Descendants of the Sun: The Philippine Adaptation explained

Genre:	Romantic drama Action
Director:	Dominic Zapata
Creative Director:	Aloy Adlawan
Starring:	Dingdong Dantes Jennylyn Mercado
Theme Music Composer:	Gaemi
Open Theme:	"You are My Everything" by Julie Anne San Jose
Country:	Philippines
Language:	Tagalog
Num Episodes:	65
List Episodes:	List of Descendants of the Sun episodes
Executive Producer:	Winnie Hollis-Reyes
Location:	Fortune Island, Philippines
Cinematography:	Roman Theodossis
Editor:	Benedict Lavastida Robert Ryan Reyes
Camera:	Multiple-camera setup
Runtime:	25–42 minutes
Company:	GMA Entertainment Group
Network:	GMA Network

Descendants of the Sun: The Philippine Adaptation is a 2020 Philippine television drama romance action series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a 2016 South Korean television drama series of the same title. Directed by Dominic Zapata, it stars Dingdong Dantes and Jennylyn Mercado. It premiered on February 10, 2020 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing The Gift. The series concluded on December 25, 2020 with a total of 65 episodes.

The series is streaming online on YouTube.^[1]

Cast and characters

Lead cast

• Dingdong Dantes^[2] as Lucas Manalo
• Jennylyn Mercado^[3] as Maxine Dela Cruz

Supporting cast

• Rocco Nacino as Diego Ramos / Wolf^[4]
• Jasmine Curtis-Smith as Moira Defensor^[2]
• Andre Paras^[5] as Ralph Vergara
• Chariz Solomon^[2] as Emma Perez
• Renz Fernandez^[2] as Earl Jimeno
• Pancho Magno as Daniel Spencer^[6]
• Nicole Kim Donesa as Via Catindig^[7]
• Reese Tuazon^[5] as Sandra Delgado
• Jenzel Angeles^[5] as Hazel Flores
• Bobby Andrews as Eric Chavez^[6]
• Ricardo Cepeda as Carlos Defensor^[6]
• Paul Salas^[2] as Marty Talledo
• Lucho Ayala^[2] as Alen Eugenio / Snoopy
• Jon Lucas^[8] as Benjo Tamayo / Harry Potter
• Prince Clemente^[2] as Randy Katipunan / Picollo
• Antonio Aquitania as Bienvenido Garcia^[6]
• Neil Ryan Sese as Rodel Dela Cruz^[6]
• Ian Ignacio as Greg Abad^[6]
• Rich Asuncion as Janet Pagsisihan^[6]
• Carlo Gonzales as Val Domingo^[6]
• Roi Vinzon^[2] as Abraham Manalo
• Hailey Mendes^[2] as Judith Manalo
• Marina Benipayo as Olivia Dela Cruz^[6]

Guest cast

• Mike "Pekto" Nacua^[6]
• Tonton Gutierrez as General Cruz
• Sophie Albert as Liza Ayson
• Gabby Eigenmann as Ricardo Sintallan
• Andrew Schimmer as Jimmy
• Sue Prado as Sheila
• Kim Rodriguez as Denise
• Addy Raj as Alif Fayad
• Ronnie Henares as Ed
• Mark Herras as Orly^[9]
• Archie Adamos as Lito

Production

Principal photography commenced in July 2019.^[10] It was halted in March 2020 due to the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[11] Filming was continued on September 1, 2020 and concluded on September 10, 2020.^{[12] [13]} The series resumed its programming on November 5, 2020.^[14]

Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in Television Homes, the pilot episode of Descendants of the Sun earned a 10.5% rating.^[15]

Accolades

Accolades received by Descendants of the Sun! Year! Awards! Category! Recipient! Result!

2020	15th Seoul International Drama Awards	Most Popular Foreign Drama of the Year	Descendants of the Sun		^[16]
2021	34th PMPC Star Awards for Television	Best Drama Actor	Dingdong Dantes		^[17]
		Best Drama Actress	Jennylyn Mercado
		Best Drama Supporting Actor	Rocco Nacino

Notes and References

1. Web site: Descendants of the Sun (Stream Together) - YouTube . . May 7, 2024.
2. Web site: Anarcon, James Patrick . Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Rocco Nacino to join Dingdong Dantes in Descendants of the Sun remake . PEP . June 20, 2019.
3. Web site: Eugenio, Monica . Look: Here's The Main Cast Of Descendants Of The Sun . . May 1, 2019.
4. Web site: Stars who caused major changes in teleseryes: 2020 edition . Anarcon, James Patrick . PEP . August 24, 2020.
5. Web site: Caligan, Michelle . Look: Jasmine Curtis-Smith at iba pang cast ng Pinoy Descendants of the Sun, sumailalim sa medical training . GMA Network . August 16, 2019 . August 17, 2019.
6. Web site: Descendants of the Sun (The Philippine Adaptation): February 10 na! . . January 31, 2020 . February 1, 2020.
7. Web site: Ramos, Jansen . Nicole Donesa introduces her character Nurse Via in Descendants of the Sun; boyfriend Mark Herras reacts . GMA Network . August 27, 2019 . August 27, 2019.
8. Web site: Former Hashtags member Jon Lucas, pumirma na sa GMA Artist Center . PEP . July 2, 2019.
9. Web site: Descendants of the Sun debuts on GMA Telebabad this February 10 . GMA Network . February 3, 2020.
10. Web site: Look: Pinoy Descendants of the Sun, nagsimula nang mag-taping . Caligan, Michelle . July 30, 2019 . GMA Network . July 11, 2021.
11. Web site: Top-rating ABS-CBN, GMA shows make TV comeback as quarantine halts regular programs . Adel, Rosette . March 17, 2020 . . April 17, 2020.
12. Web site: Descendants of the Sun Ph officially resumes taping . Ramos, Jansen . September 2, 2020 . GMA Network . May 4, 2024.
13. Web site: Dingdong, senti mode sa pagtatapos ng DOTS taping . September 13, 2020 . Balita . May 4, 2024.
14. Web site: Descendants of the Sun: The Philippine Adaptation returns to primetime on October 26 . October 23, 2020 . GMA Network . October 24, 2020.
15. Web site: Descendants of the Sun pilot episode vs. Make It With You: which show wins in the ratings game? . Anarcon, James Patrick . February 12, 2020 . PEP . April 20, 2020.
16. Web site: Descendants of the Sun Philippine Adaptation wins big in 15th Seoul International Drama Awards . August 11, 2020 . . August 11, 2020.
17. Web site: 34th Star Awards for Television nominees bared . Anarcon, James Patrick . July 20, 2021 . PEP . July 22, 2021.