Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure, Now Showing

Ibong Adarna was first made into film in 1939 with Victor Salumbides at the helm. Urbano’s late father, Manuel Conde, was its technical supervisor. The movie featured Fred Cortes and Mila del Sol. In 1955, Conde remade it in color. Another version was released in 1972 and directed by Pablo Santiago. It featured Dolphy and Rosanna Ortiz.

Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure recently received the endorsement of the Department of Education.

Urbano’s Ibong Adarna is “very Pinoy”, so today’s Filipino youth can relate to it. Instead of a king, it has a sultan. It also has the nuno sa punso,  aswang and the Haribon, or Philippine eagle, and other popular local characters.

Prinsipe Sigasig was played by Rocco Nacino who will search for the magical bird, Ibong Adarna, as cure for his dying father Sultan Mabait (Joel Torre).

Leo Martinez plays the sultan’s greedy and covetous half-brother, Datu Maimbot, who asks the Witch (Lilia Cuntapay) to cast a spell on the sultan. Benjie Paras is his dull-brained sidekick Sipsipayo; Angel Aquino, the sultan’s wife Sultana Mabunyi; Ronnie Lazaro, the fierce chieftain Dulangkaw; and Gary Lising, the nuno sa punso. Binibining Pilipinas 2012 candidate Karen Gallman plays the Adarna.

Ibong Adarna: The Pinoy Adventure produced by Gurion Entertainment and under the direction of Jun Urbano.