RURU Madrid’s adventure-serye “Lolong” made quite a splash on its pilot airing as the GMA Public Affairs’ latest TV offering dominated the ratings and online trending topics on Monday, July 4.

Based on Nielsen Philippines' National Urban TV audience measurement overnight ratings for July 4, Lolong’s pilot episode, which aired on both GMA and GTV, posted a combined people rating of 17.7 percent – beating rival show FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, which only managed to get a combined people rating of 11.6 percent (TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Cinemo).

Lolong’s "dambuhalang" arrival on Philippine TV was also met with netizen’s overflowing praises on the show’s maiden episode.

From the story’s social relevance to its quotable quotes, powerhouse cast, CGI effects, and cinematography, Lolong became the talk of the town yet again–with the official hashtag #LolongPremiere took the number one spot on Twitter Philippines trends and amassed more than 35,000 tweets.

Madrid took to social media to thank everyone who watched the pilot episode with him.

Excitement has been brewing over the Kapuso primetime show ever since it was announced in 2019, and the long wait was definitely worth it.

Viewers were already treated to big, action-packed scenes in the first few minutes of the first episode where Lolong, played by Madrid, was facing a group of armed men led by Ryan Eigenmann and Mon Confiado raging war against the Atubaws.

Lolong, having the ability to have his wounds heal faster, managed to get the upper hand.

But soon Lolong found himself being attacked by a hooded man, played by young Actor Paul Salas, armed with a special knife, was able to inflict wounds on Lolong.

The scene then took viewers to an earlier time–eight years ago where a younger Lolong (Zyren Dela Cruz) was seen in his hometown, Tumahan, together with his parents Gloria (Abby Viduya) and Raul (Leandro Baldemor).

Here, viewers got a glimpse of the beginning of Lolong’s upcoming journey of discovering his identity.

Lolong was inspired by the idea of award-winning broadcast journalist and GMA News pillar Jessica Soho and Assistant Vice President for GMA Public Affairs LJ Castel.

Aside from the TV airing on GMA and GTV, the episode last Monday was live streamed on the social media platforms of GMA Public Affairs.

Lolong also stars Shaira Diaz, Arra San Agustin, Christopher De Leon, Jean Garcia, Rochelle Pangilinan, Malou De Guzman and Bembol Roco, among others. (PR)