Rounin is a 2007

2007 in television

2007 in television may refer to:*2007 in American television*2007 in Australian television*2007 in British television*2007 in Canadian television*2007 in Japanese television...

 Filipino

Filipino people

The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....

 primetime TV series produced and aired by ABS-CBN

ABS-CBN

ABS–CBN Corporation is a Philippine-based media conglomerate. It is the Philippines' largest media and entertainment conglomerate. The corporation was the merger of Alto Broadcasting System which at that time owned by James Lindenberg and Antonio Quirino, and the Chronicle Broadcasting Network ...

. It is a fantasy

Fantasy

Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common...

 and martial arts

Martial arts

Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....

 series shown in Philippine TV and is said to be one of the most expensive locally-produced TV series aired in the Philippines. It is also the first Filipino series shot using high-definition video

High-definition video

High-definition video or HD video refers to any video system of higher resolution than standard-definition video, and most commonly involves display resolutions of 1,280×720 pixels or 1,920×1,080 pixels...

 technology. The series is line produced by Reality Films while Larger Than Life Productions is handling post, visual effects, VFX supervision, mastering and grading. The series is shot using Panasonic’s HDP2 technology. The series ended after one season due to failure to do well in the ratings game.

Synopsis

Rounin is the story of an elite group of warriors who live in a place called Lumeria. It also happens to take place on a totally different planet.

The Rounin(s) are tasked to protect the city and its inhabitants against the threats of Helion, the City of Death. Each Rounin specializes in a martial arts discipline, and is commanded by the master Rounin, the leader of Lumeria. While battling their enemies, the Rounin strive to adhere to their tenets - one that they cannot fall in love with each other.

The show centers around the quest of a young Rounin warrior, Mythos, as he tries to piece together his past to unlock his true identity.

Main Characters

The main cast and characters of the series are enumerated below.

