Amaya (Baybayin: ᜀᜋᜌ) is a Philippine television drama period series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Mac Alejandre, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role. The series is set in the pre-colonial period of the 1500s. It premiered on May 30, 2011 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing I Heart You, Pare!. The series concluded on January 13, 2012 with a total of 165 episodes. It was replaced by Legacy in its timeslot.
The series is streaming online on YouTube.
Premise
Amaya, born in the reign of Rajah Mangubat and as the daughter Datu Bugna, she is a "binukot" - a hidden princess and can't step on ground. Born with a twin snake, a secret hidden by his father to keep her away from danger. Due to having a twin snake, her destiny is to become the savior of her land against Rajah Mangubat.
Cast and characters
Lead cast
Marian Rivera as Bai Amaya
Supporting cast
Sid Lucero as Bagani
Mikael Daez as Lumad
Gina Alajar as Dian Lamitan
Lani Mercado as Dal'lang
Gardo Versoza as Rajah Mangubat
Raymond Bagatsing as Datu Bugna
Glaiza de Castro as Bai Binayaan / Yang Tersayang
Ryan Eigenmann as Angaway
Rochelle Pangilinan as Bai Marikit
Irma Adlawan as Bai Mantal
Ana Capri as Agang
Roy Alvarez as Awi
Ayen Munji-Laurel as Hara Lingayan
Buboy Villar as Banuk
Sheena Halili as Ahak
Roxanne Barcelo as Kayang
Mon Confiado as Songil
AJ Dee as Paratawag
Robert Sy as Paragahin
Mia Pangyarihan as Silay
Ana Feleo as Bayang
Recurring cast
Angie Ferro as Uray Hilway
Maybelline dela Cruz as Baylan Asinas
Diana Zubiri as Kapid
Dion Ignacio as Kuling
Guest cast
Edelweiss Tuzon as young Amaya
Byron Ortile as young Bagani
Carlo Lacana as teen Bagani
Francis Magundayao as teen Angaway
Kate Velarde as young Marikit
Francheska Salcedo as young Binayaan
Julian Trono as young Rajah Mangubat
Abby Bautista as Alunsina
Yasmien Kurdi as Apila
Ronnie Lazaro as Posaka
Daniel Fernando as Atubang
Juan Rodrigo as Datu Pulahan
Leopoldo Wendell Salgado as Banu
Edgar Manuel as Waba
Jan Manual as Usbog
Tanya Garcia as Pandaki
Aubrey Miles as Magwayen
Pancho Magno as Agul
Aljur Abrenica as Dayaw
Rocco Nacino as adult Banuk
Kris Bernal as adult Alunsina
Dingdong Dantes as Ferdinand Magellan
Production
The plot of the series, which involved pre-colonial setting, urged the producers to build sets on various locations such as Pagsanjan in Laguna, Bolinao, Pangasinan, and Bagac, Bataan. The scope of the series would require the filming of the integral scenes on-location as opposed to what the producers have done for Encantadia (a television series) a previous high fantasy production which was shot mostly in soundstages. However, to avoid the need for the reconstruction of some of the sets as the on-location shoots are usually ravaged by storms, and also to lessen maintenance cost as well as for the production to avoid acoustic issues by shooting in a controlled environment, they also used the network's temporary soundstages at Marilao, Bulacan for most of the indoor scenes.
The production gave much attention to details with regards to the recreation of historical elements vital to the show's production design. Guided by the academe, they attempted to recreate ancient elements of early Filipino culture from the architecture, to fashion, weaponry and jewelry. Jewels were made in cooperation with the jewellers of Meycauayan. Some textile used in making the costumes were imported from various Southeast Asian countries.
The production also built an ancient warship known as Karakoa. It was made from an existing hull of a modern boat and was redesigned to fit the ancient descriptions of the legendary warship. The production spent more or less Php 2 million for a single unit of Karakoa.
Before the series started, a one-hour primer titled Amaya: The Making of An Epic was aired on May 28, 2011. The show was hosted by Cesar Montano and Miguel Tanfelix, it presented behind the scenes of Amaya from the brainstorming of the management including interviews from Jun Lana and Doctolero, the creative minds behind the story with the guidance of historians from the University of the Philippines.
In September 2011, Aljur Abrenica, Ronnie Lazaro and Yasmien Kurdi joined the series.