Marina (TV series)

Marina is the first fantasy series, a fantaserye, of Philippine media conglomerate ABS-CBN. It was aired on February 23, 2004 to November 12, 2004, starring drama actress Claudine Barretto.

Plot
Marina takes the viewer on the fairytale adventures of the mermaid Marina. Born as Cristina to human parents Esther and Elias, Marina falls victim to a curse by Victoria, a sea deity disguised as a normal woman. Seeking vengeance on Elias, who spurned her love and married Esther, Victoria cursed their daughter. In the hopes that Victoria would lift her curse on the child, Elias leaves Esther but eventually falls into insanity. Esther, on the other hand, was left to raise Cristina alone. When the curse came true and the child turned into a mermaid on her seventh birthday, Esther realized that Cristina's life would be endangered in their superstitious fishing village, where mermaids are believed to be unlucky. As such, Esther is forced to release Cristina in the sea, where she is found and cared for by the mermaids headed by Istah, their beauteous queen.

With the heart and mind of a human being, Cristina, now also known among the mermaids as Marina, dreams of nothing else but to walk again and live the life that was taken away from her. This is only possible through the sea witch Dugong. Marina seeks the help of Istah, who gives her a precious necklace to be offered to Dugong in exchange for her legs.

Marina became human again and returns to land to claim everything she has lost. However, she soon discovered that when the moon is full, she becomes a mermaid again, and that only true love's first kiss can free her from the curse. Dugong, on the other hand, learned that the powerful necklace of Istah was a trap. Donning the necklace, she discovered that she cannot remove it and, worse, suffers the same injuries Marina does.

Meanwhile, Dugong's mother and Victoria's aunt, Tandang Ella, pays a visit to Victoria. Dugong's mother trades the power of the Aram for a chance to see her daughter again. Dugong, having been separated from her mother since she was an egg, harbored ill-feelings, but upon learning that her mother is alive and is looking for her, could not help looking forward to meeting her mother. Victoria, however, tricks the old woman and kills her the moment she met her daughter, believing Dugong hated her mother anyway. She kept the power of the Aram for herself.

On the eve of Marina's 21st birthday, Victoria and her daughter Luna pay a surprise visit to give Marina a "gift". Using the powers of the Aram, she turns Marina back into a mermaid. Victoria then went to a circus where she made Marina the star attraction. When the circus master wanted more oddities to star in the circus, Victoria also used the powers of the Aram to capture Dugong and her slave, Pearly.

Rodge attempted to rescue her love, but Luna had placed him under a curse, turning him into a kitten. Eventually, with the help of her newfound friends, Marina was able to get away from Victoria's clutches and eventually found her way into another fishing town, to a family of fairies.

The King of the Seas ordered to have Victoria and Luna arrested, and placed inside a force field prison. Marina, on the other hand was now able to live her life as a human, she married Rodge and was now pregnant.

All things seems well, except for Victoria. She wants revenge against the people who foiled her evil plans. She had heard of a meteorite stone that, once in the hands of its owner, can give out an enormous power. She escaped from her prison and got her hands on one of the stones that fell that night. By using its power, the evil witch had Luna and Marina switch places, with the latter's unborn child now in Luna's womb.

One day, Marina woke up and found herself inside a prison and the shokoy guards calling her "Luna". She eventually come into conclusion that Victoria will not rest unless she gets her way. With the help of many of her friends, who see her as Marina beyond what they physically see. They were able to break Victoria's spell, although Marina's child was still inside Luna's womb (in later episode, Luna gave birth to Marina and Rodge's baby girl who was later named Mariluna and seems to be inheriting Marina's curse).

Victoria still won't give up, that's why she had Marina killed but with the cost of her life. Marina's mother, Esther, began having dreams in which Marina is talking to her to get the Leafar, a magical liquid that can resurrect the dead. But Victoria was able to get between the gate connecting the world of the afterlife and the world of living and Marina. Esther was surprised to see that whom she had resurrected was not her daughter, but the ever evil witch.

Marina, lost in between the two worlds, gets help from her father, who is now a spirit. The only way to revive herself, and to finally defeat Victoria is to return herself into a mermaid once more.

Eventually, she is able to defeat Victoria but the cost of it was, her chance of ever being human. She gave her child under the care of Luna, and told her to take care of her child as well as her husband, Rodge. Marina, now a mermaid for eternity, bid goodbye to Rodge and their child and returned once more into the ocean.