Actor	Diether Ocampo Diether Ocampo Diether Ocampo, born in July 19, 1974 in Bacoor, Cavite, Philippines is a Filipino actor, singer and model.-Background:Ocampo's elementary education and high school were spent in Bacoor,Cavite and he attended his college education in De La Salle University-Dasmarinas. He has German and Chinese...	Cadmus	Prudence. The master of Rounin & leader of Lumeria. Master of the martial art of Furian (Shado and Katana). Rules with wisdom, not force. He is elevated as the master of the Legendary Rounin Circle that fought and won the Great War that finally gave Lumeria ultimate freedom and peace. He was the only survivor of the 1st Generation of Rounin. His original element was Earth, but later gained the element of Light (the medallion controlling all five elements) after being made the Master of the Rounin, and Ruler of Lumeria.
Luis Manzano Luis Manzano Luis Philippe S. Manzano , also known by his nickname Lucky, is a Filipino actor, TV host, VJ and model. He is the son of award-winning actors Edu Manzano and Vilma Santos, from whom he inherited his Chinese features.Manzano started his career as a commercial model for clothing brand, HUMAN...	Juris	Service & Justice. Member of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. The strongest (of the five) Rounin. His aggressiveness matches his mastery of Freega (Muay Thai). Justice is his motivation for combat. His greatest weakness is love. He has a forbidden relationship with a fellow Rounin, Aura. His medallion's element is Fire.
Angelica Panganiban Angelica Panganiban Angelica Panganiban is a Filipina film and television actress and comedian.-Early years:...	Aura	Passion & Love. Member of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. The master of Aria (Wu Shu). Love is her motivation for fighting…for the kingdom, and love for Juris. Unknown to her, she is also the object of affection of Creon. Her medallion's element is Wind/Air. In the closing episode of the series, Aura and Juris marry and have a child.
Rafael Rosell Rafael Rosell Rafael Quimpo Rosell IV, born 10 November 1982 in Norway, is a Filipino actor in the Philippines.-Background:The actor was born to Filipino parents based in Norway. His dad is Cebuano and his mom is Bicolano. Both migrated to Norway where he was born in 1982. A full-blooded Filipino, though raised...	Creon	Pride & Freedom. Member of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. The Master of Armada (Capoeira). He is the son of Xander - 1st Generation Rounin, alongside with Master Cadmus. He feels pressure of being the son of Xander, A legendary Rounin. He was Juris' best friend, but became best friends with Venom later on; he had always resented his being second best to Juris in combat and in Aura’s heart. His medallion's element is Water. He is vanquished by his long lost brother Mythos in battle.
Nikki Gil Nikki Gil Monica Pauline "Nikki" Gil is a Filipino singer, actress, host, model and myx VJ.-Biography:Monica Pauline Gil was born in Manila to Dino and Julie Gil. She is of Filipino, Spanish and German descent...	Leal	Patriotism & Loyalty. Member of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. Master of Katana (Kali). A Rounin that truly goes by the book; she is the second strongest (loyal) Rounin. She is Aura's confidant. She is a true friend to her peers and a joyous person that endears to the people around her. She has a complicated past involving her love to Xyrus and her duty as a Rounin. Her deceased father's un-fulfilled wish to become a Rounin was what drove her to become a Rounin herself. Leal dies in the fight against Helion's forces. Her medallion's element is Electricity.
Jhong Hilario Jhong Hilario Virgilio Hilario, Jr. , better known by his stage name Jhong Hilario, is a Filipino actor and dancer. He is part of the dance group Streetboys in the Philippines....	Venom	Deceit & Discord. Member of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. Master of Shado (Krav Maga). Dark and secretive; always seems to have ulterior motives for his "just" actions. His loyalty is not with the kingdom, but with Creon, because he owes Creon for helping him (Venom) become a Rounin, himself. He is aptly named, as his true character is revealed later on. His medallion's element is Earth.
Rayver Cruz Rayver Cruz Raymond Oliver Cruz Ilustre, better known by his screen name Rayver Cruz , is a Filipino actor, dancer and singer.-Personal life:...	Mythos/Cleo	Strength & Bravery. One of two chosen, 3rd Generation recruits, to the current (2nd Generation) members of Rounin, and one of elite students to pass the elimination and reach the top four, at Zephire. Mythos possesses extraordinary fighting skills that, he thinks, might have something to do with the father he never knew. When his mother refuses to talk about his father and about their life, before they arrived in Vesta, he knows that he has to find his father and the truth for himself. Little does he know that he belongs to a family of Rounin - Xander being his father, and Creon being his older brother - and his true name being "Cleo". He later receives the medallion of Water, as one of the two new recruits into the circle of 2nd Generation of Rounin. In the concluding episodes of the series, it was revealed that Mythos' real father was not the late Xander, but Cadmus himself, which explains why Mythos is the most powerful Rounin of his generation. He eventually inherits the leadership of Lumeria.
Shaina Magdayao Shaina Magdayao Shaina García Magdayao , is a Filipina actress, dancer, singer and model. She is currently under ABS-CBN Management and a member of Star Magic.-Career:...	Selene	Respect. One of the elite students at Zephire, and top four chosen to become one of the two new recruits into the circle of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. She is Aura’s protégé. She has the making of the next Aria (Wu Shu) and Katana (Kali) master. She respects both her enemies and peers. Never bitter with defeat. She is the master apprentice of the Rounin school until Mythos came. She is happy to be reunited with Mythos and eventually falls in love with him. She later discovers that she is half-Helion, and that Vega is her half-sister, making Draco her father. She is later given status as Leader of the Palace Guard, if only for a short amount of time, to test her loyalty. Selene and Mythos are married by the end of the series, and have twin daughters. However, Selene's Helion heritage continues to hover over her newfound life.
