After weeks of hype and promotion -- including a two hour primer aired over Sunday Night Box Office -- the magical world of Encantadia opens it's secretive gates tonight.
The cast and crew have worked long hours to bring this first-rate fantasy series that many have been looking forward to.
Karylle, who plays the fairy princess Alena, was recently quoted as saying that the entire cast has worked extra hard to make sure that fans get the most out of the show. Round-the-clock taping at various locations and extra hours spent giving the media sound bites have all led to tonight's premier episode.
The production is a team effort. It isn't just the actors that have been slaving away. No detail was left to chance. Everything from the complex throne room set to the smallest bead on each costume was meticulously looked after.
Iza Calzado, backstage for a promotional pictorial, confided that "of the three major costumes that I wear, my favorite is this really simple white sleeping dress. It makes me feel very light and beautiful." She went on to talk about how much fun it was to be working for a show that would definitely bring something new to local television.
Her on-screen sister Sunshine Dizon, who plays the fiery tempered Pirena, added that even the long hours on the set are worth it because the cast works so well together that it sometimes doesnt feel like work.
True enough, while she waited her turn at the expert hands of the tema's make-up and hair stylists, Sunshine happily chatted with co-stars Iza, Pinky Amador and Nancy Castiglione about bikini waxes (none of the younger girls have ever tried it), hair care products (Pinky gave them advice on how to treat damaged hair) and the latest movies showing in theaters (Nancy had some spare time and wanted to catch a movie after the pictorial). And to add a manly touch to his girlie gabfest was Jon Regala, loudly telling funny stories in his booming voice.
It is this kind of off-camera bonding that helps the cast work hard into the night - donning their sometimes intricate costumes and even more complicated make-up to become the fairies and warriors and other magical folk that will be gracing your screens tonight.
So don't forget to tune in to Encantadia later today and be drawn into a world of mystery and beauty.
