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.

I have heard in an interview somewhere that the production people of GMA's new fantasy soap opera 'Encantadia' admittedly watched the special features on the DVD release of the recent Blockbuster movie 'The Lord of the Rings' in order to get a grasp on how to create a full production in a high-fantasy setting.

Of course, their 'research' does not go unnoticed: 'Encantadia' is now the most watched show on Philippine TV. The people behind the show seemed to have caught the spirit of the movie it copied: colorful costumes, CGI settings, even the lovable animatronic characters were caught to a sharp T. There's only one problem though: Hello??? Universal storyline that applies to all humankind? Where are you? The producers caught everything from LOTR except the one thing that made it all special to millions worldwide: The solid themes of fellowship, perseverance, and corruption that leads to imminent danger.

Let me deliver a comparison: in LOTR, a simple, almost nobody-homebody proves that even the smallest person can change the course of the future as he goes through the toughest obstacles in his life to save the world.

in Encantadia: a royal family struggles to keep their power amidst the threats of destabilization from other groups. The story does have attempts at the usual 'universal storyline' themes (fairy princess/infant stolen and forced to live poor life, mortal falls in love with immortal, etc), but these petty events don't add up to the big picture. Wait a minute... What is the big picture anyway?? No epic quest, no test of friendship, no test of resolve or integrity, no character exploration; Just a series of soap operatic events. I guess in the end all we have to expect is that the hero royal family wins.

Storyline aside, the show works well anyway. The costumes and masks seemed believable enough. How about the mythology? What makes stories such as this is how this 'alternate world' came to be. Again, Tolkien turns over in his grave: the world of 'Encantadia' seemed to have popped out of nowhere. Unlike LOTR which originated from the creation story 'Ainulindale' from the unforgettable epic book 'The Silmarillion', 'Encantadia' does not provide a mythology which makes the story (like 'Mulawin' before it) unbelievable and a tad uninteresting.

Cheers to the network for creating a top-rater, and jeers to the shortcomings intelligent viewers cannot overlook.

By the way: who ever said intelligent viewers were the market of 'Encantadia'?

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!

Rewatching both shows, there's just something about the 2005 version that cements "Encantadia" as an iconic series to this day. While its special effects may not be as polished as the 2016 version, the storytelling and intensity of the original kept audiences hooked from start to finish, so much that it sparked curiosity about its sequels and prequels, like Etheria and Pag-Ibig Hanggang Wakas.

Suzette Doctolero did an incredible job crafting both versions, making them equally remarkable yet distinct. However, as a fan of the 2005 version, it's hard not to compare their legacies, especially when it comes to performances. Sunshine Dizon's portrayal of Pirena was so powerful that it earned her a Best Actress award in America, while Iza Calzado's role in the series helped propel her career, along with Karylle. Meanwhile, Diana Zubiri's portrayal of Danaya as a strong, fearless warrior suited her perfectly and considering she was primarily known for sexy roles before this series. Encantadia proved that she had the talent and presence to be a true star. Jennylyn Mercado's portrayal of Lira/Mila was more memorable than Quintos' version, with her adorable comedic timing and her charming strong chemistry with Mark Herras.

The 2005 version premiered at a time when female characters were often relegated to damsel-in-distress roles and inlove with the idea of love. There was no Xena: Warrior Princess-type figure to embody true "girl power" in Philippine television. But when Encantadia came out, it redefined how women were portrayed in the industry, strong, independent, and capable of holding their own in battle.

Even today, the 2005 version continues to resonate with new generations of fans, especially children. Personally, I find its storyline even better. And for those who were devastated by the deaths of the original characters in the remake, you'll enjoy seeing the four Sang'gres kick ass together until the very end of the 2005 version and other sequels.

Overview: "Encantadia" is a groundbreaking Filipino fantasy television series that first aired in 2005. Created by Suzette Doctolero and directed by Mark A. Reyes and Gil Tejada Jr., the series is the first installment in the "Encantadia" franchise. It tells the story of four sisters - Pirena, Amihan, Alena, and Danaya - who are guardians of the elemental gems that keep the magical world of Encantadia in balance.

Strengths:

1. World-Building and Lore One of the most notable aspects of "Encantadia" is its ambitious and richly detailed fantasy world. The show introduces its own mythology, language (the constructed language "Enchanta"), and geography, which was rare and innovative for Philippine television at the time. The attention to detail in creating the realms of Lireo, Hathoria, Sapiro, and Adamya impressed viewers and created a solid fanbase.

2. Costumes and Production Design For a local production in 2005, the show's costume and set design were commendable. Although there were limitations due to budget, the visual presentation - from royal armors to mystical landscapes - showed creativity and passion. Many praised the elaborate costumes worn by the diwatas and the Hathors.

3. Story and Themes The series combined elements of family drama, betrayal, love, and war, all set within a fantasy framework. The dynamic between the sisters - especially Pirena's jealousy and Amihan's sense of duty - added emotional weight. Themes of sacrifice, loyalty, and power resonated with many Filipino viewers.

4. Strong Female Leads "Encantadia" stood out for its focus on strong, complex female characters. The four Sang'gres each represented different values and personalities, with actresses Iza Calzado (Amihan), Sunshine Dizon (Pirena), Karylle (Alena), and Diana Zubiri (Danaya) delivering notable performances that became iconic in Philippine TV history.

Weaknesses:

1. Visual Effects (By Modern Standards) While impressive for its time, the CGI and visual effects are dated by today's standards. Some of the fight scenes and magical elements can appear clunky or overly ambitious, given the technology and budget constraints in 2005.

2. Pacing and Length As with many teleseryes, some parts of the series suffered from slow pacing and filler episodes. Certain story arcs could have been tighter to maintain momentum throughout the show.

3. Supporting Cast and Dialogue While the leads were strong, some of the supporting characters were less developed, and certain dialogue sequences occasionally bordered on melodrama - a common feature in local dramas of that era.

Legacy and Cultural Impact:

"Encantadia" is widely regarded as a landmark in Philippine fantasy television. It sparked a renewed interest in the fantaserye genre and led to several spin-offs and reboots, including a 2016 reboot that introduced the series to a new generation. It also helped raise the bar for local productions in terms of ambition and creativity.

Final Verdict:

Rating: 9/10

"Encantadia" (2005) is a pioneering fantasy epic that captivated Filipino audiences with its rich lore, memorable characters, and imaginative world. Despite technical limitations, its emotional core and strong storytelling helped it become a cult classic and a defining work in Philippine television history.