Hiss, hiss! Here are some of the most venomous villainesses to have ever played Darna’s Valentina.
Just last night, ABS CBN posted a teaser of a snake crawling, with the hashtag: Valentina Reveal. It’s been a hot minute since the the new Darna reboot confirmed its cast with Jane de Leon headlining the Filipina superhero series. In the past, rumors have it that any of the actresses Anne Curtis, Pia Wurtzbach, and Janine Gutierrez may or may not be playing Darna’s nemesis to which most of them neither confirmed nor denied. Last month, characters like Narda’s mother Leonor Custodio (Iza Calzado) and male lead, policeman Brian Robles (Joshua Garcia), and Ding Custodio (Zaijian Jaranilla) were also unveiled, and on Friday we will know who will play the iconic villain role.
If you’re not so much of a comic geek, Valentina is one of the main antagonists in Mars Ravelo’s Darna. She’s a woman that was born with a head full of vipers and had a pet named Kobra, who helped her kill both of her parents. In some adaptations, she was portrayed to have the alter ego of a singer, a doctor, or as Darna’s cousin. Deep down, we know she’s just really misunderstood, TBH. We’re ecstatic to see Valentina’s villain origin story in the upcoming Darna TV Series. Read on for some of the actresses that have played the role while we wait for Friday!
the best darna-valentina rivalry we never had pic.twitter.com/nooOiZ2sNP
— . (@andyelikamm) April 5, 2019
READ MORE: Here’s What You Need To Know About Darna: The TV Series
CRISTINA ARAGON (DARNA, 1951)
Cristina Aragon was the very first Valentina in the earliest known film adaption of Mars Ravelo’s heroine, Darna. Her version of the character often wore a turban to hide the snakes underneath.
CELIA RODRIGUEZ (LIPAD, DARNA, LIPAD!, 1973)
Celia Rodriguez played Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor, Ph.D, a doctoral degree graduate in reptilian zoology. The role made her one of the most sought-after villains in the Philippines and is still regarded as the standard for the villainess to this day.
MELISSA PEREZ RUBIO (VALENTINA, 1989)
Melissa Perez Rubio portrayed Valentina as a good person, but was cursed with snakes on her head. She was depicted with powers similar to Medusa except she could turn anyone into stone at her will.
PILAR PILAPIL (DARNA, 1991)
Pilar Pilapil’s Valentina was often deemed “too campy” in the past, with her look being compared to Zoolander’s Jacobim Mugatu and her loyal serpent Vibora as a mere puppet with red lips.
PILITA CORRALES (DARNA: ANG PAGBABALIK, 1994)
Fun fact: Pilita Corrales’ Valentina had a daughter in the film and was played by Cherie Gil, who also had vipers slithering on her head.
ALESSANDRA DE ROSSI (DARNA TV SERIES, 2005)
Alessandra de Rossi almost didn’t accept the role as she was afraid of snakes. But she then conquered her fear and the pilot episode of the series with her and Angel Locsin in the titular role became one of the highest-rated shows in Philippines TV.
JODI STA. MARIA (KOMIKS, 2009)
ABS CBN once had a series called Komiks and they aired popular Filipino comic book stories. Jodi Sta. Maria played Valentina in her origin story.
IWA MOTO (DARNA TV SERIES, 2009)
Iwa Moto’s Valentina was introduced early on as a childhood friend of Darna and Eduardo until she switches sides and becomes the antagonist of the story.
BONUS: VALENTINA IN THE THEATRE
Before Valentina appeared on television, it was adapted in theatre with mostly ballet stages and musicals. Performers included Melanie Motus, Loby Pimentel, Chin-Chin Gutierrez, Tex Ordoñez, Natasha Cabrera, and Lea Roque who all played Valentina.
CONTINUE READING: Sa Likod Ng Mga Tala: 15 Actresses Who Played Darna
