Bituin

Bituin (international title: Star) is a Philippine television drama series broadcast by ABS-CBN. Starring Carol Banawa, Desiree del Valle, Nora Aunor and Cherie Gil. It aired on the network's Teleserye Primetime Bida line up from September 23, 2002 to May 23, 2003, replacing Pangako Sa 'Yo and was replaced by Basta't Kasama Kita.

Premise
Laura Sandoval and Carmela Gaston are half sisters who grew up with Carmela's mom (Doña Virginia Gaston) not treating Laura right. When they grew older Carmela doesn't marry while Laura marries Badong. After their second child, she found out he had been cheating on her.

As a single mother she was struggling to support her two daughters Melody and Bernadette. When her eldest Melody becomes sick, Laura goes to Carmela asking for help, who says that she will help if she hands over Bernadette so she may raise her as her own. With no one left to turn to Laura does it.

Carmela left for the United States to raise Bernadette and soon returns as a singer. In a concert, Laura knew their whereabouts. The kids grow up not knowing they are sisters. Melody notices that Laura is much closer to Bernadette, such as Laura teaching Bernadette to sing when she forbids Melody to do so. Bernadette becomes a star by recording Melody's voice and claiming it as her own. Both soon become singers. Melody finds her father and wins the heart of a young man named Dante.

In the end they all become a family: Badong and Laura find their love again, Carmela is no longer jealous of her sister, Doña Virginia gave the rightful will of her husband to Laura, Melody is a great singer and marries Josh Santana who is her singing partner, and Bernadette becomes a famous composer, especially the song she composed for her sister as a way to show she was sorry called "Sana Bukas"; she marries Dante, whom she fell in love with accidentally when she tried to help him win Melody's heart.

Main cast

 * Nora Aunor as Laura Sandoval
 * Cherie Gil † as Carmela Gaston
 * Carol Banawa as Melody Sandoval
 * Kristel Fulgar as young Melody
 * Desiree del Valle as Bernadette Gaston
 * Eliza Pineda as young Bernadette
 * Carlo Muñoz as Dante
 * Michael Santana as Josh Santana
 * Michael de Mesa as Salvador Sandoval
 * Gardo Versoza as Diony
 * Cherry Pie Picache as Olivia
 * Celia Rodriguez as Doña Virginia Gaston
 * Jessa Zaragoza as Sultanna Andromeda "Andromeda"-left the series during her pregnancy and taped her finale episodes
 * Ronaldo Valdez as Amante Montesilverio
 * Chat Silayan † as Elvira Montesilverio
 * Tess Aquino as Madonna
 * Frank Garcia as Alex Montesilverio
 * Geoff Rodriguez as Dave Montesilverio
 * Kuh Ledesma as Lyrica Luna

Supporting cast

 * Efren Reyes Jr. as Arnel
 * Ricardo Cepeda as Conrado
 * Emilio Garcia as Ernesto
 * Lui Villaruz as Boom
 * John Apacible † as Willy
 * Perla Bautista as Ofelia
 * Rodel Velayo as Jimmy
 * Camille Prats as Lovelyn Gaston
 * Mat Ranillo III as Filemon Gaston
 * Sylvia Sanchez as Eva
 * Tado † as King
 * John Lapus as Queenie
 * Harlene Bautista as Tootsie
 * Rochelle Barrameda as Leila
 * Anita Linda † as Rustica
 * Jestoni Alarcon as Bienvenido Galang
 * Gigette Reyes as Dra. Reyes
 * Julia Clarete as Agnes Gandoza
 * Romnick Sarmenta as Pepito
 * Camilla Villamil as Melai

Cameo appearances

 * John Lloyd Cruz as Atty. Yuri Orbida (from the character of Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay)
 * Bea Alonzo as Atty. Kathrina Argos (from the character of Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay)
 * Kris Aquino
 * Boy Abunda
 * Ogie Diaz as Ogie
 * Carlos Agassi
 * Robert Seña
 * John Lesaca
 * Dessa
 * Franco Laurel
 * Divo Bayer
 * Cooky Chua
 * Agot Isidro
 * Julius Babao
 * Christine Bersola-Babao
 * Edu Manzano
 * Julio Diaz
 * Tirso Cruz III
 * Dolly de Leon
 * Randy Santiago
 * Bayani Agbayani
 * Willie Revillame
 * Ai-Ai Delas Alas

Reception
This was Nora Aunor's acting comeback after her shortlived stint on the series "Nora", a drama anthology that launched the second incarnation “Star Drama Anthology”. The series also launched the careers of Carol Banawa and Desiree Del Valle who played supporting roles in various TV and films. Senior stars such as Chat Silayan, Ronaldo Valdez and Celia Rodriguez and Cherie Gil played big roles in the series varying away from films.

Ratings
Its highest rating was 48.7% for the "Ultimate Showdown: The Diva VS The Supernova" of Melody and Bernadette at the Araneta Coliseum, while the lowest was 29.5%, its fifth episode.

In 2002, the series aired as the first line up of Teleserye Primetime Bida at 7:00 PM, followed up by Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka (until February 14, 2003), Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay and Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan (until February 28, 2003).