Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko

Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko
Created by	ABS-CBN
Starring	Matt Evans Melissa Ricks TJ Trinidad Albert Martinez Bembol Roco Ms. Gloria Romero Agot Isidro
Country of origin	Philippines
No. of episodes	16 (as of December 23, 2006)
Production
Running time	1 hour
Original release
Network	ABS-CBN
Release	September 9, 2006 – Unknown

Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko is the third season of the Filipino fantasy TV series Komiks. The third season began airing in the Philippines on September 9, 2006 and currently airs on Saturday evenings on the ABS-CBN network in the Philippines.

Unlike the stories in the first two seasons of Komiks, which were mostly presented in a single episode or at most in two episodes, Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko will span the entire third season of the series.

The title role is performed by Matt Evans, who prior to this role was best known as one of the teens in Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition.

Origins

Earlier Incarnations of Pedro Penduko

The character of Pedro Penduko was created by Francisco V. Coching in 1954, through stories published in the now defunct Liwayway Magazine.

Movie adaptations of komiks novels are the trend in the local movie scene that time, thus giving birth to the first Pedro Penduko movie directed by National Artist for Film Gerardo de Leon under People's Picture. Efren Reyes Sr. is the first actor to ever play such a legendary character. He was paired with Edna Luna in the movie and is supported by stellar cast like Ramon D'Salva, Leila Morena and Ruben Rustia.

In 1973, Celso Ad Castillo megged Ang Mahiwagang Daigdig ni Pedro Penduko (translates to: The Magical World of Pedro Penduko) with a formidable cast that included Ramon Zamora as the new Pedro Penduko with Jeanne Young, Lotis Key, Panchito Alba, and Eddie Garcia.

About two decades after, in 1994, J. Erastheo Navoa presented Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko (translates to: The Return of Pedro Penduko), a movie under Viva Films. The new version showcased young stars Janno Gibbs, Vina Morales, Donita Rose, and comedian Arnel Ignacio. Janno Gibbs is Pedro Penduko in the movie, the most recent and the most popular perhaps. In this particular Pedro Penduko movie, legendary Pinoy superheroes Panday (played by Fernando Poe Jr.) and Darna (played by Anjanette Abayari) made a cameo appearance. The movie was a huge box office success that in 2000, Janno Gibbs reprised his big screen role as Pedro in a sequel entitled Pedro Penduko Episode II: Return of the Comeback, this time, with Erik Matti as the director.

The Komiks TV Series Version

In Komiks: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko, the ABS-CBN network re-introduces the well-loved stories of Pedro, with Matt Evans of Pinoy Big Brother: Teen Edition fame in the title role. Also in the stellar cast are Albert Martinez, Agot Isidro, Melissa Ricks, Bembol Roco, TJ Trinidad, comedienne Kitkat, Deejay Durano, Olyn Membian and Ms. Gloria Romero.

The small screen story stays true to the original, but is given a new and more sophisticated look. Pedro remains a simple boy thrust into the world of superstition and mythical creatures. The oft-taunted klutz of his class embarks on a special voyage accompanied by his special ‘helpers’, and finds his self-confidence increasing as he passes each challenge in his quest to save his father.

Cast and Characters

Main Characters

File:Hiyas&Pedro8).jpg

Introducing Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks.

• Matt Evans as Pedro Penduko - 17 year old Pedro is an orphan and is raised by his Lola Maria. He is famous with kids in his town for he is able weave magical tales about distant lands and creatures. But he is also famous with the town bullies for they see him as a weak and easy target. But all that will change when he gets news that his father is still alive and he has to rescue him from the hands of the Dalakitnons.
• Melissa Ricks as Reyna Hiyas - Hiyas is a Princess of Floreshka who pretended to be a fairy so she could join Pedro in his adventures. She is beautiful, reserved, and royal in her actions. She is Pedro’s one true love.
• Ms.Gloria Romero as Lola Maria - Maria is Pedro’s beloved grandmother. She raised Pedro when he lost his parents and has been always very protective of him.
• Albert Martinez as Juan Penduko - Juan is Pedro’s father. He was the town’s very famous albularyo (healer) who suddenly disappeared and was presumed dead. It is later learned that Juan was trapped in the world of the Dalaketnons with Haring Haddi.
• Agot Isidro as Bukang Liwayway - Bukang Liwayway is Pedro’s mother. She is an enkantada (magical being) and she opted to stay in the kingdom of Floreshka instead of caring for her son. She was also the former queen of Floreshka.
• Olyn Membian as Racquel - Racquel and Pedro grew up together, she being the daughter of another famed albularyo. She is Pedro’s bestfriend but Racquel is secretly in love with him.
• KitKat as Maalindog - She is one of the fairies who will be assisting Pedro in his adventures. Maalindog’s quite flirty and frank and she’s not shy to say that she likes Pedro very, very much.
• Niña Jose as Marikit - A Lambana and Hiyas' best friend. She doesn't believe in Pedro's abilities and goes on the quest to keep an eye on him. She also became a Queen of Floreshka when she switched places with Hiyas, so that Hiyas can go with keep an eye on Pedro.
• Deejay Durano as Haring Haddi - He is the fair and clever king of Floreshka. He is the father of Hiyas. He was also trapped in the world of the Dalaketnons with Juan Penduko.
• Bembol Roco as Ninong Kadyo - As Juan’s best friend, Kadyo took it upon himself to look after Lola Maria and Pedro. The young man treats his Ninong Kadyo almost like a real father.
• TJ Trinidad as Pantas - He is the right hand of Haring Haddi and Merlin, the wise man of Floreshka.

