“Ako, may suot na bra,” says her foster mom, Ai Ai de las Alas. “Pero, si Anne, wala talaga maliban dun sa mga kaliskis.”
Her promotional fotos showing her lying on the beach, taken by Marc Nicdao, show that this is true. We just don’t know if the MTRCB would allow it. They have also taken liberties in changing the story. In the original komiks story by the late Mars Ravelo, the parents of Dyesebel are both human. Her mom took a certain liking for the calendar painting of a mermaid when she’s pregnant with Dyesebel. When her daughter comes out, the little baby has a fish tail and was considered a “salot” by the people in their seaside community.
In the latest revival of the iconic “mermaid”, Dyesebel is not “pinaglihi” sa sirena. Her dad, Albert Martinez, is a merman, while her mom, Dawn Zulueta, is a human. This is just like in “Kambal Sirena” where the mom, Mickey Ferriols, is also human and the dad, Yul Servo, is also a merman who lives in an under the sea kingdom, Serenadia.
Anne’s “Dyesebel” is the second time it’s serialized on TV. The first one was on GMA-7 starring Marian Rivera in 2008. On the screen, it has had six versions, but the best for us is still the original Gerry de Leon version in 1953 with Edna Luna as Dyesebel and Jaime de la Rosa as Fredo. It has a volcanic eruption sequence that is beautifully staged and the theme song is the most haunting so far, “Bakit Kaya?”
Anne is supported by a powerhouse cast, led by Sam Milby and Gerald Anderson as her leading men, Dawn Zulueta, Albert Martinez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gabby Concepcion, Ai Ai delas Alas, and Eula Valdez. It will start airing on Primetime Bida starting this Monday, March 17. Directed by Don Cuaresma and Francis Pasion.
