Fantasy series basically *defined* 2000s Pinoy television, and over the years there have been some pretty wild teleseryes on GMA-7, TV5, and ABS-CBN. Aside from magic and romance, one favorite trope was making the lead character a half-human and half-creature! We've seen artistas transform into out-of-this-world characters related to snakes, birds, rats, and even frogs.
If you miss this *era* of TV, below is a list of Pinoy teleseryes with ~half-human~ characters:
1. Paroa: Ang Kuwento Ni Mariposa (2012)
Not knowing she is actually the princess of the human + butterfly creatures known as the "Paroa," Mariposa (Barbie Forteza) grows up being ridiculed for her unusual features. Her peers even call her "taong higad" and what keeps her going is the love and support of her family and friends. Here's Mariposa when she transformed into a Paroa after experiencing metamorphosis:
2. Felina: Prinsesa Ng Mga Pusa (2012)
Felina (Arci Muñoz in her first lead role) was born with the features of a cat, and she grows up being a subject of curiosity at a circus as the "taong pusa."
3. Kokak (2011)
As the name suggests, the lead character is a frog. Well, to be more exact, Kara (Sarah Lahbati) is a young woman who was cursed as a baby and at times transforms into a frog. The only way for Kara to break the curse is if she finds true love.
4. Galema: Anak Ni Zuma (2013)
Despite being the child of the monster Zuma and having two snakes attached to her body, Galema (Andi Eigenmann) grows up with a loving family. The series follows Galema as she seeks a normal life, falls in love, and faces her true father.
5. Hiram Na Mukha (2007)
After being branded by the townspeople as "taong unggoy" because of her disfigured face, Carissa (Heart Evangelista) agrees to undergo plastic surgery and takes on the identity of socialite Alicia.
6. Mulawin (2004)
One of GMA's earliest fantasy shows, it told the love story of Alwina (Angel Locsin) and Aguiluz (Richard Gutierrez), who are both part of a tribe called Mulawin. The series even had a 2005 film sequel, Mulawin: The Movie, and a 2017 remake called Mulawin Vs. Ravena.
7. Ang Lihim Ni Annasandra (2014)
After being cursed as a child, Annasandra (Andrea Torres) turns into a supernatural creature called "awok" at night. Despite her secret, Annasandra works as a market vendor to help her parents.
8. Kambal Sa Uma (2009)
Melissa Ricks plays a half-human and half-rat character named Ella, while Shaina Magdayao plays the role of Ella's twin sister Vira. Unknown to many, Vira also has rat-like features and has a "hairy birthmark" on her back.
9. Dragon Lady (2019)
Celestina (Janine Gutierrez) is a woman cursed to be half-human and half-dragon. GMA tells us that after Celestina is "hunted and burned at the stake for her appearance, she survives, sheds her dragon-like features, and emerges as a beautiful woman."
10. Marina (2004) and Dyesebel (2008)
It's impossible to talk about mermaids without thinking of these two! After Marina (Claudine Barretto) and Dyesebel (Marian Rivera) *dived* into our TV screens, we met many other TV mermaids over the years such as Marinara (Rufa Mae Quinto), Mutya (Mutya Orquia), Aryana (Ella Cruz), Dyosa Agua (Anne Curtis), and Alona (Louise Delos Reyes).
11. Lobo (2008)
According to ABS-CBN, Lyka (Angel Locsin) and Noah (Piolo Pascual) are "two childhood friends who meet up again in their 20s and fall in love. But their devotion to each other is tested when Lyka transforms into the last savior of the werewolves in order to fulfill her destiny." Lobo was so successful, it was followed by the teleseryes Imortal (2010) and La Luna Sangre (2017).
12. Dyosa (2008)
Anne Curtis plays Josephine, a teenager who is actually the dyosa of land, air, and water. She only discovers her supernatural abilities when she turns 18! Anne took on different forms in the show, including a centaur (Dyosa Tierra), a mermaid (Dyosa Agua), and a harpy (Dyosa Cielo).
13. Cassandra: Warrior Angel (2013)
Half-angel? Yup, that's Cassandra (Eula Caballero), and she has a fallen angel as her dad and a babaylan as her mom.
14. Agua Bendita (2010)
A human born in water form, Agua Cristi (Andi Eigenmann) only wants to be with her family, but her twin sister Bendita (also played by Andi) sees her as a rival. Agua can also heal people through her tears!
15. Alakdana (2011)
Adana (Louise Delos Reyes) is born with the tail of a scorpion after her mom's rival puts a curse on her. Fun fact: Louise's leading men in the show were Alden Richards and Paulo Avelino.
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