Supporting characters by Episode

Episode 1: "Bungisngis"

• Tsokoleit as Bungisngis - Played the role, Bungisngis, which Pedro made a story to the children in their town that he actually had beaten one.
• Benjie Felipe as Mambubukid - The victim of the bunngisngis.
• Charles Christianson as Chito - One of the enemy of Pedro. He always tease Pedro and beat him up.

Episode 2: "Lambana"

• Good Engkantos of Floreshka - They welcomed Pedro to Floreshka.

Episode 3: "Kapre"

• Bernard Palanca as Kapre - Played the role, Kapre, who was destroying Barrio Talisay.
• Janus del Prado as Berting - eldest of four children who helped Pedro when he was in Barrio Talisay. He was also captured by the Kapre to be the Kapre's playmate.
• Neri Naig as Neneng - Younger sister of Berting, second eldest of the four children.
• Jiro Manio as Toy-toy - He is the second youngest of the four children.
• Kc Aboloc as Momay - She is the youngest of them.

Episode 4: "Manananggal"

• Angelika dela Cruz as Aurora and Manananggal - A girl who works at La Corazon Inn. She transforms into a Manananggal at night.
• Kris Martinez - One of the workers in La Corazon Inn.
• Sergio Garcia - also one of the workers in La Corazon Inn.

Episode 5: "Aswang"

• Rayver Cruz as Allan - the grandson of the aswang in San Nicolas, and the one who caught the being aswang of his grandmother
• Boots Anson-Roa as Aswang - An old woman who needs to pass on the aswang essence to one of her family members.
• Ilonah Jean - one of the daughters of the Aswang and Allan's mother
• James Blanco - A tricycle driver who helps Pedro when he is still in San Nicolas.

Episode 6: "Mambabarang"

• Michelle Madrigal as Susan Nieva - Pedro's only hope of finding his father. Susan is the only person who knows how to get to Dalaket. Unfortunately, she can't remember anything; she can only remember that Consehal Lino helped her to get to Dalaket.
• Ricardo Cepeda as Mr. Nieva - The father of Susan Nieva
• Bea Alonzo - The goddaughter of the Mambabarang; also wanted Susan Nieva to suffer from her sickness.
• Lito Pimentel - The father of Bea Alonzo's character
• Glydel Mercado as Mambabarang - A woman who uses insects and spells to kill her victims.

Episode 7: "Sigben"

• John Estrada as Consehal Lino and the Sigben owner - The Counselor of San Gabriel. The only person who knows the way to Dalaket. He is also the person who takes care of the Sigben.
• Joyce Jimenez - The wife of Consehal Lino.
• Quintin Alianza as Jun-Jun and - Consehal Lino's Son. He died because of his own father's Sigben.

Episode 8: "Dalaketnon"

• Mico Palanca as Kasimiro- The leader of the Dalaketnons.
• Jake Cuenca as Napoleon- The brother of Kasimiro.

Episode 9: "Nuno Sa Punso"

• Aldred Gatchalian as Antonio and Nuno Sa Punso - A nuno, who fell in love with Maria, but got rejected.
• Valeen Montenegro as Young Maria
• Jason Abalos as Nuno Sa Punso - one of the nuno.

Episode 10: "Tiyanak"

• Juliana Palermo as Betty- She is the one to take care o the tiyanaks because she think that the tiyanak is her son that died.
• Denise Joaquin as Nurse - A nurse in the hospital where Betty works, she had become a victim of the tiyanak.

