As Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre continues to drop details in the lead-up to its TV debut in 2024, it’s no surprise that people are getting nostalgic about the show that started it all. The original Encantadia premiered on GMA in 2005 and went on to become a franchise that included sequels, a reboot and now, a spinoff.
Encantadia “pioneers” Iza Calzado and Diana Zubiri recently waxed nostalgic themselves, while looking back on how their roles as the original Sang’gres in the iconic Kapuso fantaserye changed their lives.
For Iza, playing the lead character Amihan (known as the protector of the gemstone of air) made such an impact on her that she even named her firstborn daughter Deia Amihan.
“Kaya pinangalanan si Deia ng Amihan (as second name) kasi sobra siyang nagbigay ng swerte sa akin. ‘Amihan’ gave me such good energy,” she said during a recent interview.
Iza will somehow still be part of the Encantadia “universe” after director Mark Reyes named one of the new main characters as Deia.
Iza’s child was just a few months old when direk Mark called the actress up to ask permission to use her name.
“I’m honored,” Iza shared her reaction. “Because the truth is, I don’t own that name. It’s a place in Majorca, Spain, and that’s how we discovered the name. So, I said, ‘Thank you!’”
Her only request to direk Mark was: “Basta direk, sana mabuti yung character kasi siempre hinuhubog mo yung public perception ng Deia. Of course, there’s Deia who’s really my child, and she has her own personality and characteristics that we will all see as she grows up.”
“But at this very moment na wala pa yun, and then you’re coming out with this show — Deia is not a common name for the Philippines, right — sana yung character na mamahalin kasi siempre ‘yun lang naman yung ginusto ko para sa anak ko,” she added.
In a separate interview, Diana, who originated the role of Danaya, the keeper of the Earth gem, said that Encantadia marked the start of a departure from her then-image as a “sexy star” and FHM cover girl.
She said that she first entered mainstream television via the gag show Bubble Gang and even then, she still had her sexy image. So when Encantadia was offered to her, she was surprised.
“Naisip ko, bakit ako inofferan ng Encantadia kasi ang mga kasama ko, wholesome,” she recalled with amusement.
“At first, ayaw ko dahil nga po ang layo sa ‘image’ ko but at the same time, gusto ko rin yun. Gusto ko rin mag-change ng image, at saka tataas din TF (talent fee) ko nun (laughs). Sabi ko kay Jo (talent manager, Jojo Gabinete), ‘Tatanggapin ba natin?’ Good thing, we accepted it.”
They were still in their early 20s and mainly newcomers in the industry at that time. But their fandom has since extended to this day, even when they’ve become wives and mothers.
Said Iza, “I’m so happy that the legacy continues. I’m talking about the show. But I’m also very happy that we’re very much supported by the ones who have been supporting us from way back. They’re that loyal. Sobrang nakakataba talaga ng puso. And I never anticipated, realized or expected that we would make it this far.”
This was apparent when Iza, together with Diana and other OG Sang’gres, Karylle and Sunshine Dizon, recently reunited on It’s Showtime — a surprise appearance that quickly trended. That they came together in an ABS-CBN-produced show speaks much about their reach.
It was also coincidental that Diana, who is now based in Australia with her family, recently flew home because she was chosen to be the Philippine ambassador for Signet Institute of Australia. Her homecoming became a lucky chance for all four to be seen together again. And it’s definitely not the last.
The production house, Sanggre Inc., that they’ve set up together, there are plans to reactivate it. There are also hopes for a “reunion” in Sang’gre, poised to be one of the most-anticipated TV productions next year. Diana teased, “Parang recently, yun ang naririnig namin, tapos… Basta ‘di ko pwede sabihin. Willing naman tayo mag-cameo siempre! Because it’s such a big factor in my showbiz life.”
During their separate interviews, Diana and Iza were both asked to weigh in on the next generation of Sang’gres — Angel Guardian, Bianca Umali, Faith Da Silva and Kelvin Miranda.
Iza has already met and bonded with Angel, the actress playing Deia because both of them starred in the same episode, Glitch, of the now-showing horror anthology Shake, Rattle, Roll Extreme.
Angel herself informed Iza, and it made her emotional having Iza’s full support and blessing.
“Sabi ko nga, may Deia be just as favorable to you and bring good luck to you,” she told Angel on the sidelines of the presscon for SRR Extreme.
“This is a new season of her career. Matagal na kasi artista si Angel. But iba ‘pag binigyan ka ng malaking papel, role. Ibang pressure ang kasama niyan. Iba ang oras mo, mas mapapagod ka because as a lead character, or a character na maraming mas ma-assign sayo na sequences, more demands basically. And I was telling her, you have to have a good head on your shoulders, because it can get overwhelming. So, just make sure you have people grounding you so that kakayanin mo ma-navigate this new season of her life,” Iza further said when asked for her advice to Angel.
“We all need a lot of support, when we are at this phase in our lives. Sometimes… marami kasi tayong artista na matagal na andyan and all they need is that opportunity, so God has blessed you with this opportunity, take care of it.”
As for Diana, her simple piece of advice to the cast members is to enjoy and appreciate the entire process.
“I-enjoy nila ang process na marami yung nag-a-adore (admire) dun sa characters kasi yun din siguro yung isa sa mga regret ko. Dahil habang ginagawa namin yun, first time kong nag-soap opera, hindi ko alam yung kalakaran, tapos medyo yung taping (almost) 24/7 pagod. Ang dami naming shows (in between), daming ginagawa.
“So, during that time, ‘di ko talaga na-enjoy yung whole process... Yung sinasabi nilang ‘fame,’ ‘di ko pa siya na-enjoy until tumagal. Kasi habang tumatagal hinahanap. Hanggang ngayon sa Australia, ‘pag may na-mi-meet ako na mga Filipino students, ‘Alam mo ba ginagaya ko si Danaya, ginagaya ko character mo dati.’ Kumbaga nadala ko dun. Dala-dala ko yung character (everywhere I go). So, sobrang laki ng impact hanggang ngayon,” she said.