Human characters

 * Esther Sto. Domingo is the loving mother of Marina and dedicated wife to Elias. She is Victoria’s ultimate rival in her quest to win Elias’ heart. Though she finds it very painful, she opts to send her mermaid daughter to the sea to protect her from the townspeople. Played by Snooky Serna.
 * Elias Sto. Domingo is a kind-hearted fisherman who commits to love Victoria until he meets the woman of his dreams in the person of Esther. Victoria will make him regret marrying Esther for the rest of his life. And to save his daughter Marina from the evils powers of her ex-love, Elias chooses to live in the arms of the cruel sea deity. Played byJoel Torre.
 * Pilar is Esther’s loyal assistant who would really give up her life for her employer. A caring mother to Isabel and Mario, Pilar single-handedly raises her two children through Esther’s support. Played by Debraliz.
 * Sheila Corrales-Sandico - She personifies the success story of a mermaid who becomes human… a living inspiration and foundation of hope to Marina. Sheila will be Marina’s connection to the real world. A good friend who promises to help the poor mermaid accomplish her dream. Played by Agot Isidro.
 * Raphael Sandico - Esther’s psychiatrist who falls in love with Shiela. Raphael is Quintin’s older brother . Played by Bobby Andrews.
 * Isabel - Daughter of Pilar who idolizes Marina. Her father was taken by a mermaid and because of that, Isabel learns to despise all of them. Her fondness for Marina turns into hatred when she discovers that the young, successful woman is no human. Played by Pauleen Luna.
 * Carlitos - He is Isabel’s best friend who is secretly in love with the pretty, young lady. Knowing that he can’t compete with Leon, he chooses to be Isabel’s shoulder to cry on. Played by Gabb Drilon.
 * Lorelei - A crazy woman who care Elias when he become crazy. She is Elias’ closest friend who exhibits a very poor memory. Funny and at times weird, Lorelei was formerly the smartest and pretty mermaid who gave up everything for love. Played by Eugene Domingo.
 * Rodge - He first saw Marina as a young mermaid when he was but a little boy. This fateful encounter leaves him with a fixation on mermaids until he grows up to be a man. In his quest to find his precious mermaid once again, he is deemed by Victoria as Marina's true love and therefore must be stopped from breaking the curse. Amidst all of Rodge's good qualities lie a tragic flaw—he is also the man in Luna's heart. Played by Rafael Rosell
 * Randolph Rivera - A good-looking scuba diver who goes to the fishing village and meets Luna. They get along well but the young lady misconstrues their rapport as something more than friendship. He is mesmerized by Marina’s beauty and decides to court her. But the moment Luna finds out about this, she starts to seek her mother’s powers to win back her loved man. Played by Alvin Fortuna.
 * Quintin Sandico - a happy-go-lucky marine biologist who is commitment-phobic. Quintin is Raphael’s younger brother who will also develop a special feeling for Marina. He finds the young resort executive extremely appealing that he pursues her even if it will lead to a conflict between him and his older bother. Played by Luke Jickain.
 * Leon del Rosario - Nephew of Esther who comes from Manila. Trendy and down-to-earth, he becomes Isabel’s highest crush. Although he likes her very much, he tries to hide his affection due to the sad truth that he shall die soon. Played by John Barretto.
 * Ronald Martinez'  - A scuba diver who devotes much of his time with his best friend Randolph. Their strong friendship belies the fact but Ronald begins to see Randolph as more than just a friend. Played by Robin Tolentino.
 * Mario Ballestros - Yaya Pilar’s responsible son and Isable’s protective brother acts as the father figure in their family since the day his father was taken by a mermaid. Played by Dustin Reyes.

