Lobo

Overview

Production

In 2004, Lobo was already planned as a project by ABS-CBN Studios with the original storyline centering on siblings who are both wolves. Robin Padilla was the first choice of ABS-CBN for the role "Noah" with Claudine Barretto as "Lyka". Kristine Hermosa and Bea Alonzo were also considered but these pairings was scrapped when Padilla transferred to GMA-7. In early 2007, John Lloyd Cruz and Anne Curtis were also offered the lead roles but turned them down due to a prior commitment to return to their roles for the sequel to the television drama Maging Sino Ka Man. The show finally began formal preparations, training, and filming with the transfer of Angel Locsin to ABS-CBN. The management decided to pair her with Piolo Pascual. Heart Evangelista was also offered "Gabriella"'s role now played by Shaina Magdayao. The choice of the dog who portrays Lyka's white wolf alter-ego brought about ABS-CBN's decision to buy a purebred dog named Brasca a White Shepherd all the way from France costing P200,000.

Summary

The plot revolves around young lovers Lyka Raymundo (played by Angel Locsin) and Noah Ortega (played by Piolo Pascual). Lyka is a young woman aspiring to be a fashion designer, working as a fashion assistant in the House of Elle. She lives with her aunt Clara and her step cousin Anton.

Noah is the adopted son of General Leon Cristobal, who takes over guardianship of Noah after his real father, Emil Ortega, dies in a tragic accident involving an unknown wolf. Noah is a second lieutenant of the Philippine Army, being actively recruited to join the Luna force, an elite team specializing in protecting humans from dangerous werewolves and vampires.

Lyka's position as fashion assistant to Lady Elle is foreshadowed by the fact that she is a werewolf who hasn't transformed yet, who doesn't know she is one because her werewolf mother abandons her as a child. Her mother is Vanessa Blancaflor Raymundo, daughter of Lorenzo Blancaflor, the twin brother of Eleanor Blancaflor (played by Pilar Pilapil), owner of the fashion house icon, House of Elle. Secretly, the Blancaflors are a powerful werewolf clan who leads the Waya Council for generations. Destiny brings Lyka to the seat of the Wayas.

Lyka is believed to be the last hope, the "Huling Bantay" ("Last hope/Last Guardian") of her fellow Werewolves. Lady Elle instantly senses her presence at a chance encounter, and immediately hires Lyka to work directly with her team so she could closely watch over her and help her through her transformation, which she believes would occur sometime or after her 21st birthday.

At about the same time when Lyka applies at the House of Elle, the Wayas are searching for their Huling Bantay who would have the strength and power to save the werewolf population from the deadly rays of the upcoming Red Moon ("Pulang Buwan"), a phenomenon that occurs every 500 years, which could potentially purge and destroy all the werewolves. Only the Last Guardian, the strongest Waya, can save the species by "raising the stone of Remus". The last "Huling Bantay" is Remus, who keeps the talisman for the next Guardian to use. Lady Elle is certain that Lyka is worthy and strong enough to be their Last Guardian.

In the House of Elle, Lyka crosses paths with Noah, Lady Elle's bodyguard and driver. Lyka and Noah fall in love, but their relationship is hindered by Noah's deep hatred for werewolves, as he blames them for killing his father and foster father. By the time they fall deeply in love, Lyka reaches her “time” - fully accepting her werewolf nature and the bigger responsibility as the Last Guardian. Despite the many obstacles, Noah and Lyka's love for each other prevails. They marry, and together battle and defeat their enemies.

Cast and characters

Extended cast

Lauren Young as Zoe Cristobal

AJ Perez as Bayani "Yani" Mendoza

Spanky Manikan as General Crisostoco Silva / Alberto de la Rama

Nash Aguas as Enrico "Tikboy" Kabigting

Gio Alvarez as Elton

Maritoni Fernandez as Dr. Vivian Lee

Simon Ibarra as Father Ben

Cris Villanueva as Minyong

Ahron Villena as Andrew/Omar

Archie Adamos as Leo

Evelyn Buenaventura as "Mananangal"

Janus del Prado as Choy

Eric Fructuoso as Rodolfo

Dionne Monsanto as Clarrise

Eri Neeman as Dan

Crispin Pineda

KC Aboloc as Annie

Timmy Cruz as Ylvana Zaragoza

Guest cast

Kier Legaspi as Nicholas Raymundo

Liza Lorena as Mrs. Blancaflor

Susan Africa as older Savannah

Bobby Andrews as Emilio "Emil" Ortega. Noah's father. Boyfriend of Nessa prior to her changing to a werewolf. When Nessa showed her wolf form to Emil, he got scared and called Nessa a monster. He later reconciles with her after Nessa went back to her sister.

Angel Aquino as young Savannah

Sheryl Cruz as young Elle Blancaflor

Diether Ocampo as Lorenzo Blancaflor

Christian Vasquez as young Leon Cristobal

Chinggoy Alonzo as Mr. Blancaflor

Alexander Romano as young Anton

Beatriz Saw as young Trixie

Jacob Dionisio as young Noah Ortega / Jay-Jay

Reception

Ratings

The show premiered on January 28, 2008, with a rating of 27.7%. This registered a higher pilot reception compared to Palos and Kung Fu Kids in Mega Manila ratings. The series finale got the high ratings of 33.4% (together with The Singing Bee, which garnered 33.2% in the nationwide ratings game according to the NUTAM (Nationwide Urban TV Audience Measurement) conducted by AGB Nielsen. Its average rating was 32%, ranked 8th for the year 2008, in AGB Nielsen NUTAM survey.

Theme song

Lobo's theme song, Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap (literal English translation: "You Are My Dream" or "You Are My Desire"), was composed by Ogie Alcasid and was originally sung by Martin Nievera. Halfway through the season, a duet version of the song, performed by Martin Nievera and Raki Vega, was introduced.

International release

The series aired in Kenya as She Wolf on Citizen TV in 2010.

According to ABS-CBN International Sales & Distribution, the series will soon be shown in different countries in Asia with the English title of She Wolf: The Last Sentinel. ABS-CBN Teleseryes penetrate TV landscape in other countries as it was also set to be aired in Thailand television. The series re-aired again on Jeepney TV starting March 11, 2013.

Sequel series

In 2010, ABS-CBN decided to produce a sequel to the series entitled, Imortal. According to ABS-CBN.com, Lia, also played by Angel Locsin, is the daughter of Noah and Lyka Ortega.

A second sequel entitled La Luna Sangre, starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla aired from June 19, 2017 to March 2, 2018. The sequel series was first revealed at the company's trade launch on November 22, 2016.