Amaya (TV series)

Amaya (Baybayin: ᜀᜋᜌ) is a Philippine television drama historical series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Mac Alejandre, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role. The series is set in the pre-colonial period of the 1500s. It premiered on May 30, 2011 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing I Heart You, Pare!. The series concluded on January 13, 2012 with a total of 165 episodes. It was replaced by Legacy in its timeslot.

The series is streaming online on YouTube.

Premise
Amaya, born in the reign of Rajah Mangubat and as the daughter Datu Bugna, she is a "binukot" - a hidden princess and can't step on ground. Born with a twin snake, a secret hidden by his father to keep her away from danger. Due to having a twin snake, her destiny is to become the savior of her land against Rajah Mangubat.

Cast and characters

 * Lead cast
 * Marian Rivera as Bai Amaya


 * Supporting cast
 * Sid Lucero as Bagani
 * Mikael Daez as Lumad
 * Gina Alajar as Dian Lamitan
 * Lani Mercado as Dal'lang
 * Gardo Versoza as Rajah Mangubat
 * Raymond Bagatsing as Datu Bugna
 * Glaiza de Castro as Bai Binayaan / Yang Tersayang
 * Ryan Eigenmann as Angaway
 * Rochelle Pangilinan as Bai Marikit
 * Irma Adlawan as Bai Mantal
 * Ana Capri as Agang
 * Roy Alvarez as Awi
 * Ayen Munji-Laurel as Hara Lingayan
 * Buboy Villar as Banuk
 * Sheena Halili as Ahak
 * Roxanne Barcelo as Kayang
 * Mon Confiado as Songil
 * AJ Dee as Paratawag
 * Robert Sy as Paragahin
 * Mia Pangyarihan as Silay
 * Ana Feleo as Bayang


 * Recurring cast
 * Angie Ferro as Uray Hilway
 * Maybelline dela Cruz as Baylan Asinas
 * Diana Zubiri as Kapid
 * Dion Ignacio as Kuling


 * Guest cast
 * Edelweiss Tuzon as younger Amaya
 * Byron Ortile as younger Bagani
 * Carlo Lacana as teenage Bagani
 * Francis Magundayao as teenage Angaway
 * Kate Velarde as young Marikit
 * Francheska Salcedo as younger Binayaan
 * Julian Trono as younger Rajah Mangubat
 * Abby Bautista as Alunsina
 * Yasmien Kurdi as Apila
 * Ronnie Lazaro as Posaka
 * Daniel Fernando as Atubang
 * Juan Rodrigo as Datu Pulahan
 * Leopoldo Wendell Salgado as Banu
 * Edgar Manuel as Waba
 * Jan Manual as Usbog
 * Tanya Garcia as Pandaki
 * Aubrey Miles as Magwayen
 * Pancho Magno as Agul
 * Aljur Abrenica as Dayaw
 * Rocco Nacino as older Banuk
 * Kris Bernal as older Alunsina
 * Dingdong Dantes as Ferdinand Magellan

Casting
In September 2011, Aljur Abrenica, Ronnie Lazaro and Yasmien Kurdi joined the series.

Production
Principal photography commenced in March 2011. Filming concluded in January 2012. The series was extended until January 13, 2012.

Before the series started, a one-hour primer titled Amaya: The Making of An Epic was aired on May 28, 2011. The show was hosted by Cesar Montano and Miguel Tanfelix, it presented behind the scenes of Amaya from the brainstorming of the management including interviews from Jun Lana and Doctolero, the creative minds behind the story with the guidance of historians from the University of the Philippines.

Accolades
Amaya is promoted by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Department of Education due to its cultural concept that shows and depicts the Filipino material culture, beliefs, traditions and mores in the Pre-Hispanic era. It also teaches the history of the Philippines by means of epics and legends passed as oral literature through generations. The show's creators relied heavily on classic Philippine history reference materials such as the Boxer Codex, an early pictographic account of Filipino culture and physical appearances around the time the Spaniards began colonizing the islands. Historical references include the names of the characters in the series, such as Alunsina, from the epics Hinilawod and the Labaw Donggon.
 * National Historical Commission of the Philippines and Department of Education

Amaya was recognized by the Meycauayan Jewelry Industry Association, Inc., an organization composed of 135 jewellers in Meycauayan, Bulacan, for the promotion of the country's rich jewelry-making heritage. Apart from Filipino customs and traditions, the series also features native costumes and jewelry patterned after the popular designs of the era. Most of the jewelries in the series were crafted by jewellers from Meycauayan, Bulacan.
 * Meycauayan Jewelry Industry Association, Inc.

Ratings
According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Amaya earned a 26.2% rating. While the final episode scored a 32.7% rating.