Encantadia

Encantadia is a magical fantasy show that leaves the audience left gob-smacked in terms of looking at those well-famed stars when I was a kid. These four Sang'gres from my childhood are proven worthy to be warriors. Played by Diana Zubiri, Karylle, Izabel Calzado, and Sunshine Dizon, the warriors carried their magic of four elements of Earth, Water, Fire, and Air, even Aether, a fifth element that's also discovered in the next installment. They are now reunited when it comes to a spectacular performance in "It's Showtime!" and they are fantastic. The television show on the other hand, however, some effects are not to be disgraced for many other creatures, except for a small animatronic character that struggles to move to make the warriors and the others interact with, even for the design upgrades. The visual effects were truly satisfying but it needs some perceptual work, and the CGI dragons are not well-animated good. But the stories are very powerful to an enormous battle to extent in later episodes. Four celebrities playing warriors now became moms, but I recently didn't realize, the audience wishes that they'll be prepared for the future.

Overall, Encantadia is a one of those well-loved Philippine television fantasy drama series, in which that I prefer there are no disguises to assert with. But let's be clear that I am not able to imagine I could warp into a television episode that makes me featured as an extra for helping these warriors by frustrating, the Sang'gres are the best at fighting the enemies, and it's not just forbidding their task to strike a beam, but it's also loveable to combine the elements into. By the way, I hope I see those Pinoy celebrities in real life again in the future, but Karylle will become a mom real soon.

Hell no!

Yes, they have admitted that they have LOTR to thank for; because without the said film, they wouldn't know how to create a show in epic proportions.

Yes, this show is the most top-rated show on Philippine Television today. One of the reasons is that they have learned how to create lavish costumes, dreamy settings, and out of this world animatronic characters.

But this doesn't mean they copied LOTR! I mean, the story itself is different! LOTR's story involves a nobody carrying the world over his shoulders and ends up saving it in the end. While in Encantadia, it is partly the story of four sisters torn apart by one of the sister's greed; and partly the story of a young fairy princess brought to the mortal realm where she suffers tremendously. The story of Encantadia merely tells what is happening in our country right now. Not that our country is rich, in contrast, it clearly states how difficult it is to live in this country (or the world for that matter). I know it may seem a bit gloomy, but that's the reality. Life is difficult. But living life, is a job. Especially, if you have no one. All you can do is work hard, and hope for a better tomorrow. This is what Encantadia wants to show us: "perseverance is the key to survival".

Yes, i admit that an epic quest has yet to be shown. But there is more to a story than an epic scene! What matters more in a story is the HEART a writer puts in it. Like with LOTR, Tolkien gave his heart out in his novel. Likewise with the writers of Encantadia. Unlike in LOTR where the hero needs to travel away from his homeland in order to create a story, Encantadia has its story right there its lands, that's why there is no need to travel to distant places!

According to one opinion, Encantadia lacks the mythology that LOTR had. But why would Encantadia need a mythology, when Encantadia itself is the beginning of the mythology?! Unlike LOTR, Encantadia doesn't need a mythology to stand up on it's own. It has itself to stand up on.

And regarding its viewers being unintelligent. Well, i beg to differ! We may not know what 'The Silmarillion' is. But hey, do you know the world of Encantadia? As what my teacher said, a true genius knows that he knows everything and nothing at the same time. Don't call yourself intelligent when you're not! Encantadia is pure Filipino excellence, that's why Filipinos like me love them. Unlike you.

Encantadia is the only local TV show that got me hooked! Since it's airing -- the show earned good reviews. This is the only show i know (as reported by agb and other independent stat agencies) that got the ab and c crowd (the elite and educated pinoy crowd)interested (before enca.. they do NOT watch tagalog movies or TV). No wonder Encantadia is NOW the number show in the Phil! It's understandable. Enca has a good storyline or premise (Not a ripped of LOTR, mind you. jeesh-- where'd u get that?). Great characters(tough, highly principled women/sang'gre's, they show greatlove for their kingdom). It's fast paced storytelling and plot twist are very very unpredictable. Though it's fx needs improvement but who cares?

We watch encantadia because it brings out the child in us (the sense of magic and wonderment)-- and THAT's what FANTASY is all about!

My FINAL thoughts about this series....

First, I'm not a big "Telefantasya" but I give the writers, directors, actors, and the entire staff for bringing this in Philippine TV. I don't expect this show to be original in terms of concept co'z the fact the matter is every single tale or story can inevitably crosses path in terms of similarities and coincidence. Encantadia is not great but not bad. The main goal of the producers are to entertain the majority. We all know how bad the situation in the Philippines right now, politically and economically. Obviously it's about ratings and exploiting (I mean in a good way) their actors to fame.

Second, Encantadia revolves around the four elements and the four Sangres. Their battle against the forces of evil. It sounds typical and yeah...predictable but at the end day what do you expect from Telefantasya stories...nothing. The actors and their chemistry are tolerable. Though, Sunshine Dizon is the one for me that really stands out the most. I like this show because this time the women are kicking as*. It's not the same old, traditional premise, like men saving the world.

Third, the ending was little dry. They could have done better with the battle scenes but I guess it was reasonable in a sense of anticipation of Encantadia's prequel Etheria.

Fourth, I appreciate GMA7 (TV network produces this series) for everything. They stick with their homegrown writers, um, giving them jobs, trusting them, rather not depending on foreign concepts just to produce innovative television.

And lastly, the theme song is pretty good.

Encantadia is one of the best telefantasyas that I have seen my entire life!!! It is very unique from other Filipino fantasy films like Darna or Panday and kampanerang kuba!!!!!!!!!!!1 The story is very unpredictable and is very very interesting!!! It really go me hooked up and made me want to watch in night after night and made me hate weekends! All the time, i will think of it even in my dreams i see it... It is addicting!!! Unlike Panday and Kampanerang kuba from ABSCBN, though it is very unrealistic, people like me can connect to the story. Well, most of the time it makes me want to be an encantada and live in another world. It really rocks...