Darna (1991 film)

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1991 Filipino film

Darna

Directed by| Joel Lamangan[1]
Screenplay by| Frank G. Rivera
Story by|

* Eddie Rodriguez
* Bey Vito

Based on| Darna
by Mars Ravelo
Produced by|

* Vic del Rosario, Jr.
* William Leary

Starring| Nanette Medved
Cinematography| Ramon Marcelino
Edited by| Ike Jarlego Jr.
Music by| Willy Cruz
Distributed by| Viva Films[1]

Release date

* December 25, 1991 (1991-12-25)

Running time

| 108 minutes
Country| Philippines
Language| Filipino

Darna is a 1991 Filipino superhero film based on the Philippine comic character Darna, directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Frank G. Rivera. It stars Nanette Medved, Nida Blanca, Edu Manzano, Pilar Pilapil, Tonton Gutierrez, Bing Loyzaga, Dennis Padilla, and Atong Redillas. The film's special effects were done by Rolly Sto. Domingo.[2] The film was released through Viva Films on December 25, 1991, as part of the 17th Metro Manila Film Festival.

## Plot

[edit]

In the early 1900s, explorer Dominico Lipolico encounters a sinister relic in the Amazon jungle that gives him immortality in exchange for fomenting evil. In the present day, Dominico, who poses as a philanthropist, moves his operations to the Philippines to spread his deeds, recruiting fashion designer Valentina and a local admirer and giving them powers of a Gorgon and a winged "Manananggal", respectively. He also tries to recruit Darna, who is incarnated in a newspaper journalist named Narda. Valentina lures Darna at an event by releasing snakes to kill the audience, to which Darna comes to the rescue. Valentina's talking pet snake, Vibora discovers Darna's transformation into Narda, which enables Valentina to capture her. At Dominico's lair, Dominico forces Darna to join him by threatening her grandmother and siblings but is thwarted by her siblings rescuing Darna before she is fully transformed. Darna rescues Narda's newspaper companions George and Buster from an attack by the Manananggal, killing her by luring her to a church cross, while Valentina is accidentally killed during a fight with Darna when Vibora unwittingly gives a live grenade for Valentina to throw. Darna then confronts Dominico, who reveals himself as a Devil-incarnate who goes on a burning spree. He initially overpowers Darna, but is killed when she grabs the relic that he wears as a necklace and crushes it, resulting in the disintegration of Dominico and his minions.

## Cast

[edit]

* Nanette Medved as Narda/Darna[3]
* Nida Blanca as Lola Isabel
* Edu Manzano as Dominico Lipolico
* Pilar Pilapil as Valentina[4]
* Tonton Gutierrez as George
* Bing Loyzaga as Impakta/Manananggal
* Dennis Padilla as Buster
* Atong Redillas as Ding
* Ruby Rodriguez as Vibora (Voice)
* Donna Cruz as Sally
* Tony Lambino as Dong
* Dencio Padilla
* Paolo Contis as Young Dong
* Errol Dionisio
* Archi Adamos
* Ray Ventura
* Boy Roque
* Jun Hidalgo
* Jim Pebanco
* Carmi Matic
* Guila Alvarez
* Roland Montes
* Vina Morales \- Angel

## Accolades

[edit]

Group  | Year  | Category  | Name  | Result  |

|
|
|
|
|

Metro Manila Film Festival | 1991 | Best Picture | Darna | 3rd  | [5][6]
Best Director | Joel Lamangan | Nominated
Best Actress | Nanette Medved | Nominated
Best Supporting Actress | Nida Blanca | Nominated
Best Child Performer | Atong Redillas  | Nominated
Best Cinematography | Ramon Marcelino  | Nominated
Best Musical Score | Willy Cruz  | Nominated
Best Sound Recording | Rolly Ruta  | Nominated
Best Production Design | Benjie de Guzman  | Nominated
Best Make-Up | Cecille Baun  | Won
Best Visual Effects | Carlos Lacap  | Won
FAMAS Awards | 1992  | Best Supporting Actress | Pilar Pilapil | Nominated  | [7]
Best Child Actor  | Atong Redillas  | Nominated

