‘Darna’ is Uncle Mars’ most enduring creation
Late last year, the Cultural Center of the Philippines paid tribute to Mars Ravelo and as expected the Pinay superwoman Darna was the most talked about. Understandable as Darna is the most enduring creation of Uncle Mars, as the komiks novelist was fondly called.
Contrary to some beliefs, Darna was not patterned after America’s Wonder Woman. Darna was inspired by Uncle Mars’ very own mother, whom he considered a superwoman.
Darna first appeared, more aptly soared, on the pages of Pilipino Komiks in 1950, becoming an instant bestseller.
In 1952, the great actress and movie queen Rosa del Rosario played Darna on the big screen, first as the arch enemy of the snakewoman Valentina (Cristina Aragon) and as the nemesis of Babaing Lawin (Elvita Reyes) in the second Darna.
Other actresses played Darna on the big screen. In no particular order, Vilma Santos, Liza Moreno, Gina Pareño, Eva Montes, Nanette Medved, Anjanette Abayari. On television, Angel Locsin, and Marian Rivera portrayed Darna.
Uncle Mars popularized other komiks characters like Dyesebel, Bondying, Maruja, Captain Barbell, Jack en Jill, among others. But as earlier noted, Darna remains his most enduring creation.
To date, there are plans to do another Darna on the big screen.— RKC
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