Etheria: Ang ikalimang kaharian ng Encantadia

Etheria is the second installment of the Encantadia saga. A sequel to Encantadia, the second book of the TV series saga revolves on the four Sang'gres going back to the past, to the time where Etheria (a lost kingdom) was in its full glory to save Cassandra, the last Sang'gre in the bloodline who was brought to the past and is said to be the key for Etheria to be powerful again.

Etheria was equally glamorous and ambitious as Encantadia. With a stellar cast, a very good plot and its magical elements. However, it has failed to meet expectations ratings-wise. Encantadia was a top-rater in its course. Initially, Etheria on its first episodes was able to maintain the lead. Its ratings however dramatically decreased and has failed to consistently top in its time slot. Etheria wasn't able to maintain the ratings of Encantadia because of the complicated story lines since it involved time travel and that fans are expecting it to be a "pure" prequel. Furthermore, there are too many characters introduced which added confusion to the audience.

Etheria was very much like a prequel because more questions raised on book 1 were answered, doubts were cleared and shocking revelations to the delight of the viewers. The history of Encantadia was the highlight of the second book. But technically, this is a sequel to the series.

As I near the end of Encantadia (2005), I've come to appreciate just how influential it was, spawning two successful sequels that built upon its massive legacy. (Let's be real, if you grew up in the Philippines and don't know who the Sang'gres are, are you even a human?) That's how huge this series was back then! Even now, it remains one of the most quotable and widely parodied shows.

Watching the sequel left me in awe, particularly because of Suzette Doctolero's masterful writing. The way she seamlessly wove the story without any inconsistencies or unresolved threads from the original Encantadia was a brilliant move. You can't deny her talent-honestly, she should have her own books and write more Encantadia stories!

Etheria serves as both a prequel and sequel to the original. Sure, it once again delves into the Sang'gres' unbreakable bond as they face a rising darkness only they can defeat. But unlike the 2005 version, which focused heavily on Pirena's struggle for the Lirean crown, this one fully embraces the power of sisterhood!

The performances are exceptional, the cinematography is stunning, and if you're a teacher looking for a series to introduce your students to mythology, history, and balarila (deeper Filipino language), this is a must-watch! But of course you should watch the first Enca before watching Etheria and the other final sequel.