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Mata, Elvira (December 27, 1991). "Filmfest tips, forecasts and reviews". Manila Standard. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
2. ^ Darna (1991) - Full cast & crew - IMDb. Retrieved March 25, 2025 - via www.imdb.com.
3. ^ "Former 'Darna' Nanette Medved-Po donates classrooms to Marawi children". RAPPLER. June 14, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
4. ^ Legaspi, John (November 19, 2021). "Valentina: Her many faces and origin stories". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
5. ^ "Metro filmfest reels off today". Manila Standard. December 25, 1991. Retrieved March 10, 2022.
6. ^ Metro filmfest reels off today. Manila Standard. December 25, 1991. p. 18.
7. ^ "41st FAMAS Awards (1992)". The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on July 17, 2006. Retrieved May 5, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

Portals:

* Philippines
* Comics
* Film

* Darna (1991) at IMDb

* v
* t
* e

Darna

* Mars Ravelo
* Nestor Redondo

Supporting characters|

* Adranika
* Captain Barbell
* Queen Adran

Enemies|

* Valentina
* Black Darna

Films|

* Darna (1951)
* Darna at ang Babaing Lawin (1952)
* Si Darna at ang Impakta (1963)
* Isputnik vs. Darna (1964)
* Darna at ang Babaing Tuod (1965)
* Si Darna at ang Planetman (1969)
* Lipad, Darna, Lipad! (1973)
* Darna and the Giants (1974)
* Darna vs. the Planet Women (1975)
* Bira! Darna, Bira! (1979)
* Darna at Ding (1980)
* Darna (1991)
* Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik (1994)

| Parody|

* Darna, Kuno...? (1979)

|

Television|

| Live-action|

* Darna (1977)
* Darna (2005)
* Darna (2009)
* Darna (2022)

|

Animation|

* Darna (1986)

Stage|

* Hindi Ako si Darna (2017)

Related|

* Varga
* "Di Na Nag-iisa" (2005 Regine Velasquez song)
* "Narda" (2006 Kamikazee song)
* "Patuloy Lang ang Lipad" (2022 BGYO song)

Category

* v
* t
* e

Films directed by Joel Lamangan

* Darna (1991)
* Hiram na Mukha (1992)
* Ikaw (1993)
* Kadenang Bulaklak (1994)
* Pangako ng Kahapon (1994)
* Silakbo (1995)
* The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995)
* Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995)
* Ikaw Naman ang Iiyak (1996)
* Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (1996)
* The Sarah Balabagan Story (1997)
* Sidhi (1999)
* Mister Mo, Lover Ko (1999)
* Abandonada (2000)
* Deathrow (2000)
* Mila (2001)
* Walang Kapalit (2003)
* Filipinas (2003)
* Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita (2004)
* Mano Po III: My Love (2004)
* So Happy Together (2004)
* Ako Legal Wife (2005)
* Blue Moon (2006)
* Manay Po (2006)
* Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di (2006)
* Pacquiao: The Movie (2006)
* Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh (2006)
* Bahay Kubo: A Pinoy Mano Po! (2007)
* Desperadas (2007)
* Happy Hearts (2007)
* Desperadas 2 (2008)
* Manay Po 2: Overload (2008)
* Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love (2009)
* When I Met U (2009)
* Mamarazzi (2010)
* The Mommy Returns (2012)
* The Bride and the Lover (2013)
* Hustisya (2014)
* Felix Manalo (2015)
* Your Place or Mine? (2015)
* Siphayo (2016)
* Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
* Oras de Peligro (2023)

* v
* t
* e

Metro Manila Film Festival

* Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA)

By year|

* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
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* 1992
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* 1994
* 1995
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* 2000
* 2001
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* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
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* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
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* 2022
* 2023
* 2024

