Faith Da Silva is making great strides in her showbiz career as she has been tapped to portray Flamarra in Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre, another anticipated Kapuso show this year. She will be joined in the lead cast by Bianca Umali, Angel Guardian, and Kelvin Miranda as Terra, Deia, and Adamus, respectively.
The latest additions — Flamarra, Terra, Deia, and Adamus — to the growing Encantadia company of dramatis personae are described as the keepers and protectors of Brilyante ng Apoy, Brilyante ng Lupa, Brilyante ng Hangin, and Brilyante ng Tubig.
“Among the four of us playing Sang’gre, it’s Bianca who has begun taping for scenes,” Faith generously shared in a virtual interview with The STAR a week before Christmas.
“Since part of the Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre story is about the human world, magiging superhero siya duon (she’ll be a superhero in it).”
The production team was also busy working on the costumes of the other lead characters, added Faith.
As for the story arc of Flamarra, the character will grow up as an orphan, as her father Azulan will meet his end and mom Pirena will abandon her, shared Faith.
“There is an (impending) war that will make her (Pirena) decide to leave my character somewhere,” said the actress, whose details about her role remind one of a Greek mythology character, Odepius, who is abandoned by his biological parents because of an oracle that includes the demise of his father.
To understand Flamarra’s station in life, Faith said, “I’ve talked to people who are in that similar situation. It’s tough to explain the character’s (level of) emotionality. I also draw inspiration from a time in the past when I lived with my lola for a while. I was away from my mama and sibling. It was just me and my lola. But I still had a guardian (as compared to my character).”
Aside from that, Faith has to look the part and keep in tip-top shape because Flamarra becomes an empowered woman-warrior.
“Physique-wise, she’s not only sexy, but she’s also fit. I have to be fit. I have to look strong,” said she, adding that the training on Muay Thai and Wushu she’s been doing helps prepare her body to be, yes, agile in action-packed sequences, if one may add.
“It’s also a big help that the four of us playing Sang’gre are supporting each other,” she said, recalling how she has previously collaborated with Bianca, Angel, and Kelvin at various points in her career.
“We’ve been friends since we were 11,” said Faith of her personal and professional connections with Angel. “We go way back. We worked in commercials and attended acting workshops given by Sparkle.”
Faith worked with Bianca in such shows as Kambal, Karibal, and Sahaya, while she and Kelvin starred in Unica Hija.
She and her co-lead stars know the pressures and expectations for them to do well in their portrayals and contribute to the show’s success. But, as Faith said, “more than anything else, we should be excited of how big blessing it is for us.”
The role of Flamarra was not handed to Faith on a silver platter. She worked hard for it.
“I actually auditioned twice,” she remembered, despite usually coming from her TictoClock tapings and being already weary by the time she was reading for a role. It required her to leave her jolly host persona for some time and quickly immerse herself in a serious and action-filled scene of Encantadia.
Fellow auditionees were up for the challenge to execute the action routine. She had to learn and polish it right there and then. But Faith never gave up on her aspiration to be part of Encantadia.
“I would do everything to get the role. Last 2016, I also auditioned as the daughter of Pirena… I auditioned not just for one female character, but for all,” said she, sharing that after doing her last audition, she had an inkling that she did well.
What else can she share about Flamarra’s characterization and her other forthcoming projects?
Faith answered that the character is not really kontrabida (an antagonist), although her past might be the reason for her to have a chip on her shoulder, as some may think. Part of the character’s future is to see her having a love interest.
“We already finished a project, and we’re just waiting for its release,” said she.
Looking back on the way her career has gone so far and every opportunity that has come her way, Faith said, “You have to wait, but at the same time or while waiting, you use your time to prepare for it.”
“Your course of action and mindset should be aligned,” concluded she.