 |
| All hail the new Darna, Jane de Leon!! (Image Source: Philstar.com/ABS-CBN) |
On July 17, 2019, in the midst of strong rains brewing in most parts of
Luzon caused by the southwest monsoon strengthened by typhoon Franco, ABS-CBN
Films officially announced on social media that it has found its new Darna who will
soon set to conquer the big screens and inspire a new generation of Filipinos
and she is none other than STAR MAGIC talent Jane De Leon. As soon as the announcement
was made, Filipino netizens were quick to congratulate her and express their
anticipation on whether the new Darna will give justice to the iconic Filipina
superhero while De Leon's followers on social media have suddenly increased
like wildfire. It was without question a trubitastic impact that created a huge
spark in the Philippine pop culture scene.
Who is Jane De Leon, anyway, and why? Well, I can only share three things
about her when it comes to her showbiz career. First, she has been part of
several homegrown movies shown in local cinemas including Jose Javier Reyes'
Walwal. Second, those who have watched ABS-CBN's talked about primetime drama
series Halik may know Jane as Maggie Bartolome, the sister of Lino played by
Jericho Rosales. Finally, she was one of the initial members of It's Showtime's
all-girl group GirlTrends prior to its rebranding and transformation as GT. And
if you wonder why she was chosen as the new Darna, you have to agree with
ABS-CBN Films managing director Olivia Lamasan's explanation that she is considered
a perfect fit for the role.
More than 300 young and aspiring females from Star Hunt, STAR MAGIC,
open auditions nationwide, and various talent management agencies have
auditioned for the role of Narda and Darna which was first vacated by Angel
Locsin due to her spine column injury. This was surprisingly followed by Liza
Soberano who is currently recovering in the United States after a successful
operation on her injured finger she suffered during a taping for ABS-CBN's primetime
fantasy action drama Bagani. Darna's new director Jerrold Tarog praised ABS-CBN
Films on how the selection process was made and assured that it has made the
right choice. On the other hand, I would assume that the new Darna is still on
cloud nine when the announcement was made last June before the public reveal.
Not all netizens are happy and delighted with the announcement as there
are those who think that actress Nadine Lustre should be the one portraying the
role of Darna. Well, that's their problem and it is something that they can't
do about it. In an interview with CNN Philippines senior correspondent Pinky
Webb on The Source, Lustre appreciated the support and clamor for her fans regarding
the main role as the iconic Filipina superhero but stated that she never
auditioned for that role. Lustre's interview on The Source would arguably be a
big blow to fans who want her as Darna. Regardless of the reception, the
trubitastic impact of Jane De Leon will continue to shine brighter as she will
soon make her maiden flight as one of the Philippines' future action goddesses.
Good luck to Jane De Leon, the new Darna!!