Merit awards|

* Best Picture
* Best Director
* Best Actor
* Best Actress
* Best Supporting Actor
* Best Supporting Actress
* Best Child Performer
* Best Screenplay
* Best Original Story
* Best Cinematography
* Best Editing
* Best Musical Score
* Best Original Theme Song
* Best Production Design
* Best Sound Engineering
* Best Visual Effects
* Best Make-up Artist
* Most Gender-Sensitive Film
* Best Float

Special awards|

* Gatpuno Antonio J. Villegas Cultural Award
* Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence

Short film awards|

* Best Short Film
* Special Jury Prize
* Best Director
* Best Screenplay

Spin-offs|

* Summer Film Festival
* 2020
* 2023

Best Picture

1975–2000|

* Diligin Mo ng Hamog ang Uhaw Na Lupa (1975)
* Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976)
* Burlesk Queen (1977)
* Atsay (1978)
* Kasal-kasalan, Bahay-bahayan tied with Ina Ka ng Anak Mo (1979)
* Taga sa Panahon (1980)
* Kisapmata (1981)
* Himala (1982)
* Karnal (1983)
* Bulaklak sa City Jail (1984)
* Paradise Inn (1985)
* Halimaw sa Banga (only the 3rd Best Picture was announced) (1986)
* Olongapo, The Great American Dream (1987)
* Patrolman (1988)
* Imortal (1989)
* Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990)
* Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1991)
* Andres Manambit: Angkan ng Matatapang (1992)
* Kung Mawawala Ka Pa (1993)
* no winner (1994)
* Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995)
* Magic Temple (1996)
* Nasaan ang Puso (1997)
* José Rizal (1998)
* Muro-Ami (1999)
* Tanging Yaman (2000)

2001–present|

* Yamashita: The Tiger's Treasure (2001)
* Mano Po (2002)
* Crying Ladies (2003)
* Mano Po III: My Love (2004)
* Blue Moon (2005)
* Enteng Kabisote 3: Okay Ka, Fairy Ko: The Legend Goes On and On and On (2006)
* Resiklo (2007)
* Baler (2008)
* Ang Panday (2009)
* Ang Tanging Ina Mo (Last na 'To!) (2010)
* Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story (2011)
* One More Try (2012)
* 10,000 Hours (2013)
* Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo (2014)
* Walang Forever (2015)
* Sunday Beauty Queen (2016)
* Ang Larawan (2017)
* Rainbow's Sunset (2018)
* Mindanao (2019)
* Fan Girl (2020)
* Big Night! (2021)
* Deleter (2022)
* Firefly (2023)
* Green Bones (2024)

Best Director

1975–2000|

* Augusto Buenaventura (1975)
* Eddie Romero (1976)
* Celso Ad. Castillo (1977)
* Eddie Garcia (1978)
* Lino Brocka (1979)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1980)
* Mike De Leon (1981)
* Ishmael Bernal (1982)
* Willie Milan (1983)
* Mario O'Hara (1984)
* Lino Brocka (1985)
* Mario O'Hara (1986)
* Artemio Marquez (1987)
* Laurice Guillen (1988)
* Eddie Garcia (1989)
* Gil Portes (1990)
* Elwood Perez (1991)
* Ike Jarlego, Jr. (1992)
* Jose Javier Reyes (1993)
* No winner (1994)
* Joel Lamangan (1995)
* Peque Gallaga & Lore Reyes (1996)
* Chito S. Roño (1997)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1998)
* Marilou Diaz-Abaya (1999)
* Laurice Guillen (2000)

2001–present|

* Chito S. Roño (2001)
* Joel Lamangan (2002)
* Mark Meily (2003)
* Cesar Montano (2004)
* Jose Javier Reyes (2005)
* Jose Javier Reyes (2006)
* Cesar Apolinario (2007)
* Mark Meily (2008)
* Joel Lamangan (2009)
* Wenn V. Deramas (2010)
* Tikoy Aguiluz (2011)
* Brillante Mendoza (2012)
* Joyce Bernal (2013)
* Dan Villegas (2014)
* Erik Matti (2015)
* Erik Matti (2016)
* Paul Soriano (2017)
* Joel Lamangan (2018)
* Brillante Mendoza (2019)
* Antoinette Jadaone (2020)
* Jun Lana (2021)
* Mikhail Red (2022)
* Pepe Diokno (2023)

