# Lolong (TV series)

Lolong (international title: Crocodile Whisperer) is a Philippine television drama action series broadcast by GMA Network. Directed by Rommel P. Penesa, it stars Ruru Madrid in the title role. It premiered on July 4, 2022 on the network's Telebabad line up.
The series is streaming online on YouTube.

## Cast and characters
### Lead cast

* Ruru Madrid as Rolando "Lolong" Candelaria

### Supporting cast

* Christopher de Leon (season 1) as Armando Banson
* Jean Garcia as Donatella "Dona" Banson
* Shaira Diaz as Elsie Dominguez
* Arra San Agustin (season 1) as Isabella "Bella" Melendez
* Paul Salas as Martin Candelaria / Martin Banson
* Rochelle Pangilinan as Karina Marabe
* Bembol Roco (season 1) as Narciso "Narsing" Candelaria
* Malou de Guzman (season 1) / Tetchie Agbayani (season 2) as Isabel
* Mikoy Morales as Victoriano "Bokyo" Dela Cruz
* Ian de Leon (season 1) as Lucas Morales
* DJ Durano (season 1) as Alberto "Abet" Dominguez
* Marco Alcaraz (season 1) as Marco Mendrano
* Maui Taylor as Dolores Baticusin
* Alma Concepcion as Ines Candelaria
* John Arcilla (season 2) as Julio Figueroa
* Martin del Rosario (season 2) as Ivan
* Nonie Buencamino as Nando
* Leo Martinez (season 2) as Kanor
* Rocco Nacino (season 2) as Flavio Elustrisimo
* Klea Pineda (season 2) as Laya
* Victor Neri (season 2) as Dominador Innocenio
* Rodjun Cruz (season 2) as Bungo
* Nikki Valdez (season 2) as Jessabel Hermosa-Calaycay
* Pancho Magno (season 2) as Franco
* Bernadette Allyson (season 2) as Anna
* Boom Labrusca (season 2) as Jose Dela Vega
* Michael Roy Jornales (season 2) as Leo
* Rob Sy (season 2) as Khaleed
* Jan Marini (season 2) as Jopay dela Cruz
* Gerard Pizarras (season 2) as Joshua dela Cruz
* Tanya Gomez (season 2) as Chona
* Archi Adamos (season 2) as Delfin
* Rubi Rubi (season 2) as Auring
* Karenina Haniel (season 2) as Wenggay
* Via Antonio (season 2) as Joy
* John Clifford (season 2) as Ricky
* Waynona Collings (season 2) as Rain
* Inah Evans (season 2) as Cinderella
* Nikko Natividad (season 2) as Hudas
* Nicco Manalo (season 2) as Boy Kamot
* Joe Vargas (season 2) as Tisoy
* Barbingot Forteza (season 2)
* Jennie Gabriel (season 2) as Roxie
* Saviour Ramos (season 2) as Wowie
* Kate Yalung (season 2) as Mila
* Jim Pebanco (season 2) as Nunez
* Drey Lampago (season 2) as Tres
* Ryrie Sophia (season 2) as Gelai
* Aljohn Banaira (season 2) as Memot

### Guest cast

* Leandro Baldemor as Raul Candelaria
* Priscilla Almeda as Gloria Candelaria
* Pokwangas Coring
* Sue Prado as Riza dela Torre
* Luke Conde as Benjo Dominguez
* Vin Abrenica as Diego
* Thea Tolentino as Celia
* Lucho Ayala as Victor
* Rafael Rosell as Reyes
* Ryan Eigenmann as Delfin
* Mon Confiado as Luciano
* Michelle Dee (season 2) as Apo Ayong
* Vangie Labalan (season 2) as Tonette
* Juancho Trivino (season 2) as Hector
* Chai Fonacier (season 2) as Mercy
* Marcus Madrigal (season 2) as Tigreal
* Kim Perez (season 2) as Miyo
* Don Umali (season 2) as Alex

## Episodes
### Series overview

| Season | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released |
| Season | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released |
| 1 | 65 | 65 | July 4, 2022 (2022-7-4) | September 30, 2022 (2022-9-30) |
| 2 | 43 | 43 | January 20, 2025 (2025-1-20) | TBA |

