From damsels to defenders: How ‘Encantadia’ reimagined the Pinay heroine
When GMA 7’s “Encantadia” first aired in 2005, its creator Suzette Doctolero didn’t foresee it becoming arguably the most iconic fantasy franchise in Philippine television.
“Akala ko nung 2005, yun lang yun,” she recalled during a recent interview with The STAR. “Hindi ko iniisip na magiging IP (intellectual property) ng network siya na magwo-work. Okay na eh (the first one). Feeling ko, kung mag-retire ako two years from now… parang yun na yung contribution ko sa GMA.”
(“Back in 2005, I thought that was it. I didn’t think it would become an IP of the network that worked. I felt that even if I retire in two years, maybe that’s already my contribution to GMA.”)
Twenty years since the original series and nearly a decade after the 2016 retelling, the “Encantadia” universe continues to expand with the Kapuso primetime series “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre,” featuring the new-gen royal, warrior-blooded diwatas or sang’gres — Bianca Umali as Terra, Angel Guardian as Deia, Faith Da Silva as Flamarra and Kelvin Miranda as Adamus. Though there’s a male lead this time around with Kelvin, the show’s DNA of fierce, empowered women at the center of all the action remains.
Case in point, the pilot episode. “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” opened with a scene set in an earlier timeline, where the 2016 sang’gres — Pirena (Glaiza de Castro), Amihan (Kylie Padilla), Danaya (Sanya Lopez) and Alena (Gabbi Garcia) — were seen riding across a vast terrain on horseback before slaying a dragon they encountered on their path with their elemental gems. The sequence has drawn praise online for its cinematic flair and for its faithfulness to the core themes that defined the original series.
“Nung 2005, ang mga soap opera, ang mga babae, damsels in distress… Ang ‘Encantadia’ ay ang first soap na ginawa ang babae na siyang nakikipaglaban at nagtatanggol,” said Suzette.
(“In 2005, soap operas had women as damsels in distress… ‘Encantadia’ was the first that portrayed women as warriors and defenders.”)
She, nevertheless, acknowledged that around that time, shows were beginning to shift: “I think magkasabay yan nina Judy Ann (Santos) and Robin (Padilla), na si Judy Ann naman, police din siya. So yun yung start ng ‘ang babae ay nagiging strong’ yung mga characters.”
(“That was also around the time of Judy Ann and Robin’s show, where Judy Ann played a cop. That marked the start of strong female characters.”)
Also, she wanted to revamp the diwata trope, explaining: “How do you recreate, redesign and reintroduce the fairy to the people? Because before, (the fairy) was in white. But I didn’t want that. I was bored with the fairy in white, walking around.”
Spunk more than looks
For Suzette, choosing the right cast to play as sang’gres meant finding performers who weren’t just pretty faces but could project strength and complexity.
“May angas ba (Do they have spunk)? Can they handle weapons? Sometimes, ang ganda-ganda pero malamya (they can be really good-looking but lack energy),” she said, adding that they also welcomed casting new faces for the show.
“They can be a newcomer, but do they know how to act? Even in the 2005 version, ‘di pa sila masyado sikat (at that time), ‘di ba? So, I don’t mind kung hindi masyado popular… Kasi yung character yung mag-de-define diyan.”
Adding to the franchise’s roster of powerful women is the newest villain, Mitena, played by Rhian Ramos. In the past iterations, the central villain Hagorn was male, portrayed by Pen Medina (2005) and John Arcilla (2016)
“I love Rhian. Ang galing niya. Delicious yung acting niya,” Suzette said. “Nakakatakot siya pero mamahalin mo siya. Naiinis ka kasi kontrabida siya.”
(“She’s scary but you’ll still love her. She’s a villain that gets under your skin in the best way.”)
She recalled watching Rhian in the mystery-thriller “Royal Blood,” which led her to offer her the role. “Hinabol-habol ko siya… Sabi ko, fan ako ng acting mo. Gusto kong tanggapin mo ito.”
(“I chased after her… I said, I’m a fan of your acting. I want you to accept this role.”)
Two years in the making
Suzette said she wasn’t worried when the show, which took two years to complete, had to make certain production changes during its filming, including tapping new directors Rico Gutierrez and Enzo Williams. Original director Mark Reyes previously issued a statement that he had resigned from “Encantadia” to focus on “other work commitments.”
Suzette explained, “Lagi akong naniniwala na kahit ano man ang mangyari, laging blessing in disguise. I’m happy with this team also because they offered something new in terms of visuals and look of Enca.”
With the series already completed before airing, Suzette looks ahead to future expansions. “That’s why it’s called ‘Encantadia Chronicles,’” she said of the possibility of subsequent “books” that explore the stories of the main characters.
She also laughed off the question on whether the 2025 “Encantadia” actors had a no-pregnancy clause during the shoot — a reference to Kylie Padilla’s pregnancy in 2016 that forced major story adjustments. To recall, her character got killed off in the script and became an ivetre or spirit.
Suzette revealed that even Dawn Zulueta got pregnant during the 2005 version, which led to the early departure of her very important character. She played Mine-a, the Queen of Lireo and the mother of the four OG sang’gres essayed then by Iza Calzado, Sunshine Dizon, Diana Zubiri and Karylle.
Anyway, Suzette clarified that it wasn’t because of past experiences that they made sure to complete the shoot before the premiere. It was actually due to the extensive CGI work — and judging by the pilot week, the results should speak for themselves.
She said, “Tinapos muna namin sa post (production) and CGI. Kasi grabe yung CGI ngayon. Ang laki ng improvements.”
(“We finished everything in post and CGI first. The CGI now is intense. Huge improvements.”)
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