Philippines: GMA’s adaptation of “Descendants of the Sun” debuted successfully on February 10

The series is among GMA’s greates drama offers for 2020. It was headlined by no less than two of GMA’s most bankable artists, Dingdong Dantes (Bow of Justice, The Other Mrs. Real) and Jennylyn Mercado (My Love From The Star, My Faithful Husband). Dantes plays the role of alpha team leader Captain Lucas Manalo, while Mercado plays cardio-thoracic surgeon Dr. Maxine Dela Cruz, otherwise known by fans of the drama as Big Boss and Beauty, respectively.

 

Adapted from the hit series from South Korea, Descendants of the Sun tells the story of Lucas and Maxine, two people brought together by destiny. Lucas is a professional soldier and captain of the special forces of the Philippine military. He meets Maxine, a talented and dedicated surgeon. He is instantly attracted to her and they begin to date. Unfortunately, their professions and responsibilities keep getting in the way and they decide to part ways.

 

Dantes said: ‘Viewers have been waiting for our adaptation of this drama. Story-wise, we did some tweaking to make it suitable for the Philippine setting, while keeping the important elements that endeared the series to the viewers. We’re very excited about this series and we’re very proud of it’.

 

Mercado echoed Dantes’ sentiments: ‘We worked hard in this series, but it was all worth it because everyone in the team put their hearts into the project – from the director, to the cast, to the entire production team. We all worked together to make the show truly outstanding’.

 

Starring alongside Dantes and Mercado are award-winning actors Rocco Nacino (Angela, Memories of Love) and Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Sahaya, Family Jewels) who will play Technical Sergeant Diego Ramos a.k.a. Wolf and Captain Moira Defensor, respectively. Much like Lucas, Diego is brave, noble, and willing to sacrifice his own happiness for others – even if it means letting go of his girlfriend, Moira. But Moira is tough, headstrong, and will not surrender without fighting for their love.

 

Asia’s Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose sang the English version of the official theme song of the original series, “You Are My Everything”.  The series is directed by Dominic Zapata (My Husband’s Lover, The Rich Man’s Daughter), who concluded: ‘I will not compromise the quality and (the viewers’) expectations of Descendants of the Sun and I will not compromise Filipinos doing a Filipino adaptation of this much-loved Korean drama’.