Episode 11: "Tiktik"

• Toni Gonzaga as Thelma - Gary's girlfriend and supposed to be one of the vitim of Tiktik but she survived.
• Vhong Navarro as Gary - Pedro's cousin and Thelma's boyfriend.
• Sid Lucero as Tiktik

Episode 12: "Pugot"

• Carlos Agassi as Gilbert - Thelma's older brother and a baseball coach in their place.
• Dominic Ochoa as Pugot or Padre Jesus Pio de Asis - the Pugot haunting the town of San Jose.
• Raphael Martinez - one of the baseball players.
• Steven Fermo - also one of the baseball players.
• Pokwang as Principal Nendita - The principal in the elementary school in San Jose.

Episode 13: "Tikbalang"

• Bobby Andrews as Tikbalang - A very playful half human half horse creature, he played his victims until they become crazy.
• Joross Gamboa - one of the victims of the Tikbalang.
• Carlo Aquino - also one of the victims of the Tikbalang.
• Debraliz as Nanang - Mother of the two victims of the Tikbalang.
• Aaron Villaflor - a mountain hiker, one of the victims of the Tikbalang.
• Janelle Quintana - also a mountain hiker, one of the victims of the Tikbalang.

Episode 14: "Santelmo"

• Rafael Rosell - the escaped prisoner who stole the Pedro's baul (chest) and also he was the victim of the santelmo.
• Aj Dee - also a escaped prisoner who stole the Pedro's baul (chest) and also he was the victim of the santelmo.
• Eda Nolan as Mayumi - a Lambana who was with Marikit.

Episode 15: "Bangungot"

• Wilson Go as Bangungot - a Bangungot who lived inside Pedro's house.
• Carl John Barrameda - a caroler who was attacked by the Amalanhig.

Episode 16: "Amalanhig"

• Luz Fernandez as Amalanhig or Lola Sul or Ursula - the Amalnhig who was attacking the barrio of Tulay-Buhangin.
• Tonton Guittierez as Erning - a policeman who has a connection with the Amalanhig. He is also the father of Chito ,the one who was bullying Pedro.
• Rio Locsin - wife of Erning.

Episode 17: "Agta" - with the appearance of Super Inggo.

• ????????????????? as Agta
• Makisig Morales as Budong or Super Inggo
• Angelu De Leon as Pacita - mother of Budong.
• Joseph Bitangcol - a priest in San Luis.
• Cassandra Ponti - a woman who was taken by the Agta.
• Rico Barrera - the boyfriend of Cass Ponti's role.
• Matutina - the mother of Cass Ponti's role.

Production Credits

• Directors. Trina N. Dayrit, Jerome Pobocan, Wenn Deramas
• Episode Writers. Aloy Adlawan, Galo Ador, Keiko Aquino, Agnes Gagilonia-Uligan, Joel Mercado
• Production Manager. Julie Ann Benitez

Fictional places in the series

• Tulay-Buhangin - Where the Penduko's live.
• Floreshka - The home of the good engkantos.
• Barrio Talisay - A small village in the jungle, where Pedro meets the Kapre who was destroying the village.
• San Mateo - where Pedro rests overnight, and where he meets the manananggal.
• La Corazon Inn - An inn where Pedro stayed to rest.
• San Nicolas - where Pedro finds Susan, who possess knowledge he needs to find his father.
• San Gabriel - where Pedro can find Consehal Lino, the only person who knows the way to Dalaket.
• Dalaket - The place of the bad engkantos.
• San Jose - The place where Pedro could find the Pugot.
• San Luis - The place where Pedro met Budong and where he was suppose to find Ninong Kadyo.

The Mutya

The Mutya is the medallion that was given to Pedro to provide him special powers which he can use to on his way to search for his father. It has seven stones and each is representing the seven colors of the rainbow. Pedro can only use each stone once so he needs to use them very wisely. The Mutya also gives out oil which notifies Pedro that an enemy in disguise approached him or walked near him.

