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.

- By Nathalie Tomada

"Akala ko nung 2005, yun lang yun," she recalled during an interview with The STAR. "Hindi ko iniisip na magiging IP (intellectual property) siya na magwowork. 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 work as an IP. I felt that even if I retire in two years, maybe that's already my contribution to GMA.")

Nearly two decades later from the original series and nearly a decade after the 2016 retelling, the "Encantadia" universe is expanding again with the Kapuso primetime series "Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre," featuring the new-gen royal, warrior-blooded diwatas or sang'gres played by 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 is still there.