Joross Gamboa Joross Gamboa John Ross Sanchez Gamboa, better known by his screen name Joross Gamboa , is a Filipino actor who is now a former GMA Network contract artist after moving back to ABS-CBN.-New career:...	Thalon	Ambition. One of the elite students at Zephire, and top four chosen to become one of the two new recruits into the circle of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. He is Juris’ nephew and protégé. Student of Furian (Muay Thai). He is Selene’s closest ally, but he is slowly falling in love with her. He will be Mythos’ Rival in combat and in love, much in the same predicament that Juris, Aura, & Creon were in. He later receives the medallion of Fire, as one of the two new recruits into the circle of 2nd Generation of Rounin.
Melissa Ricks Melissa Ricks Melissa Marie Ricks is a Filipina actress of Filipino-American descent. She was a runner-up in the reality talent search Star Circle Quest on ABS-CBN.-Background:...	Raysian	Competitiveness. One of the elite students at Zephire, and top four chosen to become one of the two new recruits into the circle of the 2nd Generation of Rounin. She is classmates with Mythos, Thalon, and Selene. She was also one of Mythos’ rivals, constantly butting heads with Mythos, during Mythos' first arrival to Zephire. During the Final Challenge, Mythos saves her life - carrying her while she was unconcsious; she eventually warms up to Mythos and becomes one of his most trusted allies in battle. She swears on her life, her complete loyalty & allegiance to Mythos, and later develops feelings for him. Soon after, she was given status as Leader/General of the soldiers prepared to attack Helion, traveling alongside the Rounin. She dies in battle trying to save Mythos against a possessed Selene.
Geoff Eigenmann Geoff Eigenmann Geoff Eigenmann is a Filipino actor notable for his performances in television; he is a member of the Eigenmann showbiz clan. He started out with GMA Network as part of a joint drama series with TAPE Productions and later was part of ABS-CBN's Star Magic and starred in their shows...	Xyrus	Wariness. He was sent to the city-prison, Argos, as punishment for killing a man while trying to protect Leal. He unwillingly worked for Septo while in Argos, but had turned on him after having met, spoken with, and helped, Juris. He becomes instrumental in saving and releasing Juris from being imprisoned in Argos. He is granted amnesty and is allowed to be free once again (more accurately, he was granted residency in Lumeria upon the end of the term of his punishment & imprisonment in Argos, coinciding upon the same time as Juris' extraction from Argos). He comes face to face with Leal, his former love. He ends up being a loyal and strong warrior, alongside the Rounin, helping to protect Lumeria, especially the Palace of Master Cadmus.
Aubrey Miles Aubrey Miles Aubrey Miles is a Filipina television host, singer and actress.-Early life and education:Miles was born in Caloocan, Philippines, to Victorino Sandel and Maria Perla Santos. At 16, Miles, the third among four children, was already appearing in GMA sitcoms like Beh Bote Nga and German Moreno's Best...	Vega	The daughter of Draco - the king of Helion, and heiress to the throne of Helion, the arch-enemy of Cadmus and the entire kingdom of Lumeria. She resurrects and falls in love with Creon, using her power as a Helion and the power of the Water medallion. She later discovers that Selene is her half-sister, after Selene is captured in an attempt to lure Mythos, so that he would give up his medallion, for Selene's release. She is killed by Aura in a duel.
Agot Isidro Agot Isidro Agot Isidro is a recording artist, actress, host, and TV personality in the Philippines.Born as Maria Margarita Amada Fteha Isidro, she is the fourth of the six children of Edwarta Fteha and Jose Isidro. She graduated from the University of the Philippines, Diliman with a Bachelor's Degree in...	Naya	Naya would do just about anything for her daughter Selene. She may seem a social climbing and money-hungry woman but in truth she only wants Selene to escape the danger of her own sordid past. Her drive for Selene to become a Rounin is so that the power of a Rounin medallion would suppress or prevent the Helion blood, in Selene, to kick in, and show Selene's true nature - thus putting Selene in danger, and being subject to be sent to Argos.
Ina Raymundo	Reema/Deinara	A good mother to Mythos(Cleo), who always thinks of her. She doesn’t want Mythos fighting, for fear of learning about the truth of his heritage. Always trying to hide their past, content to live a simple life and peace. She is Xander's wife, and Creon's mother. At one point during her marital disputes with Xander, she turns to Cadmus for consolation, she being Cadmus' beloved. Mythos was born as a result of this affair.
AJ Dee	Braulio	He is the right hand of Vega, the Queen of Helion. He is the one who executes attacks and masterminds plots against Lumeria. Secretly, he is in love with Vega and will battle Creon in her name.
Carlos Agassi Carlos Agassi Amir Carlos Damaso Vahidi Agassi popularly known as Carlos Agassi and simply Amir, is a Filipino actor, TV host, rap artist, and model of Iranian descent...	Septo	He is the camp leader of arrested criminals from Vesta, in Argos (a city-prison). He rules with an iron fist over a large piece of land, in Argos, and the criminals that inhabit those lands. He is feared by almost all except those who are from the Helion camp.
Monsour del Rosario Monsour del Rosario Manuel Monsour T. del Rosario III commonly known as Monsour del Rosario, is a Filipino taekwondo champion who has also starred in several Filipino and international action films...	Draco	A power hungry king (of Helion). His only goal in life is to defeat and conquer Lumeria, as what his elder did before him. He has a special vendetta against Lumeria, after Cadmus survived their false peace treaty-turned-ambush. As Vega’s father, his mission is to mold her as a leader and have her follow in his footsteps.
Aarron Junatas	Kirra	He is an Enyo, a race of people who look like children but are in fact adults, he is the first person that Mythos befriends inside Lumeria. He has the power to heal injuries except his own. He becomes instrumental to Mythos and Rouninship and the discovery of his own identity.

