Agua Bendita
Introduction '''''Agua Bendita''''' () is a 2010 Philippine fantasy drama television series based on the Liwayway Komiks comic book series of the same name created by Rod Santiago and directed by Malu L. Sevilla, Claudio "Tots" Sanchez-Mariscal IV, Don M. Cuaresma and Jojo A. Saguin. The series stars Andi Eigenmann in her dual role as twin sisters Agua and Bendita Cristi, together with leading men Matteo Guidicelli and Jason Abalos, with an ensemble cast consisting of Vina Morales, John Estrada, Pilar Pilapil, Alessandra De Rossi, Dimples Romana, Carlos Agassi, Pen Medina, Malou Crisologo, Jason Gainza, Malou de Guzman, Bing Loyzaga, Zaijian Jaranilla, and Zoren Legaspi in their supporting roles. The series premiered on ABS-CBN's ''Primetime Bida'' nighttime block from February 8 to September 3, 2010, replacing ''May Bukas Pa'' and was replaced by ''1DOL''.
Series overview  Season Chapternumbers No. ofchapters Chapter numbers (with episodenumbers) No. of episodes (each chapternumbers) No. of episodes (overall) First aired(bychapter) Last aired(bychapter) First aired(overall) Last aired(overall)'''2010''' Prologue 1 '''Prologue (1–2)''' 2147 February 8, 2010 February 9, 2010 February 8, 2010 September 3, 201011'''1 (3–15)''' 13 February 10, 2010 February 26, 20101–33'''1 (16–37)''' 22 March 1, 2010 March 30, 2010'''2 (38–89)''' 52 March 31, 2010 June 15, 2010'''3 (90–122)''' 33 June 16, 2010 July 30, 20103–42'''3 (123)''' 1 August 2, 2010'''4 (124–147)''' 24 August 3, 2010 September 3, 2010Epilogue 1'''Epilogue (147)''' 1September 3, 2010
Plot Desperate to save his wife from having a miscarriage, Marcial steals Father Guido's agua bendita, which is intended to cure Criselda. He manages to save his wife and their babies, but one of their daughters is born with unexplainable physical defect.
Cast and characters ===Main cast===Cast  Character Summary    Agua was born with an unexplainable physical defect: she can heal people with tears in grief. The ''Bida Kontrabida''. Bendita is the physically normal but insecure twin, who feels that her parents concentrate of Agua as a result of her disability, leaving little for Bendita. She struggles with her jealousy but in the end learns to be humble and to love her twin sister. Ronnie met Agua when they were children, but when they met as young adults he was blind; without knowing Agua's real identity, Ronnie learned to love her for her personality. His mother was a maid from a rich Italian family who got impregnated by the owner's son. To cover the shame, Ronnie's father left them penniless with only a house. He is Agua's love interest, favoring her more than Bendita, due to the former's kind and naive nature. Paco the poor son of Criselda and Baldo, often called "Tod" when he was young. He met the twins when he saved their lives on separate occasions. Tasked by his mother to bring her Agua in order to be freed from her disorder, he often works different jobs which would lead him to the Cristi's during which he begins to pity Agua. He later becomes Bendita's love interest after being completely rejected by Ronnie.===Supporting cast===Cast  Character Summary    Agua and Bendita's mother, who caused Agua's disability by drinking holy water when she was pregnant. Mercedes' husband. A doctor. Mercedes' mother. She is very close to Bendita, but not to Agua whom she regards as a 'freak', but do loved her and care for her, as she was protecting her from the danger. She is pretend to root of Agua's problems and Bendita's ill temper. Doña Amalia's niece. She had feelings towards Marcial and Doña Amalia conspired to fulfill the Doña's goal of breaking Marcial's family bond. Padre Guido's niece who was the intended recipient of the miraculous agua bendita. She is Paco's mother and has epilepsy, which the agua bendita was supposed to cure. Later Doña Amalia and Criselda set a wicked plan in which they will kidnap Agua and kill her. Criselda's husband who is a gambler and a drunk. The original owner of agua bendita and Criselda's uncle. He asked Marcial to give the agua bendita to Criselda to cure her illness. Unfortunately, Marcial stole it for Mercedes. Padre Guido appears from time to time in Agua's dreams to help her use her abilities she has gained from the agua bendita for good, though he also appears in Bendita's dreams, where he tells her that she can't use Agua's abilities because she does not deserve such privileges, and instead make her understand the error of her ways. She and Marcial are the only two people who knew about Agua's disability when she was born. A fisherman who saved Agua from danger and raised her. Ben's wife who helped Agua from danger and raised her. Ronnie's mother. She was once a maid on a rich Italian family. She got impregnated by one of the owner's sons. Agua's fish (clownfish) friend. Lisa's son who used to court Mercedes. However, due to Mercedes' rebellion, she ended up marrying Marcial. When Mercedes and her family decided to migrate in America, he found a chance to caress Mercedes once again.===Guest cast===Cast  Character Summary    A fake healer who helped Criselda when they needed some money. Criselda acts as if she is being healed by Lucas to attract customers. Amalia's sister. She is Divina's cruel stepmother. Amalia's friend who owned the boat intended to bring the Cristi family to their hiding island. Tod's co-worker and friend   Daughter of the water theme park owner, healed by Agua.
[[Komiks (TV series)|Komiks]] adaptation ''Agua Bendita'' was a comic created by Rod Santiago in the 1980s. It was published by Liwayway Comics and adapted on television through the series, ''Komiks'' first aired in 2006 and again during Holy Week 2007, with two-part episodes in Season 1 starring Shaina Magdayao as Agua/Bendita and Rayver Cruz as Ronnie.
Launch ''Agua Bendita'' was launched as one of the ABS-CBN's offerings for the 60th Celebration of Filipino Soap Opera ("Ika-60 taon ng Pinoy Soap Opera"), during the ABS-CBN Trade Launch for the first quarter of 2010, titled "Bagong Simula" (New Beginning).
Promotion This show has been developed by ''Mga Anghel na Walang Langit'' and ''May Bukas Pa'' due to genre of inspirational, and values and religious-oriented drama series where Dreamscape Entertainment released these type of series every odd number of years from 2005 to 2021.It was succeeded by ''Momay'' also in 2010.
Reruns Agua Bendita was later re-aired on Jeepney TV after its initial broadcast.===Special Holy Week Rerun===In observance of the Lenten season, Agua Bendita had its encore telecast on Maundy Thursday (April 1, 2010), Good Friday (April 2, 2010), and on Black Saturday (April 3, 2010) at 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm as part of ABS-CBN's Holy Week presentation.The 3-part marathon special had ratings of "35% on Maundy Thursday, 26.1% on Good Friday, and 25.7% on Black Saturday".
Theme song The show uses "Malayo Pa Ang Umaga" as its theme song, originally composed and sung by Rey Valera. The first version is sung by Aria Clemente and the second version is sung by Vina Morales.
References
External links *  Andi Eigenmann Fan Site