Lastikman (TV series)

Mars Ravelo's *Lastikman* aired as a fantasy drama on ABS-CBN, occupying the Primetime Bida slot from September 24, 2007, to January 25, 2008. It succeeded *Princess Sarah* and was followed by *Kung Fu Kids*. The show, based on Ravelo's comic book hero, was helmed by directors Chito S. Roño, Jerome Pobocan, and Tots Sanchez-Mariscal, with Vhong Navarro and Iya Villania in the lead roles. According to NUTAM, it achieved the highest average rating for a Philippine television series in 2008, at 36.4 percent.

The story begins on the planet Igbao in the Haraio galaxy, where matriarch Amon Labao orders experiments on humans. The first subject, Ruth Abelgas, is abducted but helped to escape by a scientist named Irroian. The two fall in love, and Ruth gives birth to Eskappar. When the Council orders Ruth's execution, Irroian asks his friend Agaddon to return her to Earth. A spy named Maraam arrests Irroian, and Agaddon is wrongly labeled the traitor after fleeing with Ruth. Irroian later raises Eskappar on Haraio but, fearing for his son's life due to his human form, attempts to escape to Earth. During the attempt, Irroian is shot but manages to send Eskappar to Earth with a robot named Butao, which carries a recording instructing him to find Ruth. Landing on Earth, Eskappar sees a man named Caloy and follows him. When Caloy falls into a river, Eskappar uses his elasticity to save him. Caloy assumes Eskappar is a lost foreigner, takes him home, names him Miguel, and raises him. Years later, after witnessing his foster father's death, Miguel decides to become Lastikman.

In Chapter 1, Susan Navarro, an ex-beauty queen and interior decorator, is kidnapped by Agaddon and turned into Mothra, a moth-like monster that spreads respiratory illnesses and manipulates men. She infects and kills passersby in a park. A photographer named Albert survives and spreads news of the outbreak. Susan's mother later recognizes her as Mothra from a newspaper photo. Meanwhile, Evilone Pharmaceutical offers a cure. Miguel, depressed over Elena's plan to reconcile with Ken, considers dropping out of school but is dissuaded by friends. He returns to school and uses Elena's loneliness to get close to her.

In Chapter 2, teacher Ines Samantela is voluntarily transformed by Agaddon into Byutiki, a lizard-like creature that melts victims with acid. She targets those she believes hurt