Encantadia coming back soon

Encantadia is one of GMA 7’s most successful telefantasyas ever. At the time of its release, it was the grandest, most unforgettable and most expensive production for Philippine television. The pilot episode was aired on May 2, 2005 and the series ended on April 2006. The telefantasya is a story about four Sanggres — Pirena (Sunshine Dizon), Amihan (Iza Calzado), Alena (Karylle) and Danaya (Diana Zubiri). They are the guardians of four gems representing fire, air, water and earth that maintain the balance in the land of Encantadia.

Encantadia consists of four kingdoms where different mythical entities thrive. These kingdoms — Adamya, Sapiro, Lireo and Hathoria — bear the four precious stones. The future of Encantadia rests on the four gems. But when the Hathors, from the kingdom of Hathoria, threaten to claim all the gems for themselves, war sweeps over the realm. It turns into a battle of three kingdoms against one.

The series was created by the Kapuso Network, which also produced the fantasy-themed series Mulawin and Darna. It was directed by Mark Reyes and Gil Tejada Jr., and written by Suzette Doctolero. The series was originally planned as GMA Films’ entry to the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival, but they later decided to make Encantadia a fantasy TV series.

The sets of the 2005 Encantadia were located in various places in the Philippines — Calatagan, Batangas, Kalinawan Cave in Tanay, Daranak Falls and Batlag Falls in Rizal, a 1,900 square meter warehouse in Pasig as an indoor set and inside the historic Intramuros of Manila. The series won the 2005 Teleserye of the Year at the Los Angeles-based Gawad Amerika Awards and won Outstanding Drama Series 2005 at the Golden Screen TV Awards. It is also one of the all-time highest rated TV shows in the Philippines.

GMA is set to remake Encantadia this year. In the remake, it has been confirmed that Marian Rivera will play Ynang Reyna (previously played by Dawn Zulueta), the mother of four Sanggres, but no official announcement has been made yet so far on who will portray the four Sanggres or the new keepers of the gemstones.

“Dear Encatadiks, I know how much you loved the Sanggres. They are your childhood heroes so I understand why may takot during the casting. And I’m sure whoever will be part of the new cast will also be afraid, knowing that they will be compared to the original,” said Suzette, the writer of Encantadia saga, My Husband’s Lover, Amaya, One True Love and Indio, in a Twitter post on Feb. 16 for the fans of Encantadia.

Some netizens also reacted on Twitter. From Gareth Regulacion: “Yes!!! Pero iba pa din ang original cast. (Still, there’s nothing like the original cast).” Angelyn de Lara: “Nasa ABS na sina Karylle at Iza. Paano na ‘yan GMA?, (Karylle and Iza are already with ABS. What happens now, GMA?).” Most of the netizens feel that the spirit of Encantadia is still alive in their hearts and minds.

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