''Captain Barbell'' ( / international title: ''Captain Barbell: The Return'') is a 2011

Philippine television drama Philippine television drama, also known as ''teleserye'' is a form of melodramatic, serialized, televised fiction in the Philippines. ''Teleserye'' is derived from two Filipino words: "tele", short for "''telebisyón''" (television), and "''se ...

action fantasy series broadcast by

GMA Network GMA Network (an acronym of its legal name, Global Media Arts and commonly known as GMA) is a Television in the Philippines, Philippine commercial broadcast network, serving as the flagship property of publicly traded GMA Network (company), ...

. The series is based on a Philippine fictional superhero of the same title by

Mars Ravelo Marcial "Mars" Custodio Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino people, Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist. Dubbed as the "''King of Pinoy Komiks''", he is notable for creating ''Darna, Dyesebel, Captain ...

. Directed by

Dominic Zapata Dominic Zapata (born February 14, 1971), is a Filipino television and film director. He is a graduate of the De La Salle University and Don Bosco Technical Institute-Makati. He took up AB Communication Arts and BSC Marketing Management (CAM-MMG ...

, it stars

Richard Gutierrez Richard Kristian Gutierrez (born January 21, 1984) is a Filipino actor. He is regarded as the original "''Fantaserye King''" for top billing multiple hit television series. Gutierrez is a recipient of a FAMAS Award and three PMPC Star Awards fo ...

in the title role. It premiered on March 28, 2011 on the network's Telebabad line up. The series concluded on July 29, 2011 with a total of 88 episodes.

Cast and characters

;Lead cast *

as Potenciano "Teng" Magtanggol /

Captain Barbell Captain Barbell is a Filipino superhero created by the writer Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez. His characteristics are similar to the American fictional superheroes Superman, DC Comics' Captain Marvel or Shazam, and Thor, but Ravelo bas ...

;Supporting cast *

Jillian Ward Jhyllianne Wardë ( ; ; born February 23, 2005) is a Filipino actress. She began her career as a child actress, debuting in the drama comedy '' Trudis Liit''. Her profile increased with leading roles in several daytime dramas, such as '' Prima ...

as Lelay / Super Tiny *

Lovi Poe Lourdes Virginia "Lovi" Moran Poe (born February 11, 1991) is a Filipino actress and recording artist. She is the daughter of action star Fernando Poe Jr. Poe is known for starring in two popular GMA drama series: '' Bakekang'' (2006) as Kr ...

as Althea *

Isabel Oli Maria Olivia Daytia-Prats (born October 20, 1981), better known by the screen name Isabel Oli, is a Filipina model and actress. Background Oli is the youngest of seven children to a Filipino father of Chinese descent and a Filipina mother of S ...

as Melanie Ocampo *

Christopher de Leon Christopher Strauss de León (born October 31, 1956), also known as Boyet, is a Filipino actor, filmmaker and politician. Often referred to as the "King of Philippine Drama", he gained stardom for his leading man roles in numerous film and te ...

as Nero *

Michelle Madrigal Michelle Madrigal Gaspar (born November 4, 1988) is a Filipino Americans, Filipino and American former actress. She was a finalist of ABS-CBN Corporation, ABS-CBN reality talent search, ''Star Circle Quest''. She has a younger sister named Mica ...

as Anita / Cyclone *

Frencheska Farr Marie Frencheska Mae Tobias Farr-Jose (born September 9, 1992) is a Filipino singer, actress and model. She was the ''Are You the Next Big Star?'' grand champion along with Geoff Taylor (singer), Geoff Taylor. Early life and career Farr was b ...

as Celina / Sonica *

Sam Pinto Samuelle Lynne Acosta Pinto-Semerad (born December 11, 1989) is a Filipino actress, model, singer, and video jockey ( VJ). Career Modelling career Pinto began her career as a print advertisement and television commercial model. At age 10, sh ...

as Sammy *

Solenn Heussaff Solenn Marie Adea Heussaff-Bolzico (; born July 20, 1985) is a Filipino actress, model, singer and painter. She was one of the official castaways of '' Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown''. She made it to the final 3. In December 2010 ...

as Janna Esquivel *

Ellen Adarna Ellen Meriam Go Adarna-Ramsay (born April 2, 1988) is a Filipino former actress, model, and former internet celebrity. Her family owns various hotels, condominiums and Queensland and Madonna, a chain of motels in Cebu, Manila and Davao. They ...

as Katrina "Kat" Lazatin / Fuega *

Jake Vargas Jhake Angelo Cunanan Vargas (born July 9, 1992), better known as Jake Vargas, is a Filipino actor and musician. He is notable for his appearances in television series such as '' Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts'' (2010), '' Pepito Manaloto'' (2 ...

as Alden / Spin *

Bea Binene Beanca Marie "Bea" Binene (born November 4, 1997) is a Filipino actress. She began her career as a finalist on '' StarStruck Kids'' in 2004. She is best known for her role as Natalie Dimaculangan in the 2010 television series '' First Time'', ...

as Misha / Blade *

Mike Tan Jan Michael Silverio Tan (born December 31, 1986), is a Filipino actor, dancer, and model. He became famous after winning in the second batch of the reality show '' StarStruck'' aired on GMA Network. He is currently an exclusive talent of GM ...

as Teban / Anino * Eddie Gutierrez as Armando Chavez *

TJ Trinidad Raul "TJ" Fenstad Trinidad Jr. (born January 22, 1976) is a Filipino actor and businessman. Early life Trindad graduated high school from Colegio de San Agustin and studied marketing at De La Salle University. As a student, Trinidad joined ...

