Galema: Anak ni Zuma (transl. Galema: Child of Zuma) is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by ABS-CBN. The series is based on the comic book Zuma created by Jim Fernandez and the 1987 Philippine film of the same name. Directed by Wenn V. Deramas, Toto Natividad and Alan Chanliongco, it stars Andi Eigenmann, Matteo Guidicelli, Bryan Santos, Meg Imperial, Derick Hubalde and Sheryl Cruz. It aired on the network's Kapamilya Gold line up and worldwide on TFC from September 30, 2013, to March 28, 2014, replacing Dugong Buhay and was replaced by Moon of Desire.
The series was streaming on YouTube.
Contents
Synopsis
Galema: Anak ni Zuma began with Galela (Sheryl Cruz), who was raped by Zuma (Derick Hubalde), which resulted in Galema's (Andi Eigenmann) birth. Galela was led to believe that the infant was dead, but her sister Isabel (Sunshine Cruz) had decided to take Galema in as her own.
Galema is able to live a relatively normal, if sheltered, life under her aunt's care, disguising the twin snakes attached to her neck in fake braids. When she comes of age, she is recruited by the military to help them defeat Zuma. Any hope that she has of connecting with her birth mother seems to be crushed when Galela says that she never would have accepted Zuma's child if it had survived.
But despite her mental isolation, she finds a friend in one of her classmates, Morgan (Matteo Guidicelli). After much pining and a rocky beginning to their romance, Morgan proposes to Galema, and she accepts. Gina (Meg Imperial), Galema's cousin and adoptive sister, tries to seduce Morgan one night before the wedding. But, Morgan remains loyal to his future bride and rebuffs Gina's advances.
Morgan and Galema's wedding is interrupted by Galema's half-brother Dean (Kit Thompson), another child of Zuma, and Zuma himself, go to the wedding to get Galema's twin snakes, because he thinks that he will become fully human if he gets Galema's snakes, unaware that he is just another pawn in Zuma's game. In the ensuing battle, Galema's twin snakes are revealed to Galela, revealing her survival to her biological mother. Despite Galela's treatment of her, Galema, longing for her mother's acceptance, does anything her mother wants, including leaving the house.
Galema soon learns that she's pregnant. The impending arrival of her and Morgan's child helps bring Galema and Galela closer. The doctor says that the fetus has a mysterious long creature surrounding the baby's neck. Galema gives birth to a baby boy and a female snake, whom she names Ethan and Sophia, respectively. Morgan loves Ethan but struggles to accept Sophia as his daughter.
Meanwhile, Gina becomes engaged to Joseph (Bodie Cruz). At the engagement party held in Galema and Ethan's house, Joseph encounters Sophia, unaware that she is Galema's child. Believing that the snake is venomous, he lashes out and Sophia fatally bites him to defend herself. Gina, grief-stricken, tries to kill Sophia and to burn her.
Cast and characters
Main cast
Andi Eigenmann as Galema Carriedo-Villalobos/ Galema Castillo-Villalobos
Matteo Guidicelli as Morgan Villalobos
Bryan Santos as Lt. William Barredo
Meg Imperial as Gina Castillo
Derick Hubalde as Zuma
Supporting cast
Sheryl Cruz as Galela Carriedo
Sunshine Cruz as Isabel Carriedo-Castillo / Malena
Carlos Morales as Philip Castillo
Cris Villanueva as Richard Alvarez
Dante Ponce as Gen. Roger Barredo
Divina Valencia as Rosalinda Carriedo
Lito Legaspi as Agustin "Gustin" Carriedo
Joey Paras as Teacher Karlo
Kit Thompson as Dean Evangelista
Extended cast
Karla Estrada as Bettina Barredo
Tess Antonio as Yaya Deborah
Rubi Ruiz as Emma "Lola Ems" Villalobos
Boom Labrusca as Louie Villalobos
Carmen del Rosario as Yaya Bebang
Recurring cast
Tippy Dos Santos as Mindy
Shey Bustamante as Karen
Carla Valderrama as Beatrice
Bodie Cruz as Joseph
Frank Garcia as Bruce
Lance Serrano as Steve
Ronie "Atak" Araña as Bonjing
Pia Moran as Pacita
Rochelle Barrameda as Elena
Eagle Riggs as Juni
DJ Durano as Frederick Kazumi
Ya Chang as Ken
Cameo appearances
Max Laurel as Tatang Entong
Bing Davao
Dionne Monsanto as Jessica
Simon Ibarra as Pepito Villalobos
Lance Lucido as kid Ethan (finale episode)
Patricia Coma as kid Sophia (finale episode)
Special participation
Ejay Falcon as Sgt. Alexander Pagaran
Hideo Muraoka as Taizo Orochi / Emperador Tenok
Brenna Garcia as teen Galema Castillo
Kazumi Porquez as young Galema Castillo
Rhed Bustamante as young Gina Castillo
Reception
Galema: Anak ni Zuma charmed TV viewers when it premiered last September 30, 2013, with a 16.6% national TV rating according to data of Kantar Media Philippines, beating Pyra: Babaeng Apoy of GMA Network which only rated 8.3%. It peaked 20.0% on its fifth episode on October 4, 2013.