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Lupin (Philippine TV series)
Encyclopedia
Lupin is a Philippine drama
that aired on GMA Network
. It is loosely based on the French
crime fiction
series of books featuring the character Arsène Lupin
and the Japan
ese manga
and anime
series Lupin III
, in turn loosely based upon the original works. "Lupin" aired its last episode on August 17, 2007.
Created by Maurice Leblanc
, Arsène Lupin first appeared in a series of short stories serialized in 1905 and published in book form as Arsène Lupin, gentleman-cambrioleur in 1907 (translated into English as The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar).
Born in the late 19th century, Lupin is a gentleman thief
, a master of disguise
, and an amateur detective
. While operating on the wrong side of the law, he is still a force for good. Those whom Lupin defeats are worse villains than he. Other characters in the stories include Lupin's faithful accomplice Grognard and his lawman adversary Inspector Justin Ganimard. In some stories Lupin faces Arthur Conan Doyle
's Sherlock Holmes
(called "Herlock Sholmès" for copyright reasons).
The Lupin stories have been adapted for television (including animation), cinema, and comics.
in 1967 (without permission from the estate of Maurice Leblanc) and has starred in several manga series, television series, and films. GMA had previously aired a dubbed version of the television series.
The world's most skillful and most wanted thief, this Lupin is the grandson of the original. Sometimes he just steals whatever he wants, and at other times he prefers to steal from disreputable people. Often he will take it upon himself and his gang to foil other criminals engaged in more serious crimes. He often appears incompetent, but it is mostly a disguise. While he has been arrested and thrown in jail on a number of occasions he has always managed to escape. He also has a fondness for fancy gadgets from time to time.
was the first of the leading ladies to be in the cast. It was thought of that she will play the role of Fujiko Mine
from the anime. Rhian Ramos
was then included in the cast leading some people to think that she will play Lady Clarisse Cagliostro from the Lupin movie The Castle of Cagliostro
. But when a third leading lady, Katrina Halili
, was included in the cast, GMA Network
announced that nothing except only some elements of the characters from the anime will be in the series.
Weeks before its initial release date, a fourth leading lady was brewing. Some suggested that it would be Georgina Wilson
, Richard Gutierrez
's girlfriend. It was denied by the network, and beauty queen-model Abby Cruz was included for the fourth leading lady role instead.
was included in the cast and has done all the promotional photo shoots for the series. He was set to play Lupin's master. But he had to leave the series after he decided to run for senator
in the 2007 Philippine elections
, as his appearance in Lupin during the campaign would constitute a violation of election laws.
Edu Manzano was initially eyed to replace him, but he also had to turn down the role due to two prior commitments he has made with GMA Networks rival station ABS-CBN
: to host Pilipinas, Game KNB?
in place of original host Kris Aquino
and to appear in the drama series Walang Kapalit
.
It was Michael de Mesa
who finally took on the role of Minggoy Buang/Miguel Apacer that was initially offered to Cesar Montano and Edu Manzano.
has improved a lot on his acting and Mike Tuviera, the director of the series, for his directing skills. Janno Gibbs
was also praised by many critics, viewers and anime/manga fans for his comedic portrayal of the detective (homage to Detective Zenigata
of anime series) with a personal commitment to put Lupin behind bars for good. GMA Records
has decided to release a DVD Series some time in September.
. The DVDs are in volumes, containing all of the shows episodes.
who also played Inspector Clavio in the show. The arrangement of the song is an homage to the James Bond
theme songs of the 60's and early 70's, most especially "The World is Not Enough
", from movie of the same title, sung by Garbage.
Philippine drama
Philippine drama can be classified into different forms and genres, with the most popular being the teleserye and teledrama. The teleserye/teledrama is a television form of melodramatic serialized fiction. It is rooted from two words: "tele", which is short for "television," and "serye", a Tagalog...
that aired on GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
. It is loosely based on the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
crime fiction
Crime fiction
Crime fiction is the literary genre that fictionalizes crimes, their detection, criminals and their motives. It is usually distinguished from mainstream fiction and other genres such as science fiction or historical fiction, but boundaries can be, and indeed are, blurred...
series of books featuring the character Arsène Lupin
Arsène Lupin
Arsène Lupin is a fictional character who appears in a book series of detective fiction / crime fiction novels written by French writer Maurice Leblanc, as well as a number of non-canonical sequels and numerous film, television such as Night Hood, stage play and comic book adaptations.- Overview :A...
and the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
and anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
series Lupin III
Lupin III
, also known as Lupin the 3rd, is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuhiko Kato under the pen name of Monkey Punch. The story follows the adventures of a gang of thieves led by Arsène Lupin III, the grandson of Arsène Lupin, the gentleman thief of Maurice Leblanc's series of...
