Aso ni San Roque
Title card
Also known asSan Roque's Pet
GenreFantasy drama
Created byJun Lana
Developed byDenoy Navarro-Punio
Written by
  • Jules Katanyag
  • Des Garbes-Severino
  • Rona Lean Sales
Directed byDon Michael Perez
Creative directorJun Lana
StarringMona Louise Rey
Opening theme"Itatawid Mo sa Landas" by Rocco Nacino
Country of originPhilippines
Original languageTagalog
No. of episodes90
Production
Executive producerWinnie Hollis-Reyes
CinematographyCarlo S. Montano, Jr.
Camera setupMultiple-camera setup
Running time30-45 minutes
Production companyGMA Entertainment TV
Original release
NetworkGMA Network
ReleaseSeptember 10, 2012 (2012-09-10) –
January 11, 2013 (2013-01-11)

Aso ni San Roque (International title: San Roque's Pet / transl. dog of San Roque) is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Don Michael Perez, it stars Mona Louise Rey. It premiered on September 10, 2012, on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Makapiling Kang Muli. The series concluded on January 11, 2013, with a total of 90 episodes. It was replaced by Indio in its timeslot.

The series is streaming online on YouTube.[1]

Premise

Separated from her birth parents at a very young age, a blind girl named Fatima grows up under the protective wing of Mother Ben, an old gay man under the control of a criminal syndicate. Since then, Mother Ben has been her sole protector, and uses Fatima's disability to help her escape hardships and mischief caused by the cruel syndicate.

Aside from having a pure, good heart, a dark secret lies within Fatima. She is the daughter of a mortal man and a manananggal, a traditional demoness that separates at the midsection so the upper half can fly at night to feed on blood. Fatima is thus the subject of a prophecy that spells the end of all evil beings on earth.

As Fatima reaches the age of seven, the search for her intensifies as witches, centaurs, mermaids and other malignant creatures join forces to prevent the girl from fulfilling the prophecy.[2]

Cast and characters

Eddie Garcia portrays Supremo.

Lead cast

A blind girl with a golden heart who is the offspring of a mortal and a manananggal. Behind her persona is a prophecy that destined her to end the dark forces that plaguing the human race. Because of this mission, her life is now in danger as the legions of darkness are lurking to kill her to prevent her from fulfilling the prophecy.[3]
St. Roch's dog who came to life to be Fatima's guide through her quests and battles to defeat the evil forces.

Supporting cast

Mateo's great love. Lourdes is a beautiful and kind-hearted young lady. But behind this beautiful persona concealed a dark secret—she belongs to a family of manananggal, but the reluctant one. This revelation altered the love Lourdes and Mateo hoped to share together for life. This dim chapter in Lourdes' life turns into a joy as she gives birth to Mateo's child—a beautiful baby girl she named Fatima. But another tragic twist of fate unwittingly leads Lourdes apart from her baby.[4]
An old gay man who happens to be under the control of a syndicate. Loud and unconventional. He is a merry deviant in a cheerless world of misery and tears. He adopts Fatima and from then on, he became the sole protector of the poor, blind little girl.[5]
The king of the "aswang ng hangin" or the winged-vampires, better known in Philippine mythology as manananggal. He goes to great length to find and kill Fatima to prevent her from fulfilling the prophecy.[6]
An evil witch, who also ruled as the queen of the "aswang ng apoy" or the fire-powered witches. In the real world, she is known as the ruthless and fearless head of a syndicate involved in child trafficking and where Mother Ben and Fatima work. Legend has it that Bulan was once a goodhearted person, but the tragic death of her beloved husband and son led her to embraced evilness. She is the traitor to aswang's by not listening to Supremo.
The leader of the "aswang ng lupa" or the land-based aswangs. In his past life, he was Peter Silverio, a wealthy and popular equestrian who sold his soul to the devil to regain his strength and to have eternal life. Using his strength and fast ability, he preys on people that's cross his paths, most commonly virgin women and lost travelers.[7][8]
An ambitious, aggressive and tough TV reporter/journalist. She is so focused and she would do everything to attain her goals and would do everything for the man she loves—Mateo.[9] Although not intentionally she led Bulan and Sento to Fatima before she can get to Mateo and in the process she became a mixture of n aswang of lupa and apoy by them.
The husband of Constancia and the brave and principled head of "Task Force Kababalaghan" or the paranormal division of National Police. His son was killed by the aswang and vows to take revenge on them.
Mateo's bubbling, yet loyal, sidekick and fellow cop. Serves as the series' source of comic relief, he apparently suffers from an allergy to dogs; and because of that, he can tell whenever Angel the dog is within his vicinity, much to Mateo's convenience.
The aunt of Mateo who also acts as his surrogate mother. Deeply religious and full of virtue. She also served as one of Mateo’s sources of comfort in his times of distress, and has some knowledge concerning the supernatural, such as the Tikbalang's weakness.
A former clergyman who lost his mind after he witnessed the tragic death of his family.[10]

