Luna Blanca is a 2012 Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network, it is known for the controversial use of blackface. The series is the sequel of the 2008 television series Luna Mystika. Directed by Dominic Zapata, it stars Jillian Ward, Mona Louise Rey, Bea Binene, Barbie Forteza, Bianca King and Heart Evangelista. It premiered on May 21, 2012 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Biritera and worldwide on May 23, 2012 on GMA Pinoy TV.^[1][2] The series concluded on October 26, 2012 with a total of 115 episodes. It was replaced by Temptation of Wife on its timeslot.^[3]

• Luna Sandoval / Luna de Jesus / Cara Amor Montecines – the main protagonist; the character is initially played by child actress, Jillian Ward and teen actress, Bea Binene for the first and second chapter of the series, respectively, and later by actress Bianca King as the adult version of the character. Luna is the twin sister of Blanca. Born with a very dark complexion and is believed as Rowena's offspring to an engkanto.
• Blanca Sandoval Buenaluz – the main protagonist; initially played by child actress, Mona Louise Rey and teen actress, Barbie Forteza for the first and second chapter of the series, respectively, and later by actress Heart Evangelista as the adult version of the character. Blanca is the twin sister of Luna.
• Rowena Sandoval – protagonist and antagonist (Book 1 only); the character is initially played by actress Camille Prats for the first and second chapter, and taken over by Lani Mercado for the third chapter of the series as the older version of the character. She is believed to be the last descendant of Luna Mystika, an engkanto blooded woman with a distorted face and her twin shadow, Celestina.
• Luis Buenaluz - protagonist; initially played by actor, Raymart Santiago for the first and second chapter of the series, and taken over by Christopher de Leon for the last chapter as the older Luis. Luis is the unico hijo of Doña Consuelo Buenaluz and the sole heir to their family business. Rich, handsome and with a good heart—indeed, a "perfect catch" for every woman. He has always been the object of Divine's affection but his heart remains true to Rowena, his one, great love. In spite of all obstacles and maneuvers, Luis will continue to fight for the love and happiness that up until now life had denied him.

• Divine Alvarez-Buenaluz – the main antagonist; the character is initially played by actress, Chynna Ortaleza for the first and second chapter, and taken over by Carmi Martin for the last chapter of the series as the older version of the character.
• Doña Consuelo Buenaluz - played by Marissa Delgado, Consuelo is the arrogant mother of Luis.
• Linda De Jesus - played by Gina Alajar; the character first appeared in six last episodes of the first chapter and officially become one of the main characters in chapter of the series.
• Joaquin "Aki" Alvarez – played by Kristofer Martin and Mark Herras for the second and third chapter of the series. He is a popular singer who becomes Luna's defender and confidant.^[4]
• Kiko - initially played by Nicky Castro as the little version of the character, Derrick Monasterio as the teenage Kiko. The character first appeared in the last part of chapter one.^[5]

As the show progressed, numerous minor characters appeared in the show. Alex, the character played by Marco Alcaraz, the best friend and confidante of Luis; Manang Eloisa played by Dexter Doria, the mean-spirited head servant in Madam Priscilla's mansion; Belen, Rowena's friend from the slum area, played by Jan Marini Alano; Yassi Pressman played Kate, the mean-spirited onscreen partner of Joaquin; Cara Eriguel portrayed Andrea, Joaquin's handler/manager; Alvin Aragon portrayed Boyong, the head of "akyat-bahay" gang; Marnie Lapuz portrayed Manang Bella, Luna's nanny in the third chapter; Jade Lopez played Roma, Blanca's loyal friend introduced in the last chapter of the series; Bettina Carlos played Cherry, the social climber girlfriend of Teddy, which was portrayed by Luis Alandy, the opportunist suitor of Luna in the last installment of series.

Associate producer, Jonathan Pachica, explained during the series' story conference, that Luna Blanca is a sequel to Luna Mystika,^[6] GMA Network's hit drama-fantasy series last year 2008, which also starred Heart Evangelista in dual role, as Luna and her evil twin shadow, Celestina. Also big part of the said series is Mark Anthony Fernandez as Dexter Samaniego, the twin sister's love interest. It premiered November 17, 2008 and concluded March 6, 2009.^[7] The prequel's story revolves around the twins' lives and loves and how their relationship turned from sweet to bitter as they compete for the heart of a man they both love. On the other hand, Luna Blanca's tale sets 30 years later. It tells the story of the twin sisters and their journey toward discovering their ancestry and, at the same time, fulfilling their personal destinies.^[8]

The connection between these two series was presented during Luna Blanca's premiere telecast on May 21, 2012, where selected clips from Luna Mystika was shown while Rowena, the character played by Camille Prats, narrating a story to a bunch of children about the Sagrado family and the engkanto-blooded twins Luna and Celestina and how the latter transforms into a monster every time the full moon shines brightly at night [intend to scare the children]. Lolo Igme, Rowena's grandfather portrayed by Dante Rivero [which also part of the prequel as Don Joaquin Sagrado], came and asked Rowena not to make fun of her origin again. In the story, Rowena revealed to be the last descendant of Luna Mystika, one thing she doesn’t believe, because for her, the engkantos and other supernatural creatures are just myth or mere products of imagination. Not until she encountered a black engkanto [a creature in the form of black smoke]^[9] in the forest and raped her. Rowena's nightmares are far from over when she gives birth to an unusual twin, one with fair skin (Blanca) and the other one with very dark complexions (Luna). Unknown to Rowena, aside from Blanca, Luna also has a mystical twin shadow,^[10] the same eerie creature first unveiled in Luna Mystika.