Other Characters

• Rico Barrera
  Rico Barrera
  Rico Barrera is an Olongappese actor, the first housemate evicted from the 12 housemates of Pinoy Big Brother 2005....
  
   as Amon
• TJ Trinidad
  TJ Trinidad
  TJ Trinidad is a Filipino actor.Trinidad studied at the Colegio de San Agustin and at De La Salle University where he took up Bachelor of Science in Commerce with a major in Marketing Management.In 2007 Trinidad was appeared in the music video I KNow single by Yasmien Kurdi.Trinidad appeared in...
  
   as Xander
• Jeni Hernandez as Armana
• Mhyco Aquino as Lore
• Paw Diaz
  Paw Diaz
  Paw Diaz is an actress, model and TV host in the Philippines. Born on March 1987 in San Pedro, Laguna came to mainstream attention when she joined ABS-CBN’s reality artist search, Star Circle Quest, where she emerged as a finalist....
  
   as Solana
• Janice Hung as Zelian
• Emilio Garcia as Pharus
• Juddah Paolo as Tyro
• Ronnie Lazaro as Mang Elli
• Owen Bowen as Young Creon
• Jairus Aquino
  Jairus Aquino
  Jairus Reuel Balagtas Aquino is a Filipino child actor and commercial endorser. He appeared in several Television advertisements before joining the cast of ABS-CBN's TV Series Super Inggo. The series became a nationwide success earning him the household name “Pareng Jomar”...
  
   as Young Mythos
• Sharlene San Pedro
  Sharlene San Pedro
  Sharlene San Pedro or Sharlene Santos San Pedro is a Filipina child actress born on April 5, 1998. She is popularly known for playing the role of Gigi in Mga Anghel na Walang Langit. She also appears in the children's gag show Goin' Bulilit creating different characters.- Television :- Movies...
  
   as Young Selene
• Bea Nicolas

Production

Rounin's story actually began in November 2005, when writer Philip King and creative manager Rondel Lindayag pitched the idea of the heroic "Rounin of Lumeria" to ABS-CBN executives. So unique and impressive was this idea, then known as project Mythos, it took them one and a half years to complete it. Searching for good location took them months until they finally found a 44-hectare abandoned cement factory in Binangonan

Binangonan, Rizal

The Municipality of Binangonan is a first class urban municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 238,931 inhabitants in 38,488 households in census. It has a land area of 64.38 km²....

, Rizal

Rizal

Rizal is a province located in the CALABARZON , just 16 kilometers east of Manila. The province was named after the country's national hero, José Rizal. Rizal Governor Casimiro A. Ynares III on June 17, 2008 announced the transfer of the Capitol from Pasig. Its P 270-million capitol building,...

, and took two months to complete the cities of Helion, Lumeria, Vesta, Argos and Icarra. All of the cast went under three months of training martial arts

Martial arts

Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....

, capoeira

Capoeira

Capoeira is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, and music. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century...

, muay thai

Muay Thai

Muay Thai is a combat sport from Thailand that uses stand-up striking along with various clinching techniques. It is similar to other Indochinese kickboxing systems, namely pradal serey from Cambodia, tomoi from Malaysia, lethwei from Myanmar and muay Lao from Laos...

, judo

Judo

is a modern martial art and combat sport created in Japan in 1882 by Jigoro Kano. Its most prominent feature is its competitive element, where the object is to either throw or takedown one's opponent to the ground, immobilize or otherwise subdue one's opponent with a grappling maneuver, or force an...

