Well, that’s how the world turns in showbiz. You never know what’s gonna happen next. GMA-7 is optimistic that “Mulawin Vs. Ravena” will maintain or even exceed the high ratings of the show it will replace, “Encantadia” (another fantasy reboot). “Mulawin” has a connection with “Encantadia” since its setting is in Mt. Apo, which is found in the mountains of Encantadia. In their mythos, the supreme god is Mandarangan (Joel Torre) whose wife is Sandawa (Regine Velasquez.)
They have four children: Magindara, protector of water; Lumad, protector of land; Ravemus,caretaker of fire; and Dakila, guardian of the air. Lumad (Jay Manalo) marries a human and chooses to be a mortal, establishing a tribe of nature-loving men who’d be called Lumads. Magindara (Lovi Poe) is a mermaid guarding the waters.
Dakila (Romnick Sarmenta) establishes a kingdom of bird people in Avila, the highest point in Mt. Apo, and they call themselves Mulawin. Ravemus (Antonio Aquitania) has his own tribe called Ravena with their own kingdom called Halconia near a fiery volcano. Mulawins and Ravenas are at war with each other because of their past history of love affairs with human beings, resulting in Alwina (half human and half Mulawin) and Gabriel (half human and half Ravena.) This made them mortals like humans. In the new show, the quest is for them to become all immortals once again.
Dennis is the only cast member retained from the original “Mulawin”. Most of his past co-stars have moved to ABS, like Richard, Angel Locsin and Bianca King. He now plays Haring Gabriel, the King of Halconia. He falls in love with Lovi Poe as Magindara and they will have a child.
The show’s younger cast members include Derrick Monasterio as Almiro, son of Alwina and Aguiluz who’ll be the new Sugo of the Mulawin clan; Bea Binene as Anya, daughter of Aviona and Rodrigo; Miguel Tanfelix as Pagaspas, a Mulawin who can turn into an owl and was a child actor in the original show; Bianca Umali as Lawiswis, a Mulawin who can turn into a parrot; and Kiko Estrada as Rafael, the human friend of Derrick.
The supporting cast includes Roi Vinzon as Daragit, eldest leader of the Mulawins who has evil motives; Valerie Concepcion as Tuka, adoptive mom of Pagaspas; Chynna Ortaleza as Rashana, ambitious wife of Gabriel and greedy queen of Halconia; Winwyn Marquez as Ribay, Chynna’s second in command; TJ Trinidad as Greco, Gabriel’s right hand man who is the lover of Chynna; Dion Ignacio as Siklab, a Ravena named after Pirena’s battle sword; Charee Pineda as Donya Savana, a human and arrogant owner of Hacienda Montenegro; Angelu de Leon as Lourdes, adoptive mother of Alwina.
Playing special roles in the big star-studded cast are Heart Evangelista as Alwina, the original Sugo; Carla Abellana as Aviona, mother of Anya; Tom Rodriguez as Rodrigo Montenegro, father of Anya; Ariel Rivera as Panabon, the new love interest of Regine Velasquez; Alden Richards as Lakan, 5th king of the Mulawins; Nova Villa as Lola Elo who adopts Almiro in the mortal world; Louise de los Reyes as Maya, sister of Lakan; Maine Mendoza as Rebecca, Lakan’s sweetheart in the mortal world; Ara Mina as Vultra, Joko Diaz as Antonio, Rita de Guzman as Odessa, Bobby Andrews as Dionisio, Bryan Benedict as Ningas, David Licauco as Malik.
Going back to Dennis Trillo as the main star in “Mulawin Vs. Ravenna”, there are speculations that he is soon tying the knot with "nakabalikan GF" Jennylyn Mercado as he’s often seen jamming with Jen and her father who came home from Korea. Someone even wrote Dennis already made “pamanhikan” for formality’s sake when he celebrated his birthday on May 11 that their respective families were all together. How true is this?
“Walang ganun,” he says. “Pareho kaming very busy sa aming respective careers dahil pareho kaming may bagong show. Basta sa ngayon, all I can say is masaya lang kami. Life is short, so we should all be just happy.”
So it’s true that love is lovelier the second time around for them? “Yes, totoo yan. I know another couple na ganun din ang nangyari sa kanila. Hindi naman nakakapagtaka kasi mas kilala na namin ang isa’t isa at nakakatulong yun in any relationship para maiwasan nyo ang inyong past mistakes.”
Dennis and Jen are now the real power couple of GMA as each of them topbill their own primetime shows that will both start soon. Dennis is in “Mulawin Vs. Ravena” while Jen is in “My Love from the Star” that will replace “Destined to Be Yours” starting May 29.
