Aryana (TV series)

Aryana is a 2012 Philippine fantasy drama television series starring Ella Cruz in her first leading role. The series premiered on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida evening block from May 7, 2012 to January 25, 2013, replacing Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin and was replaced by Kahit Konting Pagtingin.

Synopsis
Aryana narrates the journey of a girl as she struggles in the awkward but exciting adolescent stage while trying to escape her inevitable destiny as a mermaid on her fourteenth birthday.

Two mothers from entirely different worlds play major roles in the story. Ofelia is a human, who struggles for the acceptance of her mother-in-law, and hopes that with the birth of her daughter she will gain the happiness of her husband's family. Neptuna, an adult mermaid with a bright orange-and-gold scaly fish tail whose pure and strong motherly love for her daughter, Perlita, knows no bounds and will do anything to make sure she is safe and happy. Perlita was fascinated with humans and dreams of living happily with them, often going near the seashore to watch the humans. She even once stole the mystical pearl that can transform a mermaid into a human and back at will. Unfortunately, when she went near the seashore to watch humans who were playing with firecrackers, a drunken villager carried a dynamite. Victor, Ofelia's husband, confronts him and unknowingly throws the dynamite into the part of the sea where Perlita was hiding. Neptuna went to warn her daughter, but was not able to make it in time. Thus, she saw the death of her dearly beloved daughter and angrily promises to do everything she can to make Victor and Ofelia feel the intense pain and sorrow of losing their own beloved daughter. Ofelia and Victor's child, whom they named Aryana, was then born. As Ofelia was hoping for, she gained the acceptance of her mother-in-law.

During Aryana's baptismal celebration, Neptuna (as a human woman) steals newborn Aryana, raising her as her own daughter for a while until she discovered that she cannot make Aryana a complete mermaid unless her mother gives her to her willingly. The presumed loss of their daughter caused Victor and Ofelia's family to break up. Neptuna reluctantly gave Aryana back to Ofelia with the agreement that on Aryana's fourteenth birthday she must give her back to her. Ofelia desperately accepts, and with no intention of giving her daughter back, she runs away from their seaside village and goes to the urban city to forget about the mermaid curse on her daughter, just as Neptuna thought she would. Every day, Ofelia gets a reminder that her daughter is and will forever belong to the sea when she turns fourteen. Aryana, who does not know that she is forever cursed to become a mermaid, lives out her dream of being a professional swimmer or dancer; unaware of her inherent abilities over water. As she faces her fate of becoming a mermaid, Aryana is torn between choosing the sea and the surface world of humans where her heart belongs.

Main cast

 * Ella Cruz as Aryana Capuyao-Mendez
 * Dexie Daulat as young Aryana
 * Francis Magundayao as Adrian "Ian" Alejandro
 * Elijah Magundayao as young Ian
 * Paul Salas as Marlon Salvador
 * Kristoff Meneses as young Marlon
 * Dominic Roque as Hubert Francisco
 * Michelle Vito as Megan Cervantes
 * Alyanna Angeles young Megan

Supporting cast

 * Pokwang as Ofelia Capuyao-Mendez
 * Tonton Gutierrez as Victor Mendez
 * Desiree del Valle as Neptuna
 * G. Toengi as Stella Cervantes
 * Laurice Guillen as Elnora Mendez
 * Bianca Manalo as Carlina Suarez
 * Tetchie Agbayani as Reyna Yasmin
 * Neil Coleta as Andoy Capuyao
 * Maliksi Morales as young Andoy
 * Carlo Lacana as teenage Andoy
 * Lotlot de Leon as Rosita Salvador
 * Louise Abuel as Miko Salvador
 * David Chua as Melvin Abad
 * Quintin Alianza as young Melvin
 * Yong An Chiu as teenage Melvin
 * Eunice Lagusad as Elizabeth "Bebet" Teves
 * Mel Kimura as Sylvia "Ibiang" Francisco
 * Andre Tiangco as Anton
 * Celine Lim as Trisha Reyes
 * Noemi Oineza as Chelsea Montes
 * Vanjo Cuenca as Aries Ocampo
 * Lander Vera Perez as Rick Alejandro
 * Richard Quan as Jason Cervantes
 * Michael Conan as Allan
 * Boom Labrusca as Tilapio
 * Chokoleit as Dikya
 * Marvin Yap as Pla Pla
 * Badjie Mortiz as Bisugo

Guest cast

 * Jane Oineza as Perlita
 * Edgar Sandalo as Badong
 * Kurt Del Rosario as Ruben

Production
In an interview on August 13, 2012, Ella Cruz announced the extension of the hit series until January 2013 due to its success on its timeslot. It was part of the 2012 primetime block which includes Princess and I, Walang Hanggan, Ina, Kapatid, Anak and Kahit Puso'y Masugatan. It airs at 5:45 pm before its nightly news program TV Patrol, and internationally on TFC.