Mermaids

 * Marina Aguas/Kristina - An obedient daughter to Esther and Elias. At the age of seven, she will be cursed to become a mermaid by the wicked Victoria. Out of love and protection, Esther sends her to the sea where she lives a different life under the loving care of Istah, the Queen of the Sea. Marina vows to win back her human form even if it entails big risks and unimaginable sacrifices. She later becomes successful in her pursuit to live a normal life, assuming a very important position in a prestigious resort. But during full moon and unknown to all, Marina, the rich and lovely executive, transforms back into a mermaid. Played by Claudine Barretto. Also Jane Oineza plays the young Kristina/Marina.
 * Nanay Istah - She is the Queen of the Sea who takes good care of Marina the moment the young girl turns into a mermaid and is sent to Dagat Landia. Istah regards the poor mermaid as her own daughter and vows to do everything to make her adoptive child happy… and even if it means sacrificing her own life. She possesses a powerful necklace that preserves her youth and a sign of her unconditional love, offers it to Marina. Played by Sunshine Cruz.
 * Quiana - One of the mermaids Marina will meet and befriend. Quiana has experienced living a normal life but opts to go back to the sea to become a mermaid again. She also killed Isabel's father because of her deal with Dugong. Played by Maoui David.
 * Vexia - Is one of Marina’s loyal mermaid friends who will stop at nothing just to protect her. Reliable and supportive, she will be Marina’s constant companion in her new world under the sea. Played by Jenny Miller.
 * Miria - This is one is a new mermaid, also the friend of Marina. But she had only a short part in all episodes. Played by Its Saludo.
 * Isabel - She was a mermaid at Season 1. Played by Pauleen Luna.
 * Dugyot (Sheila) - Sheila turned into a mermaid to help Marina. Played by Agot Isidro.
 * Lorelei - She happened to be a mermaid since Marina's wedding invitation. Played by Eugene Domingo.
 * Lirio - As a prince of the sea world, Lirio has the power to transform from a merman to a real human... but he has no power to change Marina's heart. In spite of their brief acquaintance, Lirio falls in love with Marina and proves himself integral in her mission to defeat Victoria. Played by Diether Ocampo.

Other creatures

 * Ignarva - A giant crab and Dugong's sister who got the other half of "bituing kasan-alam".
 * Neptuna - Queen of the sea. Played by Patricia Lopez.
 * Ninja - A turtle-like creature and a friend of Marina and Dugong. Marina and him become friends when they've met in the Circus played by Mura.
 * Pearly Shells - A gay shokoy and a slave of Dugong. He became a slave of Dugong when Dugong were looking for a man to victim and she thought Pearly was a man played byChokoleit.
 * Alice Dikya - a talking jellyfish created by Dugong to do her bidding. She serves as a comedic foil to Pearly Shells.
 * Utoy - A fisherman kidnapped by Dugong and became her slave. He was tasked by Dugong to catch mermaids, when he failed, he was transformed as a mermaid and was presented to Victoria as Marina. Played by Ariel Lacson.
 * Tandang Ella - A powerful witch.She is the mother of Dugong, she hates evil people, exactly why he prevent everything Victoria does and she has the power of Earth.
 * Pinggoy - The son of the kind couple that adopted Marina. They are actually a family of fairies forced to disguise as humans to evade an evil fairy, Tutubina, and her allies. Pinggoy falls for the charms of Marina and this poses an added threat to his and his family's safety because Tutubina is in love with Pinggoy. Played by Onemig Bondoc.

Villains

 * Victoria Raymundo - A sea deity who possesses supernatural powers over the sea. She falls in love with Elias but is tormented when she finds out that her great love marries Esther, a woman from Manila. She seeks Dugong’s help to grant her the power to curse the couple’s first child. Played by Cherie Gil.
 * Luna - The love child of Elias and Victoria is a reluctant heiress to her mother’s evil powers. Simple and good-natured, she falls head over heels in love with Rodge. Upon knowing that Rodge’s heart belongs to Marina, she willingly accepts her mother’s powers to exact revenge against her rival. Played by Meryll Soriano. Also Kristel Fulgarplays the young Luna.
 * Dugong - she is the most forceful sea witch who gives Victoria the supernatural powers she needs. She has full control of the whole Dagat Landia and has the ability to see the future. With her mere eerie chant, she can claim countless lives. Dugong alone can make mermaids human… but only if she offered a precious gift she cannot resist. She eventually becomes good, and joins forces with Marina. Played by Malou de Guzman.
 * Gurruto - A king of a group of black people who wants to marry Esther but Esther doesn't like to marry him. As a result, Gurruto brought her to their dark world.
 * Tutubina - She hates Marina because her crush Pinggoy have a love interest with Marina and not to her so she told to one of her Dragonflies to control the mind of Pinggoy by going inside his mouth.

Production
Three mermaid tails were made for Claudine Barretto to play her character, Marina: two for the water and one for land. The ones for the water were heavy for the actress to wear, and sometimes required four to six people to carry her. The one tail made for land was not as difficult on the actress: she was able to move, and was able to take it off if she needed to.

This show started the Fantaserye (fantasy series) mania in the Philippines. Its highest rating was 47.1%, while the average was 38.6%.

Sheryn Regis was chosen to sing the theme song of the series, a song composed by Raul Mitra and Cacai Velasquez-Mitra titled "Kailan Kaya", which later became a big hit as part of Sheryn's debut album under Star Records entitled Come In Out of the Rain.