GMA Pinoy TV Proudly Presents: Carlo J. Caparas’ PANDAY KIDS

Date : Feb 18, 2010 They may be small but they more than make up for it with their colossal spirit, their bravery and their kind hearts - qualities that make them true heroes. They are the new generation of superheroes called PANDAY KIDS who will band together to protect the legendary sword and save the world from the clutches of evil.

Starting February 24, GMA Pinoy TV brings the most anticipated treat to primetime viewers with the grand launch of the spin-off to the celebrated masterpiece of Komiks King Carlo J. Caparas, PANDAY KIDS.

Panday Kids is based on the all-time Filipino classic, Ang Panday. This telefantasya features the adventures of three ordinary kids chosen by the age-old prophecy to fight and save humanity from the evil forces of Lizardo.

GMA Pinoy TV is proud to present three incredibly talented child actors who are set to deliver a refreshing performance as the main leads of the TV series: Julian Trono as Hadji, Sabrina Man as Charlie and Robert “Buboy” Villar as Oliver. Robert was the unanimous choice to play one of the leads while Julian and Sabrina were handpicked from hundreds of applicants who auditioned for the coveted roles.

Making this premium Caparas creation at par with the highest standards is the star-studded cast headlined by the characters in the immortal world: Ms. Iza Calzado as Maria Makiling, Queen of the Engkantos; JC de Vera as Aureus, an eskrimador tasked by Maria Makiling to find the Panday Kids; Polo Ravales as Cicero, grandson of Lizardo; Ryan Eigenmann as Andreas, half-goat, half-human brother of Maria Makiling; Jackie Rice as Sarah, the beautiful engkanto loved by Aureus; Jose Manalo as Mambo, right-hand man to Lizardo; and Marvin Agustin as Lizardo, the King of Evil.

Adding star power to the cast are the seasoned actors who play important roles in the mortal world: Gelli de Belen as Rosanna, Oliver’s cruel mother; Tirso Cruz III as Atty. Augusto Luna, Sarah’s father who is half-human, half-engkanto; Pen Medina as Lolo Tasyo, Makoy’s grandfather; Marissa Delgado as Doña Guada Salcedo, Eugene’s grandmother and the key to the secret identity of Charlie; Nanette Inventor as Fidela, Ola’s auntie; Bernard Palanca as James, Charlie’s adoptive father; Isabel Granada as Tessa, Charlie’s adoptive mother; Rich Asuncion as Fatima, Hadji’s sister; Akihiro Sato as Eugene Yamamoto, Ola’s lover; and Ms. Jolina Magdangal as Ola, a soothsayer who once lived in the immortal world.

Completing the A-list cast is the new breed of child actors televiewers should look forward to: Ella Cruz as Jenny, real daughter of Charlie’s adoptive parents; Nikki Samonte as Wendy, Hadji’s bestfriend; Cruzita Salcedo as Marva, Cicero’s daughter; Yogo Singh as Makoy, Oliver’s neighbor who idolizes the Panday Kids and Migui Jimenez as Sintoy, Aureus’ guide who turns into a monkey.

Panday Kids also prides itself for having award-winning actor Mr Christopher de Leon in a very special role as the Teacher, the original guardian of the Panday Sword.

The tale of the Panday Kids begins after the end of the reign of the evil Lizardo in the world, Flavio, the original Panday has no else to fight. He left the land and found peace in the supernatural wilderness. The Panday sword was left in the hands of the “Eskrimadors”, an order of swordsmen known for their exceptional sword-fighting skills. Years passed and no one heard from Flavio ever again and the original Panday has now become a legend.

The “Eskrimadors” are headed by a teacher who trains the rest of the swordsmen in combat. The teacher chooses Aureus as his successor which caught the ire of Cicero, another eskrimador who is a descendant of Lizardo. Cicero breaks ties with the eskrimadors, starts a revolt and slays the teacher. He fails to get hold of the Panday sword which is now in Aureus’ possession.

Meanwhile, in another mystical world, Maria Makiling, the Queen of the Engkantos, guards the balls representing good and evil. As Cicero carries out his wicked plan, his friend Andreas, who is also Maria Makiling’s brother, steals the ball of life from his sister.

He and Cicero plan to resurrect Lizardo using the ball and once again create chaos in the world. Maria Makiling then orders Aureus to find the new heroes who will fight Lizardo as stated in the prophecy.

Aureus prepares a ritual to separate the Panday sword into three shards. The broken shards choose their rightful heirs in the person of three ordinary kids worthy to wield its unimaginable powers.

First to be chosen is Oliver. Mischievous but incredibly nice, he grows up rejected by his mother Rosanna. Born out of rape, Oliver bears the brunt of his mother’s anger but never fails to love and care for her. He represents the heart of the Panday Kids.

Representing the valor of the Panday Kids is Hadji. He is a handsome Muslim boy gifted with skills in martial arts and sword-fighting. Quiet, hardworking and down-to-earth, Hadji, along with his sister Fatima, was caught in the conflict in Mindanao.

And the third Panday Kid, who represents the wisdom of the group, is Charlie. Exceptionally beautiful but a brat, she comes from a well-off family. She is, however, unhappy with the fact that she’s adopted. Charlie wants to find out where she comes from but her real identity is kept secret by her grandmother.

As they take over Flavio’s mission, how will Oliver, Hadji and Charlie embrace the prophecy conferred on their lives? Who are the allies and traitors they will meet in their adventures? Can the three kids fulfill their task and end Lizardo’s reign?

In preparation for their roles, Julian, Sabrina and Robert underwent painstaking martial arts and sword-fighting lessons under Larry Ang, an international Wushu expert. Also the program’s stunt director, Larry, has directed and choreographed martial arts films in Hong Kong, Korea and China.

Under the helm of Director Mike Tuviera, together with Suzette Doctolero as head writer, Panday Kids boasts of top-notch production values with production design created by Rodell Cruz and exceptional visual effects by Imaginary Friends and Santelmo Inc. Filipino rock band Parokya ni Edgar composed and interpreted the theme song of Panday Kids.

Join the feats and adventures of PANDAY KIDS beginning Wednesday, February 24 on GMA Pinoy TV, the flagship international channel of GMA Network.