, in turn loosely based upon the original works. "Lupin" aired its last episode on August 17, 2007.
Arsène Lupin
Created by Maurice Leblanc
Maurice Leblanc
Maurice Marie Émile Leblanc was a French novelist and writer of short stories, known primarily as the creator of the fictional gentleman thief and detective Arsène Lupin, often described as a French counterpart to Arthur Conan Doyle's creation Sherlock Holmes.- Biography :Leblanc was born in...
, Arsène Lupin first appeared in a series of short stories serialized in 1905 and published in book form as Arsène Lupin, gentleman-cambrioleur in 1907 (translated into English as The Extraordinary Adventures of Arsene Lupin, Gentleman-Burglar).
Born in the late 19th century, Lupin is a gentleman thief
Gentleman thief
In the Victorian vernacular, a gentleman thief is a particularly well-behaving and apparently well bred thief. A "gentleman" is usually, but not always, a man with an inherited title of nobility and inherited wealth, who need not work for a living. Such a man steals not in order to gain material...
, a master of disguise
Disguise
A disguise can be anything which conceals or changes a person's physical appearance, including a wig, glasses, makeup, costume or other ways. Camouflage is one type of disguise for people, animals and objects...
, and an amateur detective
Detective
A detective is an investigator, either a member of a police agency or a private person. The latter may be known as private investigators or "private eyes"...
. While operating on the wrong side of the law, he is still a force for good. Those whom Lupin defeats are worse villains than he. Other characters in the stories include Lupin's faithful accomplice Grognard and his lawman adversary Inspector Justin Ganimard. In some stories Lupin faces Arthur Conan Doyle
Arthur Conan Doyle
Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle DL was a Scottish physician and writer, most noted for his stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, generally considered a milestone in the field of crime fiction, and for the adventures of Professor Challenger...
's Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes
Sherlock Holmes is a fictional detective created by Scottish author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. The fantastic London-based "consulting detective", Holmes is famous for his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take almost any disguise, and his use of forensic science skills to solve...
(called "Herlock Sholmès" for copyright reasons).
The Lupin stories have been adapted for television (including animation), cinema, and comics.
Lupin III
Lupin III was created by Monkey PunchMonkey Punch
Monkey Punch is the pen name of Japanese manga artist Kazuhiko Katō , creator of the successful Japanese manga series Lupin III...
in 1967 (without permission from the estate of Maurice Leblanc) and has starred in several manga series, television series, and films. GMA had previously aired a dubbed version of the television series.
The world's most skillful and most wanted thief, this Lupin is the grandson of the original. Sometimes he just steals whatever he wants, and at other times he prefers to steal from disreputable people. Often he will take it upon himself and his gang to foil other criminals engaged in more serious crimes. He often appears incompetent, but it is mostly a disguise. While he has been arrested and thrown in jail on a number of occasions he has always managed to escape. He also has a fondness for fancy gadgets from time to time.
Main cast
- Richard GutierrezRichard GutiérrezRichard Kristian Rama Gutierrez, popularly known as Richard Gutierrez , is a television actor and commercial model who works in Filipino productions.-Biography:Gutierrez is the son of Eduardo P...
as André Lupin / Lupin De Dios / Xedric Apacer - Rhian RamosRhian RamosRhian Denise Ramos Howell, who is better known by her stage name Rhian Ramos , is a Filipina actress, commercial model and singer.-Biography:...
as Avril Legarda - Ehra MadrigalEhra MadrigalGeralyn Gaspar Madrigal, who is better known by her screen name Ehra Madrigal is a Filipina actress. Her younger sister, Michelle Madrigal is also an actress.-Filmography:'Television...
as Brigitte Maisog - Katrina HaliliKatrina HaliliKatrina Halili is a Filipina actress, commercial model and music producer. She made her screen debut via StarStruck, but did not gain popularity until playing the antagonist roles in Darna, Majika and MariMar and becoming the protagonist in One Night Only, Gagambino and Magdusa...
as Veronica Arkanghel a.k.a Ashley Calibre - Janno GibbsJanno GibbsJanno Ronaldo Gibbs is a Filipino singer and actor–comedian. He is a regular host of GMA Network television shows SOP Rules , Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga, Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?, and Power of 10 . He played as Geron Agular in Codename: Asero...
