and try to arrest him. They fire at him but he is not hurt. His insects attack them and he is gone.

On the way home, two thugs demand the money from Milagros. Oscar the Mambabarang appears and tells them to leave her alone. He strikes the ground with his staff and the insects sting the two thieves. He comes near Milagros and says he is helping her because she was kind to him. She recognizes him and asks why he is hurting people. She shrinks away. Darna arrives and Oscar is pleased to meet her at last.

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Darna Still Flying High

Text and photos by CHONA S. CHO

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