Eliana (International title: Eliana's Twin / ) is a 2013 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Roderick Lindayag, it stars Kim Rodriguez. It premiered on April 15, 2013 on the network's Afternoon Prime line up replacing Forever. The series concluded on August 23, 2013 with a total of 93 episodes. It was replaced by Pyra: Babaeng Apoy in its timeslot.
Premise
The story revolves around the life of Eliana, a girl who was born with a black snake attached to her back. The reptile wraps itself around her hand every time she experience extreme emotions like sadness or anger. She spends her life hidden in a basement, until she manages to get away. In the process, she strives to find out the truth about herself and her family.
She will eventually discover new things and meet people that will eventually change her life. In the outside world, she meets new friends and two of them, Gabo and Julian fall in love with her. Gabo is a street-smart lad who accepts Eliana for who she is, while Julian is a fashion photographer who is bewildered by Eliana's beauty, not knowing that she has a snake twin. However, she also meets her rival, Margarita, who is Julian's model-girlfriend and unknown to everyone, her half sister.
Cast and characters
Lead cast
Kim Rodriguez as Isabella Eliana Cascavel-Dominguez
Supporting cast
Jean Garcia as Isabel "Bel" Cascavel-Dominguez (formerly Monteverde) Kristofer Martin as Gabriel "Gabo" Santillan Jomari Yllana as Emmanuel "Eman" Dominguez Chynna Ortaleza as Minerva San Beda Enzo Pineda as Julian de Vera Lexi Fernandez as Margarita "Marga" Dominguez Leo Martinez as Eddie Cascavel Eva Darren as Aurora Cascavel Sherwin Revister as the voice of Naja
Recurring cast
Antonio Aquitania as Sebastian "Basti" Monteverde
Sherilyn Reyes-Tan as Nora Dominguez
Carlene Aguilar as Angie De Vera
Jay-R as Nathan De Vera
Ernie Garcia as Samuel Dominguez
Carmen Soriano as Henrietta Monteverde
Mosang as Tetay
Rez Cortez as Prof. Banal
Aicelle Santos as Kate Banal
Sue Prado as Cora
Anette Samin as Claire Cascavel
Marnie Lapuz as Mrs. San Jose
Production and development
Screenwriter, Des Garbes Severino conceptualized and developed the series in mid-2011, initially titled as "Serpentina". The idea for the series is inspired from the urban myth—that has been around since the 80's—about the daughter of a mall owner who has a snake twin and dwells in a secret room/basement of the mall. The title later change to Kakambal ni Eliana.
February 11, 2013 the four main characters underwent "snake workshop" with two Mexican black kingsnakes. The drill required them to get familiarized with all the snake species.
Ratings
According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Eliana earned a 12.2% rating. While the final episode scored a 17.3% rating.