as Inspector Clavio Angeles
Supporting cast
- Tirso Cruz IIITirso Cruz IIITirso Cruz III is a Filipino actor and singer. He is one of the famous actors in Philippine show business.-Biography and career:...
as Fundador "Duroy" De Dios - Ricky DavaoRicky DavaoRicardo Manuel Caballes Davao , better known as Ricky Davao, is a Filipino actor. He is the husband of actress Jackie Lou Blanco. He is the younger brother of Bing Davao and the son of Charlie Davao.-Television:...
as Master Moon Raven - Boy2 Quizon as Castor
- Lani MercadoLani MercadoLani Mercado-Revilla is a member of the Philippine House of Representatives for the 2nd District of Cavite, which comprise of only the municipality of Bacoor. She is also an actress. She is married to actor and Senator Bong Revilla.-Television:-Movies:* Yes Darling: Walang matigas na pulis 2 ......
as Cecilia Lupin - Ara MinaAra MinaHazel Pascual Reyes , better known by her screen name, Ara Mina, is a Filipina actress, fashion model and singer. She won the Golden Screen Award in 2004 for Best Actress in a drama in the Philippines....
as Sister Anna Nicole - Polo RavalesPolo RavalesPaul Patrick Rodil Gruenberg or simply called Polo Ravales, born June 27, 1982 in Manila, Philippines, is a Filipino actor and model with German descent.-Career:...
as Josh Apacer - Bearwin Meily as Danggoy
- Alicia Alonzo as Tiya Nelia
- Ramon Christopher as Perez
- Almira Muhlach as Victoria Apacer
- LJ ReyesLJ ReyesLourna Jane Pujeda Reyes is a Filipina actress. She was one of the Final Four of the reality TV show StarStruck.-Life and career:...
as Elaine - Sandy TalagSandy TalagSandra Ann R. Talag, popularly known as Sandy Talag, is a Filipina child actress. She rose to fame through the television talent search show StarStruck Kids.-Television appearances:-Film:-Other appearances:...
as Angela
Extended and Guest cast
- Michael de Mesa as Minggoy Buang / Miguel Apacer
- Elvis Gutierrez as Sundance Raven
- Melissa Mendez as Edith Legarda
- Alyssa AlanoAlyssa AlanoAlyssa Alano is a Filipina film and TV actress. She was a former member of the popular Viva Hotbabes franchise. Though she grew up in Tarlac, Alano was actually born Geramie Daud in Zamboanga City on 11 August 1987, to a Filipina mother and an Australian father of Spanish descent .She has been a...
as Marry - Dick Israel as Warden Jouquin Bagbag
- Benjie ParasBenjie ParasVenancio Johnson Paras, Jr. , better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association turned actor. He is the only PBA player to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player honors, in a single season...
as Generoso / Jenny - Debraliz as Tita Guring
- Andrew Wolfe as Adonis Angeles
- Dante Rivero
- Patricia Ysmael as Christa
- Rea Nakpil as Trixie
- Gerard Pizzaras as Ernie
- Neil Ryan Sese as Lopez
- Sheree as Virgin
- Abby Cruz as Angeli Villavicer
- January Isaac as Sister Jorja
- John Apacible as Maskardo
- Tuesday Vargas as Magdalene
- Roy Alvarez as Mayor Ybrahim Santiago
- Nonie Buencamino as Arsenio Lupin
- Joyce Jimenez as Courtney Amor
- Giselle Sanchez as Mama Sanaita
- Rez Cortez as Lt. Milyones
- Kier Legaspi as Sgt. Katas
- Paul Alvarez as Cpl. Uno
- Mang Enriquez as Pvt. Enriquez
- Gary EstradaGary EstradaGary Ejercito, better known as Gary Estrada, is a television and movie star in the Philippines. He is renowned for his movies, athletic physique, and cleanly handsome face...
as Captain Rosas - Joyce ChingJoyce ChingJoyce Giselle Ching, better known as Joyce Ching , is a Filipina actress and commercial model...
as (Young Ehra Madrigal) young Brigitte Maisog
Production Crew
- Writers: Joles Katanyag, Zita Garganera, Tina Samson, and Kit Villanueva-Langit
- Head Writer: Suzette Doctolero
- Creative Consultant: RJ Nuevas
- Musical Director: Richard Gonzales
- Executive Producer: Hellen Rose Sese
- Production Managers: Redgie A. Magno and Rams David
- Executive-in-charge of Creative: Anette Gozon-Abrogar
- Executive-in-charge of Production: Wilma Galvante
- Assistant Director: Lore Reyes
- Directed by: Mike TuvieraMike TuvieraMichael Tuviera is an acclaimed Filipino film director, TV director and music video director. He is known for his stylized filming techniques. He is the son of TAPE Inc. chairman, Antonio Tuviera....
