Over the past decade, comic book movies have completely taken over Hollywood and the blockbuster film industry. Marvel Studios, owned by Disney, has played an enormous role in shipping this trend, far beyond what can be considered a mere understatement. Although they weren’t the pioneers in the comic book movie success (we have Richard Donner’s Superman, Tim Burton’s Batman, and Sam Raimi’s Spiderman to thank for that), Marvel served as the avant-garde when it comes to making movies connected to one, big cinematic universe.
Marvel’s cinematic universe success led to many other franchises attempting to replicate it. DC comics, under visionary director Zack Snyder, also tried to build their own cinematic universe but faced challenges due to differences in creative vision and complicated corporate studio issues. They are now attempting to reboot the whole thing with James Gunn at the helm.
In addition to these efforts, other franchises like the recent Transformers: Rise of the Beast (SPOILER ALERT) are trying to establish their own interconnected universes, connecting the GI:JOE franchise. Notably, Warner Bros. has its own monster universe, featuring Godzilla, King Kong and more. Hell, even The Conjuring franchise has a universe of their own.
You get our point — the Hollywood trend of creating interconnected universes is evident across the industry.
Amidst all these global cinematic universes, let’s not forget the local comic book scene in the Philippines. The early 2000s witnessed the dominance of Mars Ravelo’s creations in films and TV series. Superheroes like Lastikman, Darna, and Captain Barbel hold an iconic status among the Filipino masses.
Sure, you can reminisce and watch the movies and TV series and laugh at how crappy the visual effects were. However, you can’t deny the campy charm they possessed, which strongly appealed to the Filipino masses with their larger-than-life characters. We mean, there’s a reason why you refuse to switch the channel when Tony Y. Reyes’ Lastikman was on (Proooof! Pano mo nagawa sa’kin yon prof??! I’m such a bad boy).
In recent years, apart from ABS-CBN's reboot TV series of Darna, we've seen a scarcity of the beloved Filipino heroes in TV or film. However, there’s hope for the superhero genre to return, thanks to Epik Studios.
Epik Studios, under Viva, has proven to be a genius in storytelling with their captivating shows Maria Makiling and Osyana, available on Netflix. These exceptional visual artists focus on bringing Filipino folklore to the masses, exploring the rich culture and urban legends of the Philippines.
The release of Maria Makiling and Osyana was met with tremendous success, leaving audiences eager for more. To put it simply, we just can’t wait for the live-action adaptation of these incredible characters, meticulously crafted by Epik Studios if they ever get one (PLEASE MAKE IT).
While we anticipate their future projects, some celebrities have cosplayed as Osyana, bringing the character to life. One notable example is the talented actress Apple Dy, known for her roles in PANTAXA and HIGH ON SEX 2 on Vivamax. Her portrayal of Osyana is perfect in every sense, as Apple effortlessly embodies the sea protector’s attitude and appearance. Her enigmatic gaze perfectly aligns with Osyana’s character arc, as can be seen in the photos below.
For those who have watched PANTAXA on Vivamax, Apple’s journey to stardom is no secret. Her allure and talent make her the fan-favorite bombshell, leaving viewers eagerly following her path to success.
Want to get a more intimate experience with Apply Dy? Check out her store on VMXclusives!