as Gregor Javier / Metal Man * Akihiro Sato as Bruno / Higante * Paolo Paraiso as Rodel / Buhangin *

Ervic Vijandre John Ervic Manalo Vijandre (born January 26, 1986) is a Filipino professional basketball player, actor, model, and politician. As a basketball player, he plays for the Marikina Shoemasters of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). A ...

as Ricky Alejandre / Kidlat * Jon Hall as Robert *

Stef Prescott The fourth season of '' StarStruck'', also known as ''StarStruck: The Next Level'', is a Philippine television reality talent competition show, was broadcast on GMA Network. Hosted by Dingdong Dantes, Jolina Magdangal and Raymond Gutierrez, it ...

as Eva * Elvis Gutierrez as Gaston / Black Angel ;Recurring cast *

Ces Quesada Ces Quesada (; born June 13, 1958) is a Filipino actress and TV host. She is currently signed with GMA Network and ABS-CBN. Prior to acting, she taught Speech Communication and Theater Arts at the University of the Philippines The Unive ...

as Liya * Ryan Yllana as Bobby Santos * Jaya Ramsey as Dolores Fernandez * Marky Lopez as Hekki * Lloyd Samartino as Manuel Javier *

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino (born February 28, 1965) is a Filipino people, Filipino actress and mental health advocate who has appeared in more than 100 movies and television series and shows. She played the role of Virginia 'Virgie' Arevalo ...

as Evie * Christine Joy De Guzman as Angelina *

Saab Magalona Maria Isabella Simone Arroyo Magalona-Bacarro (born November 23, 1988), better known as Saab Magalona, is a Filipino actress, singer, and blogger who started in the TV5 youth-oriented drama series '' Lipgloss''. She is the daughter of Francis M ...

as Kristel * Nina Ricci Alagao as Corrinne Lumibao *

Joko Diaz Francisco Gutierrez Diaz Jr. (born April 26 1976), better known by his screen name Joko Diaz, is a Filipino actor. Throughout his career, he has won two FAP Awards and is three-time FAMAS Award nominee. He is best known for his antagonist and ...

as Bong * Fayatollah as Wifey *

Jade Lopez Jade Hanzel Dimapilis Lopez-Siccion (born October 22, 1987) is a Filipino actress and businesswoman. A former Seventeen Best Female Model, she entered Philippine showbiz through the first wave of '' StarStruck'' and became a finalist. Persona ...

as Melanie's officemate *

Jaime Fabregas Jaime Francisco García Fábregas (; born February 28, 1950) is a Filipino actor and musical scorer. Early life Jaime Francisco García Fábregas was born in Iriga City, Camarines Sur, Philippines to his parents Pedro Fábregas and Isabel Gar ...

as the president ;Guest cast *

Rhian Ramos Rhian Denise Ramos Howell (born October 3, 1990), known as Rhian Ramos (), is a Filipino actress, commercial model, singer, host and race car driver. Life and career Rhian Denise Ramos Howell was born in Makati on October 3, 1990 to Gareth H ...

as Leah Lazaro-Magtanggol *

Jennylyn Mercado Jennylyn Anne Pineda Mercado-Ho (born May 15, 1987) is a Filipino actress and singer. She is known for playing dramatic roles in film and television. She rose to prominence after winning the reality talent competition '' StarStruck'' in 2003. M ...

as Rose * Tin Arnaldo as Ofelia Concepcion * Dino Guevarra as Fernando *

Jennica Garcia Jennica Alexis Maitim Garcia (; born December 26, 1989) is a Filipino actress, host and director. She is the daughter of veteran actress, Jean Garcia. She is currently a freelance artist. In April 2024, Melai Cantiveros Melisa Bunayog Can ...

as Linda / Aswang *

Bubbles Paraiso Pilar Angela D. Paraiso, or better known as Bubbles Paraiso (born July 24, 1984), is a Filipino actress and the younger sister of actor Paolo Paraiso. She is currently seen on Kapamilya Channel. In 2025, Paraiso's social media post differentiatin ...

as Aswang *

Lilia Cuntapay Lilia B. Cuntapay (; September 16, 1935 – August 20, 2016) was a Filipina actress and former teacher. She is popularly recognized as the "Queen of Philippine Horror Movies" for her subsequent appearances in horror movies and exceptional contri ...

as Faustina * Rox Montealegre as Edith / Aswang *

Maxene Magalona Maxene Sofia Maria Arroyo Magalona (born November 23, 1986) is a Filipino actress, model, host, and yoga instructor currently signed under ABS-CBN. A former talent of the GMA Artist Center, she was known for her portrayals of Donna Vallejo on '' ...

as Dalisay *

Bianca King Bianca Charlotte King-Wintle (born 18 March 1986) is a German-born Filipino-Canadian former actress best known for playing the role as Noemi Manansala in the thriller drama series '' Sinner or Saint'' (2011), as Aviona in the hit ''fantaserye' ...

as Lary Gempez

Production

Principal photography commenced on December 15, 2010.

Ratings

According to

AGB Nielsen Philippines AGB Nielsen Media Research Philippines, commonly called AGB Nielsen, or AGB Nielsen Philippines, under The Nielsen Company is a global leader in audience measurement, market research firms, and data analytics, with a focus on media in the Phi ...

' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot and final episode both earned a 25% rating.

References

External links

* Captain Barbell 2011 Philippine television series debuts 2011 Philippine television series endings Filipino-language television shows GMA Network drama series Philippine action television series Philippine fantasy television series Superhero television series Television series directed by Dominic Zapata Television shows based on Philippine comics Television shows set in the Philippines {{Philippines-fantasy-tv-prog-stub