Paul Christian Ocampo

ON THIS DAY: Anne Curtis first swam as Dyesebel on ABS-CBN 12 years ago

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>On this day, Filipino viewers were introduced to Anne Curtis as the legendary Dyesebel on March 17, 2014.</p><p>The series marked a milestone in Anne’s career, as she transformed into the legendary half-human, half-fish heroine created by King of Pinoy Komiks Mars Ravelo. The series ran for more than four months and also starred Gerald Anderson, Sam Milby, Eula Valdes, Andi Eigenmann, Dawn Zuleta, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Gabby Concepcion, Bangs Garcia, and many more.<strong><br/></strong></p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773746160418OTD_10-Dyesebel.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><p>However, before Anne took on the role of the legendary mermaid, other actresses had already taken on the challenge of portraying the iconic mermaid in various film and television projects. Here’s a look back on the stars who took on the role of the popular Filipino icon.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Anne Curtis</strong></div><p>In 2014, Anne Curtis starred in the iconic role of Dyesebel in the fantasy series that aired on ABS-CBN. The series introduced the legendary mermaid to a new generation of viewers along with Kapamilya stars Gerald Anderson and Sam Milby. The series is Anne’s second time to portray a role of a mermaid after her hit fantasy series <em>Dyosa.</em></p><p>In the television series, Anne employed her “magical voice” to save her fellow mermaids, a nod to Anne and her iconic “singing voice.”<strong></strong></p><div><iframe width="1089" height="612" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/yOcB99SeCvo" title="The Voice | Dyesebel" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Marian Rivera</strong></div><p>Another well-liked television version was also done by Marian Rivera, who played Dyesebel in the 2008 television version on GMA. The show was a primetime hit during its airing. It was filmed in Coron Island in Palawan, Bataan, and Batangas. Marian was paired with Dingdong Dantes, who played her human lover Fredo.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773746994809Screenshot 2026-03-17 191841.png" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong></strong><strong></strong><em>Screenshot from GMA&#x27;s Dyesebel trailer</em><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Charlene Gonzalez</strong></div><p>Beauty queen and actress Charlene Gonzalez played Dyesebel in a 1996 movie. The show came two years after her Miss Universe experience. In a past interview, Charlene’s daughter, Atasha Muhlach, had once thought that her mom was a real-life mermaid as her parents showed her pictures of Charlene as Dyesebel.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773747080813Screenshot-2026-03-17-191941.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong></strong><em>Screenshot from Viva Cinema&#x27;s video</em><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Alice Dixson</strong></div><p>Alice Dixson portrayed the legendary mermaid in the 1990 film adaptation, giving a glamorous take on the character. She starred together with Judy Ann Santos, Malou de Guzman, and Richard Gomez. This was also the first production of <em>Dyesebel</em> that included underwater scenes.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773747112752Screenshot 2026-03-17 192311.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em>Screenshot from<strong></strong> Regal Entertainment&#x27;s video</em></div><div><strong> </strong></div><div><strong>Alma Moreno</strong></div><p>In 1978, Alma Moreno portrayed the role of the famous mermaid in a film adaptation <em>Sisid, Dyesebel, Sisid</em>. The movie highlighted the beauty and charm of the actress in portraying the fantasy heroine alongside Matt Ranillo III, who portrayed the role of Fredo.</p><div><strong></strong><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773747179075Screenshot-2026-03-17-192353.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em>Screenshot from luningning realo&#x27;s video</em><strong></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Vilma Santos</strong></div><p>The Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos, starred in the movie adaptation of <em>Dyesebel</em> in 1973, directed by renowned film director Emmanuel H. Borlaza. She was among the first actresses to bring the legendary mermaid to life on the big screen. Her performance contributed to the popularity of the character in Philippine cinema.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1773747209733Screenshot-2026-03-17-192415.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/></div><div style="text-align:center"><em>Screenshot from CineFlix1&#x27;s video</em></div>

<p>Anne Curtis took on the role of Dyesebel, joining the list of select actresses who portrayed the iconic mermaid.</p>

Anne Curtis took on the role of Dyesebel, joining the list of select actresses who portrayed the iconic mermaid.