, kali

Kali

' , also known as ' , is the Hindu goddess associated with power, shakti. The name Kali comes from kāla, which means black, time, death, lord of death, Shiva. Kali means "the black one". Since Shiva is called Kāla - the eternal time, Kālī, his consort, also means "Time" or "Death" . Hence, Kāli is...

, arnis

Arnis

Arnis may refer to:*A Filipino martial art, see Eskrima**a modern version of the traditional martial art, see Modern Arnis*Arnis, Germany, a small town in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany...

 and wushu

Chinese martial arts

Chinese martial arts, also referred to by the Mandarin Chinese term wushu and popularly as kung fu , are a number of fighting styles that have developed over the centuries in China. These fighting styles are often classified according to common traits, identified as "families" , "sects" or...

.

Soundtrack

The original soundtrack was released by Star Records

Star Records

Star Records, referring loosely to two companies, Star Recording and Star Songs Music Publishing, is an ABS-CBN Entertainment Group company whose main lines of business include: producing, developing and distributing audio and video content; music publishing; events production and music artists...

 which include ten tracks including the theme song entitled "Argos" which was composed and interpreted by the band, Bamboo

Bamboo (band)

Bamboo was a Filipino alternative rock supergroup founded in 2002 by Francisco "Bamboo" Mañalac, Ira Cruz, Nathan Azarcon and Vic Mercado.-Band origin:...

. Other tracks include the love theme for the series, entitled "Iniibig Kita" sung by Kitchie Nadal

Kitchie Nadal

Anna Katrina Dumilon Nadal , more commonly known as Kitchie Nadal, is a singer and songwriter from Manila, Philippines, formerly the lead vocalist for the alternative rock band, Mojofly. Kitchie's popularity in the female OPM niche grew after she released a self-titled solo album featuring her...

 and "Tanging Ikaw" performed by Shamrock

Shamrock (disambiguation)

-Plants:*Shamrock, a three leaf clover that is a symbol of Ireland*Oxalis regnellii, sometimes called "false shamrock"-Places:United States* Shamrock, California...

.

Also in the Rounin OST include 2006 Rockista grand prize grand winner, Bojo who sings “Walang Hangganan," Acel Bisa (former vocalist of Moonstar 88

Moonstar 88

Moonstar88 is a female-fronted band in the Philippine local music scene.As of April 2008, they have released three albums, Popcorn, Press to Play and Todo Combo, and collaborated on one track, Pag-Ibig Ko Sa Iyo, found on RoK On! Music Inspired By Ragnarok Online.They also performed a rendition of...

) sings “Sa Ngalan ng Pag-Ibig,” Rock icon Kevin Roy, of Razorback

Razorback (band)

Razorback is a Filipino hard rock band formed in 1990. Originally known for being regulars at the now-defunct Kalye, a club in Makati, the band had proven their onstage mettle many times over, via their own club gigs to full-scale concerts as well as for having opened for Rage Against the Machine...

 performs “Kailanpaman,” and the superband, Sandwich

Sandwich (band)

Sandwich is a Filipino rock band that was formed in 1995 by Raimund Marasigan and Diego Castillo for the purpose of fulfilling their mutual desire to work together. Castillo recruited former band mates from The Aga Muhlach Experience Mike Dizon to play drums and Myrene Academia to handle bass...

 sings “Humanda Ka” plus up and coming rock bands Bliss, Side Crash and North Groove performing “I Think Of You,” “One Last Time” and “Nasaan Ka Na,” respectively.

Premiere

On April 14, 2007, ABS-CBN aired a TV special entitled "The Making of Rounin: Ang Bagong Mitolohiya", a documentary on how Rounin was made and conceptualized. It was hosted by Anne Curtis

Anne Curtis

Anne Ojales Curtis-Smith, also known as Anne Curtis is a Filipino-Australian actress, model, television host, singer and VJ currently active in the Philippines....

 and Luis Manzano

Luis Manzano

Luis Philippe S. Manzano , also known by his nickname Lucky, is a Filipino actor, TV host, VJ and model. He is the son of award-winning actors Edu Manzano and Vilma Santos, from whom he inherited his Chinese features.Manzano started his career as a commercial model for clothing brand, HUMAN...

.