Marimar (2007 TV series)

Marimar is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a 1994 Mexican television series of the same title. Directed by Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role and Dingdong Dantes. It premiered on August 13, 2007 on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on March 14, 2008 with a total of 155 episodes.

The series was released on DVD by GMA Records.

Cast and characters

 * Lead cast
 * Marian Rivera as Marimar Perez-Santibañez / Bella Aldama
 * Dingdong Dantes as Sergio Santibañez


 * Supporting cast
 * Katrina Halili as Angelika Santibañez / Angelika Aldama
 * Richard Gomez as Renato Santibañez
 * Jestoni Alarcon as Gustavo Aldama
 * Rita Avila as Lupita Aldama
 * Boboy Garovillo as Padre Porres
 * Leo Martinez as Pancho Perez
 * Caridad Sanchez as Cruz Perez
 * Bing Loyzaga as Esperanza Aldama
 * Michael V. as Fulgoso's voice
 * Nigel as Fulgoso
 * Manilyn Reynes as Corazon
 * Gabby Eigenmann as Nicandro Mejia
 * Sheena Halili as Monica
 * Bianca King as Natalia Montenegro
 * Marky Lopez as Arturo
 * Rufa Mae Quinto as Fifi's voice
 * Nadine Samonte as Innocencia Arcega
 * Mike Tan as Choi
 * Mel Kimura as Perfecta


 * Recurring cast
 * Arthur Solinap as Diego
 * Marvin Agustin as Rodolfo San Jinez
 * Francheska Salcedo as Cruzita Aldama–Santibañez
 * Dino Guevarra as Antonio
 * Carmina Villaroel as Rhia Concepcion
 * Lani Mercado as Vanessa Mae Cruz
 * Hayden Kho, Jr. as Hayden Miranda
 * Paolo Paraiso as Carlitos Solis
 * Shermaine Santiago as Brenda
 * Victor Aliwalas as Adrian Alasco
 * K Brosas as Rowena
 * Pocholo Montes as Vitug
 * Raquel Montessa as Leonor Arcega
 * Joseph Ison as Rodrigo
 * Mike Gayoso as Angelika's bodyguard


 * Guest cast
 * Jaime Fabregas as Augusto Aldama
 * Pilar Pilapil as Dolores Aldama
 * Cristine Reyes as Kim Chan
 * Irma Adlawan as Selva
 * Soliman Cruz as Berto
 * Bruno Folster as Bruno
 * Gwen Garci as Olga
 * Ailyn Luna as Cecilla
 * Jan Marini as a DSWD officer
 * Kirby de Jesus as a mental hospital patient
 * Joanne Quintas as Jemma
 * Ronnie Lazaro as Jose
 * Nicole Dulalia as younger Angelika
 * Ella Cruz as younger Marimar

Background
Marimar was a Mexican TV telenovela that was first aired in 1994 on Televisa with singer-actress Thalía in the title role. The series had 75 forty-five-minute episodes, and is the second part of a "Maria" trilogy. The first was Maria Mercedes, and the final was Maria la del Barrio.

Casting
The contract with Televisa for the rights stipulates that GMA Network should start the series in 2007. It was originally offered to Angel Locsin, as a follow-up to the big-budgeted action series Asian Treasures with Robin Padilla. However, Locsin rejected the offer. The network was prompted to give auditions to their roster of young actresses for the role. On March 13, 2008, a video of the fifteen actresses who auditioned for the role of Marimar leaked on YouTube. These actresses are Bianca King, Nadine Samonte, Jennylyn Mercado, Ryza Cenon, Jewel Mische, LJ Reyes, Rhian Ramos, Camille Prats, Pauleen Luna, Katrina Halili, Valerie Concepcion, Nancy Castiglione, Cheska Garcia and Karylle.

The role went to Marian Rivera, who beat her closest rival for the role, Jennylyn Mercado. Actresses who took part in the audition also landed supporting roles in the series. The role of Angelika Santibanez went first to Bing Loyzaga and later to Katrina Halili. The role of Natalia and Inocencia went to Bianca King and Nadine Samonte respectively.

Production
Principal photography commenced in July 2007 in Zambales. Filming concluded on March 7, 2008.

Farewell special
A farewell special, "Marimar: Isang Pasasalamat" aired on March 9, 2008.

Ratings
According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Marimar earned a 36.6% rating. While the final episode scored a 52.6% rating which is the series' highest rating.