Juan dela Cruz (TV series)
A half-Tagabantay, half-Aswang hero faces his destiny.
ABS-CBN aired *Juan dela Cruz*, a Philippine television drama series, in 2013. The show was helmed by directors Malu L. Sevilla, Avel E. Sunpongco, Francis E. Pasion, Jojo A. Saguin, and Darnel Joy R. Villaflor, with Coco Martin playing the lead character. It occupied the Primetime Bida slot from February 4 to October 18, 2013, both locally and globally on TFC, succeeding *Princess and I* and preceding *Honesto*. This production marked the fourth high-definition television drama from ABS-CBN Studios.
The narrative follows Juan dela Cruz, a hybrid of a Tagabantay (Guardian) and an Aswang, who is groomed to assume the role of the next Tagabantay and defend humanity against Aswangs. The Tagabantay is a hereditary hero wielding the Bakal na Krus (Iron Cross), which can transform into five weapons: the Espada ng Katapangan (Sword of Bravery), Pana ng Karunungan (Bow of Wisdom), Latigo ng Katarungan (Whip of Justice), Sibat ng Kagitingan (Spear of Valor), and Kalasag ng Angking Galing (Shield of Aptitude). Aswangs, who appear human but spread evil and consume people, are the Tagabantay’s sworn foes.
The story begins when Samuel Alejandro (Albert Martinez), the Haring Aswang (King Aswang), schemes to seduce and kill the Tagabantay Amelia (Mylene Dizon) to secure victory for his kind. Instead, he falls in love with her, betraying his race. Upon discovering his secret, both attempt to kill each other, but Samuel flees rather than finish her off, despite his duty as an Aswang.
At age 20, Juan retrieves the stolen Bakal na Krus but remains ignorant of its purpose and why it belongs to him. He becomes a vigilante aiding those in need. Eventually, he joins the Kapatiran (Brotherhood), a group of individuals driven by personal vendettas against Aswangs. They have long sought the Tagabantay Julian (Eddie Garcia), Amelia’s father and Juan’s grandfather, who is imprisoned for killing Aswangs that authorities mistook for humans. When Juan accidentally transforms the Cross into a sword, the Kapatiran—led by Mang Pepe (Joel Torre)—recognizes him as the current Tagabantay, as only blood relatives can wield the weapon. They train him, teaching him the war’s history, his heroic duties, and the threat of the Haring Aswang, though Juan’s mischievous and immature nature complicates the process.
Juan falls in love with Rosario (Erich Gonzales), a 21-year-old woman he met as a chil
- Genre
- Action fantasy-drama
- Network
- ABS-CBN
- Air dates
- February 4 to October 18, 2013
- Lead actor
- Coco Martin
- Production company
- Dreamscape Entertainment TV
- Country
- Philippines
- Language
- Filipino
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Action / Drama / Fantasy / Horror / Comedy
- Creator
- ABS-CBN Studios / Julie Anne R. Benitez / Ethel M. Espiritu / Dindo Perez / Shugo Praico / Lino Cayetano
- Creative Director
- Ariel Camacho
- Developer
- ABS-CBN Studios / Rondel P. Lindayag / Lino S. Cayetano
- Writer
- Dindo Perez / Shugo Praico
- Director
- Malu L. Sevilla / Avel E. Sunpongco / Jojo A. Saguin / Darnel Joy R. Villaflor / Francis E. Pasion
- Starring
- Coco Martin
- Open Theme
- "Maging Sino Ka Man" by Martin Nievera
- End Theme
- "Sa Isang Sulyap Mo" by George Tagle
- Country
- Philippines
- Language
- Tagalog
- Executive Producer
- Roldeo T. Endrinal / Eileen Angela T. Garcia / Myra Afable-Chavez
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The series follows Juan dela Cruz (Coco Martin), a half-Tagabantay and half-Aswang who is trained to become the next Tagabantay, a hero who protects humans from Aswangs using the Bakal na Krus (Iron Cross). The Bakal na Krus can transform into five weapons: Espada ng Katapangan, Pana ng Karunungan, Latigo ng Katarungan, Sibat ng Kagitingan, and Kalasag ng Angking Galing. The story begins when Samuel Alejandro (Albert Martinez), the Haring Aswang, plans to make Amelia (Mylene Dizon), a Tagabantay, fall for him so he can kill her, but instead falls in love with her. Their son, Juan, is raised unaware of his heritage. At 20, Juan reclaims the Bakal na Krus and joins the Kapatiran, a group seeking to destroy Aswangs. He falls in love with Rosario (Erich Gonzales), daughter of Kapatiran leader Mang Pepe (Joel Torre).
Reader's Guide
The series is notable for being the fifth Philippine television drama filmed in high definition by ABS-CBN Studios. It was originally a film concept for the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival but was serialized into a television drama. The show quickly rose to become one of the most successful action fantasy-dramas, registering a 42.6% viewership rating nationwide according to Kantar Media data from February 21, 2013. Its plot twist reveals that Juan himself is the prophesied Anak ng Dilim, the most powerful Aswang destined to rule the planet and destroy the Tagabantay—which is also himself. The series spawned a follow-up series, My Little Juan, which aired from May 20 to September 13, 2013, focusing on Juan's childhood. The background music was composed by Jesse Lasaten and Von Guzman, performed by the Hollywood Studio Symphony, using instruments such as choir, duduk, bullroarer, and Yamaha GX-1.
Did You Know?
- The show was originally a film concept intended for the 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival.
- Angel Locsin was initially reported as Martin's leading lady but was later replaced by Erich Gonzales.
- The Bakal na Krus transforms into five weapons: Sword of Bravery, Bow of Wisdom, Whip of Justice, Spear of Valor, and Shield of Aptitude.
- A TV special titled 'Juan dela Cruz: Ang Simula (The Beginning)' aired on February 1, 2013, hosted by Kim Atienza.
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