We're Still Not Over the Red Carpet of Darna The TV Series

Just a few more sleeps—Darna is finally taking flight. After a few years of delays, cast changes, the move from the silver screen to TV, this generation's Darna—embodied by bright young actress Jane de Leon—is about to hit our television screens, bringing with her a rich history and legacy of Filipina empowerment, fighting for what's right, and choosing to good above all else.

Yesterday, the stars and directors of the highly-anticipated television series graced the red carpet at Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN for its grand media presscon. Present were leads Jane; Janella Salvador, who will be portraying the iconic Valentina and her alter-ego Regina Vanguardia; master director Chito S. Roño and directors Avel Sunpongco and Benedict Mique; and the rest of the supporting cast including former Darna Rio Locsin, Richard Quan, Simon Ibarra, Jeffrey Santos, Paolo Gumabao, Eric Fructuoso, Zeppi Borromeo, Young JV, Marvin Yap, Yogo Singh, Joj Agpangan, Dawn Chang, and Viveika Ravanes.

Other leads Zaijan Jaranilla and Joshua Garcia joined the press conference via Zoom, while Iza Calzado sent in a message of support for her cast. 

Before the press conference began, a special message from another Darna, and the very first Darna of film—Vilma Santos herself—greeted Jane. "Yung pagiging Darna, relevant 'yan, lalo na ngayon na napupuno tayo ng challenges sa buhay. Ang karakter niya ay nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa mga tao," she said. "Jane, nasa iyo na ang bato! Pangalaan mo yang mabuti. Maging ehemplo ka ng henerasyon ngayon."

The Star for All Seasons gave words of encouragement for the young actress to whom the huge responsibility of being Darna was given, and when asked for a reaction, Jane says, "Ang aga pa," laughing. 

The rest of the cast of also talked about who their Darnas were, from Rio Locsin, Nanette Medved, Anjanette Abayari, and Sharon Cuneta, to Angel Locsin and Marian Rivera, while Jane, Janella, Joshua and Zaijan talked about working with master director Chito S. Roño. The master director himself also had good things to say about Jane. "I think she did very well," the director said of Jane when asked about how she did in her roles as Narda/Darna. 

Watch the full press conference below:

Mars Ravelo’s Darna is set to premiere on Monday, August 15, 8 pm on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Jeepney TV, and TV5. We'll see you there!