On May 2, 2012 at the story conference of the series, Cheryl Ching-Sy, the Senior Program Manager,^[11] explained that the series is a multi-generational drama.^[12] It will run for three chapters with a different line up of actors starring in each generation's story. The production is targeting a 25-week run for the series.^[13]

The producer hired, director Dominic Zapata to handle the series. Although he's busy doing two projects [helming primetime series, My Beloved and filming Boy Pick-Up: The Movie]^[14] at that time, Zapata accepted the job, said that he loves his work, he's hardly rest, but he's not complaining because he is a certified workaholic.^[15] Zapata is known as the "golden boy" of GMA Network, for having directed top-rated shows like T.G.I.S., Mulawin, Captain Barbell, Darna, Ako si Kim Samsoon, LaLola, Diva and Grazilda.^[16]

Luna Blanca consists of three prominent themes: love, family and mysticism. On the first chapter of the series, the story focused more on family and mysticism. The first three episodes tackled the ancestry of Rowena, her connection to Luna and Celestina, the mystery behind the sudden lost of her parents [which her grandfather blaming it to the engkantos], she, being victim of sexual assault of a supernatural being [black engkanto], and the appearance of Luna's mystical shadow.^[17] Luna's mysterious persona doesn’t reveal yet until the first chapter ended. However, the story eventually developed into realistic drama, tackled the sufferings of Rowena's family, on raising her twins single-handedly,^[18] Luna's suffering because of discrimination and her quest in conquering her mother's love, care and acceptance,^[19] Lolo Igme's tragic death,^[20] the sisters huge love for each other despite their physical differences and the separation of the two. Camille Prats, one of the main characters in the series, explained that...

"The message of Luna Blanca is not all about social discrimination on the basis of skin color. It is rather the inner conflict, social stigma and the self-inflicted torment that a woman experienced after being raped by a supernatural being or an Engkanto. It was an Engkanto symbolic rape because the series is set within the paradigms of its preceding story, Luna Mystika."

— ^[21]

"The series will eventually develop into a realistic high drama with a social message overriding the mysticism of its prequel", she added.

On the second and third chapter, romance and mysticism became the main core of the story. The "love" aspect takes place when the two protagonists entered their teenage-adulthood years. The character Joaquin/Aki which played by Kristofer Martin and Mark Herras in the second and third book, respectively, served as the love interest [as well as the "intricator"] of Luna and Blanca. Mysticism takes place when Luna's persona finally unveiled; the return of Luna's twin shadow Annie;^[22] Devolas in human form, Diego enters the picture;^[23] and the transformation of Luna from being black to fair-skinned woman.^[24]

Chosen to play the lead roles in the first generation are child stars, Jillian Ward as Luna and Mona Louise Rey as Blanca. The two child actresses gained their popularity through their previous hit drama series, Trudis Liit and Munting Heredera, respectively. Marissa Delgado, a veteran villainess who plays the children's grandmother in the show, compares Ward and Rey; said that Ward reminds her of Niño Muhlach [mid-70's popular child star], for being witty, jolly and restless, while Rey, on the other hand is sweet, ladylike and reserved type, and flashes a wholesome personality on and off camera.^[25]

Portraying the teen characters in the second generation are Barbie Forteza as Blanca and Bea Binene as Luna. Forteza said in one of her interviews that she finds her role very challenging. According to her... "It is easier to play the Tweety Pie roles, but not when the role demands control and let your partner in a scene cower in fear and tears."^[26]

In the first and second chapter, Camille Prats, Raymart Santiago and Chynna Ortaleza^[27] were cast as Rowena, Luis and Divine, respectively, the three prominent characters in the series.

Production began on May 4, 2012, with Dode Cruz and RJ Nuevas serving as creators of the show, Kit Villanueva-Langit as head writer, Jun Lana as creative director, Mona Coles-Mayuga as executive producer, and Lilybeth Rasonable who served as the over-all in charge of production. The fictional seaside town of Santa Monica, where the humble home of Rowena's family located was entirely shot in some parts of Malabon. Most of the scenes in the second chapter (especially dumpsite scenes) was shot entirely in Barangay Payatas in Quezon City, and in some parts of Manila. While fictional town of San Sebastian was shot on location in Cavite City.

The series’ producer uses the classic and original Filipino Music, "Sana’y Maghintay ang Walang Hanggan" (lit. Hope That Eternity Will Wait) as the theme song. It re-arranged by Edward Mitra for the series and interpreted by Rachelle Ann Go.

The show was controversial for the use of blackface.

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of Luna Blanca earned a 26.3% rating.^[28] While the final episode scored a 24% rating.^[29]

Aside from the ratings game, positive reviews, both from critics and viewers outpoured. Alfredo B. Severino, a Bacolod-based writer of Negros Daily Bulletin^[30] reviewed that... "Luna Blanca is an Epic literature in many ways. It was not written in poetic style but the extended narrative, its press release called multi-generational story, and the development of an old folk tale qualifies it to be epic-based." While writer, Jerry Donato of The Philippine Star finds Jillian Ward and Mona Louise Rey as this generation's Flordeluna and Roberta who can touch the viewer's heart and make him shed tears as their adorable characters enter the School of Hard Knocks.^[31]

• Luna Blanca at IMDb

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