• Blue Stone - lets Pedro jump much higher than he normally could. Pedro used this against the kapre together with the Orange Stone. Pedro also used this against the Tiktik.
• Orange Stone - gives Pedro invulnerability. Pedro used this against the kapre, together with the Blue Stone. Pedro used this to beat the Santelmo.
• Red Stone - gives Pedro extraordinary strength. Pedro used this against the manananggal. Pedro also used this against the tikbalang.
• Violet Stone - lets Pedro run much faster than they normally could. Pedro used this against the aswang. Pedro also used this to defeat the tiyanak.
• Green Stone - gives Pedro incredible speed. Pedro used this to gain more energy to beat the mambabarang. Pedro also used this against the Tiktik.
• Indigo Stone - gives Pedro heightened senses which can help him detect his enemies. Pedro used this against the sigben which he could not see clearly. Pedro also used this to sense the Pugot.
• Yellow Stone - gives Pedro a good singing voice. Pedro used this stone to make his dad believe that he really is his son. He sang the song of his mother and father. Pedro used this to trick the Tikbalang to give him the head of the Pugot.

Engkantos/Mythical Things

• Bungisngis (portrayed by Tsokoleit) - Bungisngis is a one-eyed giant. This Philippine folklore giant lives in forest and woods. It is a happy and a playful cyclops.
• Lambana (portrayed by Kitkat, Niña Jose, & Melissa Ricks) - Lambanas are fairy-like creature that lives in woods. They act as nature's guardian spirits. They also give grace to people who take care of nature, and bring bad luck to people who threatens nature.
• Kapre (portrayed by Bernard Palanca) - The Kapre is a dark and hairy giant creature known for being mischievous. This giant is usually seen atop large trees smoking a giant tobacco. However, Kapre are actually misunderstood. They are nice and kind creatures and they only attack people if they are harmed.
• Manananggal (portrayed by Angelika dela Cruz) - The manananggal comes with different names in some parts of the Philippines including Iki for the Batangueños and Lupa-lup for the Waray. The manananggal is commonly described as a half-bodied woman with monster looks, entangled hair and has bat's wings on her back. She seduces men during the day by disguising into a very beautiful lady. She turns into a monster at night, flies to her victim and usually eats the heart. The best way to kill a manananggal is to put salt or ashes on the lower half of her body that she leaves somewhere when she is in a monster form. When this happens, she will no longer be able to return to her human form and the when the sun shines on her
• Aswang (portrayed by Boots Anson-Roa & Rayver Cruz) - Aswangs are famous in Capiz, Iloilo, and Antique. People say that the Aswangs can transform themselves into a wild boar, dog, or other animals. Aswangs prey on sick human beings by devouring their favorite organ, the liver. A person may become an Aswang when he or she is infected by an Aswang. This usually happens by drinking or eating from an Aswang's glass or plate. To know if an animal is an Aswang in disguise, you simply bend over and look at them with your head upside down.
• Mambabarang (portrayed by Glydel Mercado & Bea Alonzo) - Mambabarang are ordinary human beings with black magic who torture and later kill their victims by infesting their bodies with insects. They are different from Mangkukulams -- the latter only inflict pain or illness. Mambabarangs use a strand of hair from their intended victim and tie it to the bugs or worms which they will use as a medium. When they prick the bug, the victim immediately experiences the intended effect.
• Sigben - Sigben are invisible creatures. This is probably the reason people say that Sigben looks like a dog with the features of a cat and a goat. They are small and they walk backwards. They victimize little children who are sleeping without someone guarding them. They bite the victim's ankle or foot making them very ill and then die after few hours. After they kill a child, they go back to there caretaker. Anyone who takes care of these creatures are said to believe to gain much luck and richness. In this series, the Sigben owner is played by John Estrada.
• Dalaketnons (portrayed by Mico Palanca & Jake Cuenca) - Dalaketnons are the bad engkantos. Dalaketnons are known as tall and handsome people. They dress in fashinable manner, live in mansions and try to fit in with mortal people. Some believe that the only way to Dalaket is by entering the Dalaket trees. These creatures abduct people and take them to their world. They set a feast for their victims and force them to eat the Black Rice that put them under their spell making them their members.
• Anting-Anting - The medallion that made Pedro defeat the Dalaketnons is called an anting-anting. This medallion gives its owner powers like Pedro had. According to myths, this gains power by prayers or incantations.
• Nuno sa Punso - (played by Jason Abalos & Aldred Gatchalian) - Nuno are small but terrible creatures who live on punso (anthill). They are invisible and quiet creatures. If they get bothered by too much noise or careless movements causing them harm, they get mad and punish the people who trespasses them. Especially when their house get destroyed by playing kids. Their victims get sick really bad and the only way to cure it is by the Albularyo. So everytime you pass by a punso, you need to say "Excuse Me".
• Tiyanak - Tiyanak are monster-looking babies. They disguise themselves into innocent and adorable looking babies and once someone came in contact with them, they turn into monsters and attack their victim. These monsters are believed that they are aborted babies or babies who were dead on birth and were not blessed.
• Tiktik - (played by Sid Lucero) - Tiktik are sometimes compared to Aswang because they devour human organs. They could jump and hop very high and they can crawl on walls like cats and they can hang like bats. They prey on pregnant women's fetus and month old embryos. They attack at during night time where they hop on top of the roof of the house of their victim. They then stretch their very long tongues and used it to rip the womb of their victims and devour the fetus leaving the woman dead. They can be killed by cutting their tongues and letting them die in starvation.
• Pugot - (played by Dominic Ochoa)- Pugot are headless ghosts. They wander in places where they used to live or where they were decapitated. They haunt because they are searching for their heads and they need it to be joined with their body and have it blessed so they could go with peace. However, some of them have the intention to avenge themselves or harm people. They are believed to behead their victims.
• Tikbalang - (played by Bobby Andrews) - Tikbalang is a creature with the features of a man and a horse. Unlike the Centaur in Greek Mythology, Tikbalang is playful and mischievous. It has a powerful kick and can leap very high. It creates illusions that makes its victim seems lost where he or she keeps on passing the same way over and over. Tikbalang creates an illusion too that leads its victim to accident and perhaps death. It can also cause victims to get sick and mentally ill. To work around their tomfoolery, the victim should invert his or her clothing and wear it. This will make the Tikbalang laugh and distracted. To put an end to the Tikbalang from harming, one must grab its golden hair and wrap it in his or her finger. The Tikbalang will then be a slave of that person.
• Santelmo - (also known as "St. Elmo's Fire") - Santelmo is a fireball that flies around the forest. It chases its victims and kills them by setting them ablaze with flames.
• Bangungot - According to popular belief, a person who sleeps while his or her stomach is full is most likely to experience nightmares or Bangungot. Bangungot is an overweight creature that lives in trees and bamboos. It is said to believe that they inhibit the houses which materials are made from their dwelling places. They attack people who are asleep by sitting on their chests till they die of suffocation.
• Amanlanhig - Hiligaynon believe in a certain being called Amanlanhig. They are Aswangs who failed to transfer their monstrosity causing them to rise from their graves to kill humans by biting their necks. In order to escape from the Amanlanhigs, you need to run in zigzag direction since they can only walk in straight direction due to the stiffness of their body. You should also climb trees or high platforms enough for you be out of their reach. You can also run into lakes and rivers since Amanlanhigs are scared of deep bodies of water.

