Iza Calzado plays ‘first Darna’ in upcoming TV series – The Manila Times
Iza Calzado finally gets the chance to play the iconic heroine Darna as the award-winning actress was chosen to pass the magic white stone to Jane de Leon, the actress who will play the lead role in the upcoming “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series.”
Iza was first offered the role of Darna when she was still in GMA Network but it didn’t push through. The role was eventually given to Angel Locsin in 2005.
The actress said she may have lost her chance to play Darna before but God has other plans that’s why she is now excited to step into the role and wear the iconic costume of the beloved komiks superhero.
ABS-CBN will start work on “Darna: The TV Series” sometime next month. They are just waiting for Jane de Leon to wrap up her work in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.”
Iza said it is exciting to play a hero, especially in these challenging times.
The role of Darna was also offered to Liza Soberano and Angel Locsin who both had to back out because of health reasons.
Iza is looking forward to finally shooting Darna as she had been preparing for it via undergoing training sessions.
Since fitness has been part of Iza’s lifestyle, doing the training sessions is not much of a problem.
She describes the role as pretty taxing and she recognizes that she needs to be prepared physically, mentally and emotionally for the role.
Iza is thankful that the project is finally pushing through.
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While ABS-CBN still doesn’t have a franchise, it has not the stopped the network from continuing to provide entertainment content to its loyal viewers in whatever platform.
One of these platforms is the Kumu application where they launched ABS-CBN Star Hunt’s “Bida Star Boy Next Door,” where newcomer Red Mendoza (being managed by R Multimedia Entertainment Production of Roi Diego) made it as one of the eight finalists.
This is a talent search for a new leading man and according to Red, four winners will be chosen by September.
From all those who sent audition videos, 50 aspirants made it after the first screening. This was later trimmed down to Top 20 and then the top 8.
Red was among the lucky ones who made it as one of the finalists.
“I’ve always dreamed to become an artista,” said Red in a recent zoom interview. He was in 6th grade when Red felt the desire to be an actor. But when he went to high school and college, he sort of put his dream on hold.
“Some of my friends before were kidding me that I am not that good-looking so why should I become an actor. They said I have a dark skin and most actors are fair-skinned. I was kind of discouraged but I know, deep in heart, that I still want to pursue this dream of mine.”
Not wanting to junk his dream to enter showbiz, Red took acting workshops under Star Magic of ABS-CBN where he had a chance to be handled by Rahyan Carlos. He also got a few offers to appear as an extra in some TV shows.
One of his biggest breaks was doing a supporting role to Bidaman Miko Gallardo in the BL series titled “My Day The Series” where he played a gay role.
“I auditioned for the role of a guy but I was not accepted. Then the production offered a gay role. At first, I was kind of hesitant to do but I thought that doing a gay role is a big challenge for me as an actor. I was having a hard time portraying my role. But I know I have to give justice to it.”
“My Day: The Series” ran for 12 episodes in the You Tube channel of OXIN Films and after that Red got a small role in “A Soldier’s Heart.”
Red considers it a blessing in disguise being chosen as one of the finalists of Kumu’s “Bida Star Boy Next Door.” He was also kind of reluctant to send an audition video to the contest which started last June.
The aspirants are asked to act one scenes from the movies of Kapamilya stars like Piolo Pascual, Daniel Padilla and Joshua Garcia aside from other tasks the contest gives them.
If and when he makes it as a winner, Red hopes to make this as a stepping stone to showcase his acting talent. But he also plans to put up his own business as well to prepare for his future.