Guest cast

Production and development

Originally created/conceptualized by writer and director, Jun Lana for GMA Network, Aso ni San Roque is a drama-fantasy-adventure serial lies in the old "battle between good and evil" plot. Contrary to the first report published in entertainment news website, PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), the series is not based from Lana's 2012 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry, Bwakaw. Lana clarifies that the series is actually inspired from San Roque and his canine's moving story. San Roque, also known as Saint Roch or Saint Rocco, is the saint usually depicted in statue form in Catholic churches as the one with a walking stick on the left hand, while the other hand is pointing on to a wound on one of his knees with a dog sitting by his side.[11] The Catholic Church named him patron of dogs, plague, pestilence and AIDS. He is also the patron saint of invalids.[12] In the series, San Roque brought his dog come to life to save and be a guide to Fatima, the blessed child who prophesied to be the one who will end the existence of evil entities on earth.

The series also highlights Pinoy mythology by putting aswang, manananggal, tikbalang, bruha and sirena as part [villains] of the story. Series' director, Don Michael Perez stated that, the network is aiming to enrich Filipinos [especially the young ones] knowledge of the country's rich culture, beliefs and mythology by using this kind of concept, just like what the network did in their past television series, in the likes of Darna, Dyesebel, Joaquin Bordado and Luna Mystika.[13] In the story, the aswangs are divided into four classes: Aswang ng Hangin, most commonly known as the manananggals or the winged-vampires. It headed by the dreadful Kanlaon which played by Gardo Versoza; the Aswang ng Lupa or the land-based evil entities, who ruled by Sento, played by Paolo Contis, the heartless half-human, half-horse creature popularly known as the tikbalang; Aswang ng Tubig or the sea-based evil creatures. It headed by Queen Anaira, an evil mermaid which portrayed by Gwen Zamora; and the Aswang ng Apoy or the fire-powered witches ruled by Bulan, played by Angelika dela Cruz.

Casting

The cast was first presented during the series' story conference held on August 2, 2012, at GMA Network Center. Mona Louise Rey was chosen to play the role of Fatima, the protagonist. Rey, who rose in stardom after the successful drama series[14] Munting Heredera, felt overwhelmed with the network's support for her career and at the same time, excited for the role assigned on her.[15]

Meanwhile, Princess, a two-year-old half Golden Retriever and half Cocker Spaniel, was chosen to be part of the series as Anghel, San Roque's dog who defend and guide the main character through her adventures.[16] Don Michael Perez said, "Princess, is definitely born to be a star," he says. The dog's trainer Ergie Estrella said that he did not encounter difficulty in training the star dog, saying that all it takes is positive reinforcement.[17]

TJ Trinidad and LJ Reyes shared equally important roles in the series. Reyes considered this series as her biggest break ever. After being typecast in villain characters [she's associated in her villainous roles in Time of My Life[18] and The Good Daughter,[19] the network assigned her to play one of the main characters in the series, as birthmother of Mona Louise Rey's character.[20] In one of her interviews, Reyes said that it's her first time to play a mother role on TV but she doesn't mind doing it as long as the story is good and the character, as well.[4] Meanwhile, Trinidad is all praise for his screen partner, said that Reyes is nice and very committed. "And I think, it’s gonna be a good partnership for the show and, you know, with the whole cast, story, and the script, it’s so exciting. Very fast-paced", he added.