Trivia

• Pedro Penduko did not use any power of the Mutya in Episode 9 and Episodes 15-17, because all the power of the Mutya was already used.
• Pedro also got some items from the mythical creatures he has beaten:
  • He got a tobacco from a Kapre which Pedro used the tobacco's ash against the Manananggal.
  • He got the claw from a Manananggal which he used against an Aswang.
  • He got the head of the Pugot from the Pugot himself. He used this to lure the Santelmo. The head of the Pugot was later given to the Tikbalang.
  • He got a magical box from the Tikbalang, which he used to catch the Santelmo.
  • He got the golden hair of the Tikbalang, which makes the Tikbalang his slave. He later gave it back to the Tikbalang.
• When Pedro uses the yellow mutya, he is always singing the song of his mother and father.
• Pedro also celebrated Christmas with some mythical creatures: the Pugot in San Jose, the Tikbalang, and the Nuno sa Punso.
• Pedro Penduko made an appearance in the show "Super Inggo" as a teacher in Power Academy teaching about mythical creatures.
• With the appearance of Pedro Penduko in Super Inggo, Super Inggo or Budong also made an appearance in Episode 15 and Episode 16 of "Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko.
• The band Spongecola sang the Pedro Penduko theme.

Credit Issue

Before airing its pilot, Franciscio V. Coching's widow (Filomena Coching) raised a ruckus when ABS-CBN failed to credit her husband in the new TV incarnation of “Pedro Penduko.”

When ABS-CBN was conceptualizing a Penduko series, network representatives approached the Coching family, according to her. But she found out that, by virtue of their most recent contract with Viva, they no longer owned either the story or the title Pedro Penduko. So the network negotiated with Viva instead.

Ms Coching hoped that the new show would revive interest in her husbands work, but she saw that the TV ads didnt even mention his name.

When she complained to Viva, she was assured that the network would put Cochings name in the credits once the show starts its run.

References

• Official Site for Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko
• Komiks: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko on ABS-CBN Now

See also

• ABS-CBN
• Komiks (TV Series)
• Komiks Episodes