Casting the leading ladies
Ehra MadrigalEhra Madrigal
Geralyn Gaspar Madrigal, who is better known by her screen name Ehra Madrigal is a Filipina actress. Her younger sister, Michelle Madrigal is also an actress.-Filmography:'Television...
was the first of the leading ladies to be in the cast. It was thought of that she will play the role of Fujiko Mine
Fujiko Mine
is a fictional character created by Monkey Punch, for his Lupin III series. Fujiko is a professional criminal, burglar and "confidence trickster"....
from the anime. Rhian Ramos
Rhian Ramos
Rhian Denise Ramos Howell, who is better known by her stage name Rhian Ramos , is a Filipina actress, commercial model and singer.-Biography:...
was then included in the cast leading some people to think that she will play Lady Clarisse Cagliostro from the Lupin movie The Castle of Cagliostro
The Castle of Cagliostro
is a 1979 Japanese animated film co-written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. It is one of the films featuring master thief Arsène Lupin III.The second animated Lupin III movie and arguably the best known, Castle of Cagliostro was written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki, who also co-directed the first...
. But when a third leading lady, Katrina Halili
Katrina Halili
Katrina Halili is a Filipina actress, commercial model and music producer. She made her screen debut via StarStruck, but did not gain popularity until playing the antagonist roles in Darna, Majika and MariMar and becoming the protagonist in One Night Only, Gagambino and Magdusa...
, was included in the cast, GMA Network
GMA Network
GMA Network is a major commercial television & radio network in the Philippines. GMA Network is owned by GMA Network, Inc. a publicly listed company...
announced that nothing except only some elements of the characters from the anime will be in the series.
Weeks before its initial release date, a fourth leading lady was brewing. Some suggested that it would be Georgina Wilson
Georgina Wilson
Georgina Wilson is a Filipina-British model and VJ. She was a judge on ABS-CBN's Showtime for seven weeks before getting evicted.- Television :-External links:...
, Richard Gutierrez
Richard Gutiérrez
Richard Kristian Rama Gutierrez, popularly known as Richard Gutierrez , is a television actor and commercial model who works in Filipino productions.-Biography:Gutierrez is the son of Eduardo P...
's girlfriend. It was denied by the network, and beauty queen-model Abby Cruz was included for the fourth leading lady role instead.
Cesar Montano
Cesar MontanoCésar Montano
Cesar Manhilot, known by his screen name Cesar Montano, is a multi-awarded Filipino actor and film director.He started in show business as a stuntman. He played roles in numerous B movies...
was included in the cast and has done all the promotional photo shoots for the series. He was set to play Lupin's master. But he had to leave the series after he decided to run for senator
Senate of the Philippines
The Senate of the Philippines is the upper chamber of the bicameral legislature of the Philippines, the Congress of the Philippines...
in the 2007 Philippine elections
Philippine general election, 2007
Legislative and local elections were held in the Philippines on May 14, 2007. Positions contested included half the seats in the Senate, which are elected for six-year terms, and all the seats in the House of Representatives, who were elected for three-year terms...
, as his appearance in Lupin during the campaign would constitute a violation of election laws.
Edu Manzano was initially eyed to replace him, but he also had to turn down the role due to two prior commitments he has made with GMA Networks rival station ABS-CBN
ABS-CBN
ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...
: to host Pilipinas, Game KNB?
Pilipinas, Game KNB?
Pilipinas, Game KNB? was a long-running Philippine game show aired on ABS-CBN. Hosted by Edu Manzano, past versions of the show were hosted by Kris Aquino and aired on primetime. It is also aired on The Filipino Channel...
in place of original host Kris Aquino
Kris Aquino
Kristina Bernadette Cojuangco Aquino , commonly known as Kris Aquino, is a Filipino television and movie personality who gained prominence from her talk shows, game shows, and numerous endorsements. Known as the Queen of All Media and Philippines' Queen of Talk, she is the youngest daughter of...
and to appear in the drama series Walang Kapalit
Walang Kapalit
Walang Kapalit was a Philippine television series broadcast by ABS-CBN. It premiered April 23, 2007 on ABS-CBN's Primetime Bida.A riveting story coupled by an equally riveting cast...