### Season 1 (2022)

Lolong episodes :
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date |
| 1 | 1 | "Premiere" | July 4, 2022 (2022-7-4) |
| 2 | 2 | "Lolong and Elsie" | July 5, 2022 (2022-7-5) |
| 3 | 3 | "Lolong and Madam Dona" | July 6, 2022 (2022-7-6) |
| 4 | 4 | "Lolong and Daks" | July 7, 2022 (2022-7-7) |
| 5 | 5 | "Lolong and Karina" | July 8, 2022 (2022-7-8) |
| 6 | 6 | "Sunog" (transl. fire) | July 11, 2022 (2022-7-11) |
| 7 | 7 | "Lolong Meets Bella" | July 12, 2022 (2022-7-12) |
| 8 | 8 | "Atubaw" | July 13, 2022 (2022-7-13) |
| 9 | 9 | "Palaban" (transl. fighter) | July 14, 2022 (2022-7-14) |
| 10 | 10 | "Hostage" | July 15, 2022 (2022-7-15) |
| 11 | 11 | "Bayani" (transl. hero) | July 18, 2022 (2022-7-18) |
| 12 | 12 | "Distance" | July 19, 2022 (2022-7-19) |
| 13 | 13 | "Pasabog" (transl. explosion) | July 20, 2022 (2022-7-20) |
| 14 | 14 | "Justice for Narsing" | July 21, 2022 (2022-7-21) |
| 15 | 15 | "Palayain si Narsing" (transl. free Narsing) | July 22, 2022 (2022-7-22) |
| 16 | 16 | "Lolong, Arman and Dona" | July 25, 2022 (2022-7-25) |
| 17 | 17 | "Dona Cares" | July 26, 2022 (2022-7-26) |
| 18 | 18 | "Bati Tayo" (transl. we are good) | July 27, 2022 (2022-7-27) |
| 19 | 19 | "Huli Ka, Lolong" (transl. caught you, Lolong) | July 28, 2022 (2022-7-28) |
| 20 | 20 | "Laban, Tiya Ninang" (transl. fight, aunt Ninang) | July 29, 2022 (2022-7-29) |
| 21 | 21 | "Laglagan" (transl. dropping) | August 1, 2022 (2022-8-1) |
| 22 | 22 | "Sakripisyo" (transl. sacrifice) | August 2, 2022 (2022-8-2) |
| 23 | 23 | "Karina, Get Get Out" | August 3, 2022 (2022-8-3) |
| 24 | 24 | "Chicken" | August 4, 2022 (2022-8-4) |
| 25 | 25 | "Bagong Mayor" (transl. new mayor) | August 5, 2022 (2022-8-5) |
| 26 | 26 | "Takas" (transl. escape) | August 8, 2022 (2022-8-8) |
| 27 | 27 | "Atubaw Reveal" | August 9, 2022 (2022-8-9) |
| 28 | 28 | "Dakila vs. Armando" | August 10, 2022 (2022-8-10) |
| 29 | 29 | "Daks, Tago" (transl. Daks, hide) | August 11, 2022 (2022-8-11) |
| 30 | 30 | "Lolong, Save Dakila" | August 12, 2022 (2022-8-12) |