Best Actor

1975–2000|

* Joseph Estrada (1975)
* Christopher de Leon (1976)
* Rolly Quizon (1977)
* No winner (1978)
* Raul Aragon (1979)
* Dindo Fernando (1980)
* Vic Silayan (1981)
* Christopher de Leon (1982)
* Anthony Alonzo (1983)
* Herbert Bautista (1984)
* Anthony Alonzo (1985)
* Mario O'Hara (1986)
* Anthony Alonzo (1987)
* Baldo Marro (1988)
* Christopher de Leon (1989)
* Dolphy (1990)
* Eric Quizon (1991)
* Aga Muhlach (1992)
* Aga Muhlach (1993)
* Roi Vinzon (1994)
* Richard Gomez (1995)
* Jomari Yllana (1996)
* Christopher de Leon (1997)
* Cesar Montano (1998)
* Christopher de Leon (1999)
* Johnny Delgado (2000)

2001–present|

* Cesar Montano (2001)
* Eddie Garcia (2002)
* Eric Quizon (2003)
* Christopher de Leon (2004)
* Marvin Agustin (2005)
* Cesar Montano (2006)
* Jinggoy Estrada (2007)
* Christopher de Leon (2008)
* Bong Revilla (2009)
* Dolphy (2010)
* Dingdong Dantes (2011)
* Dingdong Dantes (2012)
* Robin Padilla (2013)
* Derek Ramsay (2014)
* Jericho Rosales (2015)
* Paolo Ballesteros (2016)
* Derek Ramsay (2017)
* Dennis Trillo (2018)
* Allen Dizon (2019)
* Paulo Avelino (2020)
* Christian Bables (2021)
* Ian Veneracion (2022)
* Cedrick Juan (2023)

Best Actress

1975–2000|

* Charito Solis (1975)
* Hilda Koronel (1976)
* Vilma Santos (1977)
* Nora Aunor (1978)
* Lolita Rodriguez (1979)
* Nora Aunor (1979)
* Amy Austria (1980)
* Vilma Santos (1981)
* Nora Aunor (1982)
* Coney Reyes (1983)
* Nora Aunor (1984)
* Vivian Velez (1985)
* Liza Lorena (1986)
* Melanie Marquez (1987)
* Amy Austria (1988)
* Vilma Santos (1989)
* Nora Aunor (1990)
* Nora Aunor (1991)
* Gina Alajar (1992)
* Dawn Zulueta (1993)
* Kimberly Diaz (1994)
* Nora Aunor (1995)
* Amy Austria (1996)
* Maricel Soriano (1997)
* Alice Dixson (1998)
* Elizabeth Oropesa (1999)
* Gloria Romero (2000)

2001–present|

* Assunta De Rossi (2001)
* Ara Mina (2002)
* Maricel Soriano (2003)
* Vilma Santos (2004)
* Zsa Zsa Padilla (2005)
* Judy Ann Santos (2006)
* Maricel Soriano (2007)
* Anne Curtis (2008)
* Sharon Cuneta (2009)
* Ai-Ai delas Alas (2010)
* Maricel Soriano (2011)
* Nora Aunor (2012)
* Maricel Soriano (2013)
* Jennylyn Mercado (2014)
* Jennylyn Mercado (2015)
* Irma Adlawan (2016)
* Joanna Ampil (2017)
* Gloria Romero (2018)
* Judy Ann Santos (2019)
* Charlie Dizon (2020)
* Charo Santos-Concio (2021)
* Nadine Lustre (2022)
* Vilma Santos (2023)
* Judy Ann Santos (2024)

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