Nasaan Ka Maruja (lit. where are you Maruja?) is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by ABS-CBN. This series is based on the 1967 Philippine film Maruja and 1950s comics by Mars Ravelo. Directed by Jerome C. Pobocan, it stars Kristine Hermosa and Derek Ramsay. It aired on the network's Yes Weekend line up from May 2 to August 8, 2009, replacing Komiks Presents: Flash Bomba and was replaced by Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla: Tiagong Akyat.

Origins

Earlier versions

Maruja is one of Mars Ravelo's masterpieces. He first published it in comics during the 1950s. In 1967, the first film entitled Maruja was released starring the queen of Philippine movies, Susan Roces. The movie was remade in 1978 as Gumising Ka Maruja and again in 1996 as Maruja starring Carmina Villarroel.

Series adaptation

In 2007, ABS-CBN bought the rights to make Maruja into a TV series. Maruja was supposed to be included in Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection, which featured Susan Roces' most classical films. It was supposed to star Sheryl Cruz and Ruffa Gutierrez. But even before production began, the Ravelos stated that Mars Ravelo's name should be included in the title because Maruja is his work and not the movie firm's. ABS-CBN then decided to put the show's production on hold until the problem was fixed. A year later, ABS-CBN then released Nasaan Ka Maruja? as part of Komiks Presents which featured Mars Ravelos masterpieces. New actors and actresses were also involved in the project, because of some problems.

Synopsis

Cristy dreams of a certain couple, Maruja and Gabriel (Piolo Pascual), who had a hard time being together because of their different status in life. They were both killed after getting married. Little did Cristy know that she and Ross, her half-sister's fiancé, would bring back to life the unfinished love story of Maruja and Gabriel.

Reincarnation

The storyline deals with the concept of reincarnation: Maruja (Kristine Hermosa) reincarnated as Cristy & Gabriel (Derek Ramsay) reincarnated as Ross. Cristy Rivera (Kristine Hermosa) is a magazine columnist who possesses psychic & paranormal abilities that help her see ghosts. She has a half-sister named Helen (Karylle) who is engaged to Ross Lozano. Ross used to draw sketches of Maruja even before they met in real life. What is the connection between Cristy & Ross to Maruja & Gabriel? Will Ross leave Helen for Cristy? And what will be Helen's move? Cristy having an open third eye can see ghosts or dead people and communicate and talk to them.

Mediumship

Cristy believes that she can see the spirits or ghosts of dead people. This brings the idea of having a third eye but is also able to dream about the past or even see the future through dreams. Later, a ghost of her mother shows to her what exactly is this ability and that she should use this gift to help other spirits cross the light, at the same time, knowing her true identity.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Supporting cast

Guests by episode

Episode 1: Stefanie

Episode 2 and 3: Teddy

Episode 4 and 5: Jenny

Episode 6: Diane

Episode 7: Caloy

Episode 8 and 9: Sammy

Episode 10: James

Episode 11: The Real Gabriel

Episode 12: Romualdo

Movies

1967 original movie cast 1978 Movie remake cast 1996 Movie remake cast