### Lolong: Bagong Yugto

Lolong: Bagong Yugto episodes :
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Original release date |
| 31 | 1 | "Bagong Yugto" (transl. new chapter) | August 15, 2022 (2022-8-15) |
| 32 | 2 | "Lolong and the Tinago" | August 16, 2022 (2022-8-16) |
| 33 | 3 | "Lolong vs. Diego" | August 17, 2022 (2022-8-17) |
| 34 | 4 | "Lolong and Martin Kidnap" | August 18, 2022 (2022-8-18) |
| 35 | 5 | "Lolong vs. Armando" | August 19, 2022 (2022-8-19) |
| 36 | 6 | "Tinago Battle" | August 22, 2022 (2022-8-22) |
| 37 | 7 | "Atubaw vs. Armando" | August 23, 2022 (2022-8-23) |
| 38 | 8 | "Lolong vs. Elsie" | August 24, 2022 (2022-8-24) |
| 39 | 9 | "Lolong Reveal" | August 25, 2022 (2022-8-25) |
| 40 | 10 | "One Has to Die" | August 26, 2022 (2022-8-26) |
| 41 | 11 | "Martin vs. Armando" | August 29, 2022 (2022-8-29) |
| 42 | 12 | "Bagong Kakampi" (transl. new ally) | August 30, 2022 (2022-8-30) |
| 43 | 13 | "Atu Bros" | August 31, 2022 (2022-8-31) |
| 44 | 14 | "Sugod Bahay" (transl. house invasion) | September 1, 2022 (2022-9-1) |
| 45 | 15 | "Escape Plan" | September 2, 2022 (2022-9-2) |
| 46 | 16 | "Wanted: Atubaw" | September 5, 2022 (2022-9-5) |
| 47 | 17 | "Lucas is Back" | September 6, 2022 (2022-9-6) |
| 48 | 18 | "Celia for Sale" | September 7, 2022 (2022-9-7) |
| 49 | 19 | "A Betrayal" | September 8, 2022 (2022-9-8) |
| 50 | 20 | "Kapatid Reveal" (transl. sibling reveal) | September 9, 2022 (2022-9-9) |
| 51 | 21 | "Martin vs. Lucas" | September 12, 2022 (2022-9-12) |
| 52 | 22 | "Lolong vs. Victor" | September 13, 2022 (2022-9-13) |
| 53 | 23 | "Timebomb" | September 14, 2022 (2022-9-14) |
| 54 | 24 | "Lolong's Return to Tinago" | September 15, 2022 (2022-9-15) |
| 55 | 25 | "Lolong or Martin" | September 16, 2022 (2022-9-16) |
| 56 | 26 | "Lolong, Save Elsie" | September 19, 2022 (2022-9-19) |
| 57 | 27 | "Punong Buwaya" (transl. head crocodile) | September 20, 2022 (2022-9-20) |
| 58 | 28 | "Huling Atubaw" (transl. final Atubaw) | September 21, 2022 (2022-9-21) |
| 59 | 29 | "Lolong and Armando Face Off" | September 22, 2022 (2022-9-22) |
| 60 | 30 | "Truth or Lie" | September 23, 2022 (2022-9-23) |
| 61 | 31 | "Lolong to the Rescue" | September 26, 2022 (2022-9-26) |
| 62 | 32 | "Laban, Karina" (transl. fight, Karina) | September 27, 2022 (2022-9-27) |
| 63 | 33 | "Lolong Returns" | September 28, 2022 (2022-9-28) |
| 64 | 34 | "Halimaw" (transl. monster) | September 29, 2022 (2022-9-29) |
| 65 | 35 | "Season Finale" | September 30, 2022 (2022-9-30) |

## Development

Broadcast journalist Jessica Soho came up with the series' concept of conflict between humans and a crocodile, which was featured in her show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. Lolong is named after a crocodile of the same name, which was known as the world's largest crocodile in captivity. A 6.7 meters (22 ft) long animatronic, enhanced by computer-generated imagery was used to depict the crocodile "Dakila".

### Casting

In October 2020, Philippine actress Sanya Lopez left the series due to joining the drama series First Yaya. Kim Domingo was also initially attached to appear in the series.

## Production

Principal photography commenced in July 2021 in Quezon. It was halted in August 2021 due to the enhanced community quarantine in National Capital Region caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Ratings

According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Nationwide Urban Television Audience Measurement People in television homes, the pilot episode of Lolong earned a 17.7% rating. The season 1 finale scored a 19.3% rating. The season 2 premiere achieved a 10.8% rating.

## Accolades

Accolades received by Lolong :
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
| 2022 | Gawad Pilipino Awards | Best Primetime Series | Lolong | Won | |
| 2022 | Asian Academy Creative Awards | Best Visual or Special FX (TV or Feature Film) | Lolong | Won | |