Encantadia (2016 TV series)
Encantadia is a Philippine television drama fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a 2005 Philippine television series of the same title. It served as a reboot and the fourth television series in the Encantadia franchise. Directed by Mark A. Reyes, it stars Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez and Glaiza de Castro. It premiered on July 18, 2016 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing "Poor Señorita". The series concluded on May 19, 2017 with a total of 218 episodes. It was replaced by "Mulawin vs. Ravena" in its timeslot . The series including a director's cut of the finale is streaming online on YouTube. Premise. Four sisters – Pirena, Amihan, Alena and Danaya — guard the gems that hold the power to maintain peace and harmony in the world of Encantadia. Their bond is broken when Pirena discovers that their mother, is afraid of her desire to become the queen of Encantadia. Production. On November 5, 2015, Felipe Gozon, the chairman and CEO of GMA Network announced that the remake of the 2005 Philippine television series "Encantadia" is part of the network's program line-up for 2016. On January 6 , 2016, director Mark A. Reyes said that he would return as the director of the series. Suzette Doctolero, who created "Encantadia" remained as concept creator and head writer for the series. It was Doctolero's first head writing project with the network in 2005, and also served as her training for writing a fantasy story. The series was announced during Marian Rivera's renewal of contract with GMA Network on February 16, 2016, in which she was announced for the role of Mine-a. The following day, it was announced by director Mark Reyes in that the series was on  pre-production. The first teaser of Encantadia premiered on February 14, 2016 featuring a snippet of the gems and the theme song. The first trailer was released June 11, 2016. On September 15, 2016, the director stated that the retelling concluded after 43 episodes, and the 45th will be the start of the 2005's sequel, stating that "The retelling ends. And the sequel begins". He further added that it was not about 2005 version anymore, and new storyline will emerge on the series. Casting. Marian Rivera plays the role of Mine-a. While Dingdong Dantes, who played Ybarro in  the original series plays the role of Raquim. Klea Pineda and Migo Adecer also joined the cast as part of their prize after winning "StarStruck". On April 4, 2016, it was announced on "24 Oras" that Kylie Padilla, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez and Glaiza de Castro were hired for the lead roles. According to Doctolero, de Castro is the only choice for the role she auditioned for. According to her, she watched and studied trainings from famous martial arts artists to get ready for the role. Other cast members including their roles also appeared after the announcement . Sunshine Dizon, who  played Pirena in the original series, revealed on May 6, 2016 that she takes part on the retelling-sequel of the 2016 series with a big but different character role, as Adhara. Meanwhile, Diana Zubiri who previously played Danaya is also cast as LilaSari. A week before the show, Australian actor Conan Stevens, best known for his role on the American fantasy television series "Game of Thrones", confirmed that he would join the cast in an unspecified role, which later on revealed as Vish'ka. As the series progress, few special roles emerged; the first is Miguel Tanfelix who plays Pagaspas , a Mulawin with a mission to help the "diwatas" of Lireo. He played the same role 12 years ago on the series of the same name. The next would be Alden Richards, who will also play a Mulawin whose appearance has not yet been televised. In an interview with Manila Times, Richards said, "...11 years ago. I remember I watched the show with my family and I was so mesmerized with all the special effects. [...]When I learned that GMA was doing a ‘requel’ of Encantadia, I was really wishing to be a part of the show. That’s why  when they told me that I have a role in the series, I was so happy...". Costume design. Encantadia's costume designer is Francis Libiran, a world-renowned and critically acclaimed designer in the Philippines who did an extensive research to come up with the designs. According to Libiran, his team brainstormed together with Encantadia's production team and watched old clips of Encantadia in YouTube to conceptualized the character's fashion sense. The gowns of the sang'gres and Ynang Reyna is more edgy and fashionable compared to the ruggedness/cocky-themed costumes in 2005. Each gown depicts the powers  and personalities of each sang'gre while showing one thing that they have in common- "Royal". The colors of their gowns match the colors of the gems that the Sang’gres are guarding. Just like in the original series, they wore elegant gowns when they were not in a battle. He further stated, "A normal gown usually takes us two months to create but since we had to consider the time, we assigned a dedicated team of craftsmen to produce the outfits in just 15 days." According to the cast, they went on a strict diet and fitness trainings to secure their  shape suited for their exquisite gowns. The cast first appeared in costumes during "ToyCon 2016 Poplife Fan Xperience" at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay on June 10, 2016. Reception. Critical response. According to a review by CNN Philippines, "Encantadia" lived up to its long-gestating hype. The introduction and the narration was a big step-up for the show compared to the first one. It further stated that the new iteration looks better than the original and paces itself well in terms of narrative and plot. CNN was also impressed with the fight scenes giving impressions that are being done  on a grander scale. They also stated that the scenes have depth and CG backgrounds are rendered beautifully and looks a lot slicker and a whole lot darker, looking like something from the PC version of which they expressed as a huge improvement after over a decade. Anthea Reyes of WheninManila.com was also impressed of the series stating: "...all of our childish fantasies have returned to primetime television and it’s come back bigger, better, and infinitely more awesome..." She also stated that "the writing team is using this opportunity to the fullest to solidify the myth, the plot holes , and the motivations of everything. The writers of the show were able to place meaning in an aesthetic choice made from way before and further enrich the story." She also noted that the details of characters costume, to the clarified presence of the nomadic soldiers post Sappiro-Hathoria war, up until the background music used per every shot were all world class. FHM Philippines also made a review of the show and states that the creators of the show made an effort to make a living and breathing world and they succeeded. They also imposed that even though it was  heavily inspired by Hollywood fantasy movies, it has the FIlipino flavor adding its own twist. They also pointed out that one of the shows strengths is that it has its own unique story. FHM further stated that: "...Like the original that came 11 years before it, Encantadia gives audiences something new to watch when it comes to primetime programming. Finally, something to cleanse our palate from all the drama and romantic programs that we've grown accustomed to." A review by "Philippine Entertainment Portal" stated that the show’s director of photography and cameramen were impressive for utilizing different creative  camera angles and techniques as it contributed to the intensity and excitement in the scene. They also gave positive feedback to its musical scoring stating that "...One of the factors that contributed to Encantadia 2005’s success is its musical scoring, in fact, it was even commended in the Asian Television Awards for Best Original Music Score. This requel did not disappoint when it comes to this aspect. The musical scorer seemed to compose different pieces suited to each kingdom since each had its own theme[...]the modernized, upbeat version of "Tadhana" also intensified the fight scenes." Because of the  good ratings and the success of the show, "Encantadia" is slated or expected to have another season. This was hinted on few scenes in its finale showing Cassiopea's twin, who lives in the ice kingdom in the far northern part of Encantadia, seems to pose a threat to diwatas. This was attested further by an Instagram post of Director Mark Reyes that the finale episode is his "official statement". Ratings. According to AGB Nielsen Philippines' Mega Manila household television ratings, the pilot episode of "Encantadia" earned a 26.1% rating. While the final episode scored a 13.8% rating in Nationwide  Urban Television Audience Measurement people in television homes.