.
It was Michael de Mesa
Michael de Mesa
-Early life:Born Eduardo Mikael De Mesa Eigenmann on 24 May 1960 to acclaimed performer Eddie Mesa and actress Rosemarie Gil, Michael De Mesa and his siblings Mark Gil and Cherie Gil grew up steeped in the arts...
who finally took on the role of Minggoy Buang/Miguel Apacer that was initially offered to Cesar Montano and Edu Manzano.
Reaction
Overall, the series was well-received by critics and audiences, but fans of the Lupin III anime and manga series expressed disappointment at the perceived unfaithful adaptation. Many critics have mentioned that Richard GutierrezRichard Gutiérrez
Richard Kristian Rama Gutierrez, popularly known as Richard Gutierrez , is a television actor and commercial model who works in Filipino productions.-Biography:Gutierrez is the son of Eduardo P...
has improved a lot on his acting and Mike Tuviera, the director of the series, for his directing skills. Janno Gibbs
Janno Gibbs
Janno Ronaldo Gibbs is a Filipino singer and actor–comedian. He is a regular host of GMA Network television shows SOP Rules , Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga, Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?, and Power of 10 . He played as Geron Agular in Codename: Asero...
was also praised by many critics, viewers and anime/manga fans for his comedic portrayal of the detective (homage to Detective Zenigata
Koichi Zenigata
, usually called , is a fictional character in Monkey Punch's anime and manga series Lupin III.- Personality :Inspector Zenigata hails from Japan, city of origin unknown. According to Lupin III: Episode Zero - First Contact, his original title was Tokyo Police Inspector whose original interest was...
of anime series) with a personal commitment to put Lupin behind bars for good. GMA Records
GMA Records
GMA Records, created in the last quarter of 2003, is a records company that releases music albums, and many of the albums have been platinum and gold record award albums. In 2005 GMA Records released a film titled "Let the Love Begin" on DVD and VCD, and when that was such a success they succeeded...
has decided to release a DVD Series some time in September.
Synopsis
Lupin (Richard Gutierrez) is a veteran thief trained by his father Duroy (Tirso Cruz III) in the art of stealing from a young age. But after meeting his girlfriend Angelie (Abby Cruz), Lupin sought to turn over a new leaf by quitting his job as a thief and then marrying her. Upon learning of this, Duroy, fearing of losing his greatest asset, secretly connived with the Maskardo Gang to ruin his son's dreams by assassinating Angelie during her wedding with Lupin. The plan was eventually consummated, and Duroy then secretly killed the perpetrators to cover his tracks. Duroy's involvement might have forever remained a secret had it not been for his female asset Ashley (Katrina Halili), who managed to get wind of the consummated plot when she chanced upon hearing about it in a secret conversation between Duroy and his right-hand man Perez (Ramon Christopher). Ashley then informed Lupin about this, thus starting Lupin's quest to avenge Angelie's death without ending up behind bars...DVD release
The series was released onto DVD-format by GMA RecordsGMA Records
GMA Records, created in the last quarter of 2003, is a records company that releases music albums, and many of the albums have been platinum and gold record award albums. In 2005 GMA Records released a film titled "Let the Love Begin" on DVD and VCD, and when that was such a success they succeeded...
. The DVDs are in volumes, containing all of the shows episodes.
Soundtrack
The theme song was composed and performed by Janno GibbsJanno Gibbs
Janno Ronaldo Gibbs is a Filipino singer and actor–comedian. He is a regular host of GMA Network television shows SOP Rules , Nuts Entertainment, Eat Bulaga, Kakasa Ka Ba Sa Grade 5?, and Power of 10 . He played as Geron Agular in Codename: Asero...
who also played Inspector Clavio in the show. The arrangement of the song is an homage to the James Bond
James Bond
James Bond, code name 007, is a fictional character created in 1953 by writer Ian Fleming, who featured him in twelve novels and two short story collections. There have been a six other authors who wrote authorised Bond novels or novelizations after Fleming's death in 1964: Kingsley Amis,...
theme songs of the 60's and early 70's, most especially "The World is Not Enough
The World is Not Enough (song)
"The World Is Not Enough" is a 1999 orchestral rock song performed by alternative rock group Garbage, and was the theme single of the James Bond film of the same name. The song and accompanying soundtrack were released internationally by Radioactive Records as the feature film premiered in theaters...
", from movie of the same title, sung by Garbage.