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ON-THE-SET LOOK: Adarna Gang, Direk Jon Red’s take on the saying “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.”

02.20.22
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Photos: Vivamax

Like the tale of Ibong Adarna, Viva’s Adarna Gang, also involves hunters and preys. However, the pursuit plot of this movie is motivated by two things: revenge and thirst for power. In place of the three princes are three men being honed to become crime syndicate leaders. And in place of the healing bird, is a grieving daughter plotting her revenge.

ADARNA GANG

Cast: Coleen Garcia, JC Santos, Diego Loyzaga, Mark Anthony Fernandez, Ronnie Lazaro

Direction: Jon Red

Playdate: March 11 on Vivamax / Soon on Vivamax Plus

The story of “Ibong Adarna,” where three princes go after a magical bird whose marvelous voice could heal their father, has inspired many adaptations over the years, be it in cinema, television, or stage productions.

Though the hunt is just one aspect of the whole narrative, it has been the most exciting part of the story, what with the bird’s cunning escapes.

Now, from Viva Films comes Adarna Gang, which also involves hunters and preys. However, the pursuit plot of this movie is motivated by two things: revenge and thirst for power. In place of the three princes are three men being honed to become crime syndicate leaders. And in place of the healing bird, there’s a grieving daughter.

Coleen Garcia plays Adriana, the unica hija of Jose (Soliman Cruz) and Maria (Mickey Ferriols). Adriana is aware that her father is involved in a syndicate although they don’t talk about it. She’s looking forward to a provincial life that her father has promised, but this dream is shattered when Jose gets killed.

JC Santos plays Juan, one of the three adopted sons of Fernando (Ronnie Lazaro), the syndicate’s big boss, and his wife Valeriana (Sharmaine Buencamino). Compared to his two brothers, Juan is quite laid back. Knowing that their fathers are friends, he also tries to befriend Adriana.

Diego Loyzaga plays Diego, the youngest in their family. He’s a top womanizer who still has a lot to learn in running a syndicate. Still, he follows orders and tries to get things done.

Mark Anthony Fernandez plays Pedro, the eldest son and the most ambitious of all. He will not hesitate to get rid of anyone whom he thinks is a threat to the syndicate.

Certain that Fernando’s family is behind the death of her father, Adriana vows to eliminate them one by one.

Meanwhile, just like in the centuries-old Philippine folklore “Ibong Adarna,” Juan, Diego, and Pedro are sent out to go on a hunt. Whoever captures Adrian first will be greatly rewarded.

Thus, it’s a question of who gets to who first?

This is the return of Coleen Garcia in the acting scene since she gave birth to her first child. She last starred in the movie Mia in 2020.

JC Santos, Diego Loyzaga, and Mark Anthony Fernandez are proving to be very prolific actors.

JC Santos’s previous movies under Viva, More Than Blue was a big success. In 2021 alone, Diego Loyzaga starred in five Viva movies, starting with Death of a Girlfriend and recently we witnessed his acting prowess in The Wife. Mark Anthony Fernandez, for his part, has three films showing on Vivamax, including Barumbadings.

Adarna Gang is obviously filled with a cast of notable actors who take pride in their work. Don’t miss their powerful performances, and find out which characters will take flight and whose world will come crashing down.

It is written and directed by Jon Red who has been receiving awards and accolades for his films since the ’90s, including two Gawad Urian awards—for Best Short Film, Tiempo, in 1993 and Best Short Film, Trip, in 1994. In 2004, his piece Astigmatism brought home the Silver DV Award from the Hong Kong International Film Festival.

He also wrote the screenplay of Hugas, the romantic crime movie that’s also streaming exclusively on Vivamax. Moreover, he is also the writer and producer of Vivamax’s upcoming limited erotic series, L.

His Adarna Gang can be streamed on Vivamax this March 11, but you can also stream it in advance via Vivamax Plus, Viva’s newest pay per view service.

To stream “Adarna Gang”, go to web.vivamax.net or download the app and subscribe via Google Play Store, App Store, or Huawei App Gallery.

For active subscribers, you get to access VIVAMAX PLUS. This special feature gives you a chance to stream your chosen movie one week in advance from its regular playdate with price starting at 99 pesos.

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