The dark forces or the main antagonists of the story are portrayed by Angelika dela Cruz, Gardo Versoza, Gwen Zamora and Paolo Contis. Dela Cruz was cast as Bulan, an evil witch and the leader of the syndicate; Versoza playing Kanlaon, the king of the manananggals; Zamora playing the role of Anaira, an evil mermaid; while Contis playing the role of Sento, the leader of the tikbalangs.[21][22]

Rafael Rosell had a guest role in the series. He played Anton, the man who saved LJ Reyes' character from the wrath of manananggals. This served as his first project in GMA Network.[23]

Pen Medina was cast as mother Ben, an elderly gay and the adoptive parent to the lead character. Originally, the role was offered to Eddie Garcia but due to health concern,[24] Garcia later requested the producers to give him less time-demanding character. He portrayed the role of Supremo, instead.[25]

Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Aso ni San Roque earned a 26.2% rating.[26] While the final episode scored a 24.2% rating.[27]

References

  1. ^ "Aso ni San Roque Full Episodes (Stream Together)". YouTube. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  2. ^ "Mona Louise Rey and wonder dog Anghel banner GMA-7's newest telefantasya Aso ni San Roque | GMA Entertainment". GMA Network.
  3. ^ a b "Mona Louise Rey is a blind girl with a mission in Aso ni San Roque". PEP. Archived from the original on February 13, 2018. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  4. ^ a b Bautista, Mario (September 5, 2012). "LJ takes potshots at Paulo's manager". Journal.com.ph. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  5. ^ "Pen Medina, inaming nabigla sa pagtanggap ng role sa 'Aso ni San Roque' | GMA Entertainment". GMA Network.
  6. ^ "Gardo Versoza, todo workout para sa kanyang role sa 'Aso ni San Roque' | GMA Entertainment". GMA Network.
  7. ^ "Mobile Abante Tonite | Showbiz". Abante. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  8. ^ "Paolo Contis: 'I never consider anyone as my kalaban. I know I can stand up for myself'". GMA Network.
  9. ^ "Rich Asuncion admits she and Ervic Vijandre became an item but called it quits after just a month". PEP.
  10. ^ "Buboy Garovillo grateful for getting acting jobs after split of APO Hiking Society". PEP. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  11. ^ "Bwakaw is Philippines' official entry to Oscars". PEP. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  12. ^ Catholic Online (October 25, 2010). "St. Roch - Saints & Angels - Catholic Online". Catholic.org. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  13. ^ "'Bwakaw' the dog is now 'Aso ni San Roque'". The Manila Times. September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  14. ^ "Munting Heredera will end its nine-month journey by February 3". PEP. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  15. ^ "Entertainment - Home of Kapuso shows and stars". GMA Network. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  16. ^ "Parang superstar asong si Princess ayaw ng take two, natutulog din pag pagod na - ABOUT SHOWBIZ Ni Nitz Miralles". The Philippine Star. September 4, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  17. ^ "Wonder Dog Gets Stellar Role In Latest GMA Fantasy Series". Manila Bulletin. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  18. ^ "LJ Reyes on feedback on her performance in Time of My Life: "I am flattered and overwhelmed and blessed."". PEP. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  19. ^ "LJ Reyes admits to being a protective mom; plans to go back to school for her and son's future". PEP. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  20. ^ "LJ Reyes moves up to lead-star status via GMA-7's Aso Ni San Roque". PEP. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  21. ^ "Superstar leads Phl team to Venice FilmFest - STAR CIRCUIT By Ricky L. Calderon - The Freeman". The Philippine Star. September 5, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  22. ^ "Sarah todo ang ginawang iyak sa kanyang concert sa Amerika - TAKE IT! TAKE IT! Ni Lolit Solis". The Philippine Star. September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  23. ^ "Rafael Rosell says moving to GMA-7 will help him "grow as a person"". PEP. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  24. ^ "Philippine Business News | Online News Philippines - Eddie Garcia needs to slow down". Malaya. Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2012.
  25. ^ "Abante News Online :: Philippines | ENTERTAINMENT". Abante. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved September 26, 2012.
  26. ^ Santiago, Erwin (September 11, 2012). "AGB Nielsen Mega Manila Household Ratings (Sept. 7-10): One True Love and Luna Blanca top primetime race; Aso Ni San Roque debuts strongly". PEP. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  27. ^ "AGB Nielsen Mega Manila Household Ratings (Jan. 7-17): Indio shows remarkable strength on its pilot week; anchors GMA-7 to the top". PEP. January 21, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2018.

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