Vilma Santos cheers on Jane de Leon as new Darna

Jane de Leon and Vilma Santos. Image: screengrab from YouTube/ABS-CBN Entertainment

Vilma Santos has given her stamp of approval to Jane de Leon’s version of the iconic superhero Darna, and cheered on the actress for the upcoming “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series.”

The Star for All Seasons has given her blessing to De Leon during the grand media conference of the TV series, as shown on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel yesterday, Aug. 8.

“Si Darna ay isang local heroine na [nilikha] ni Mars Ravelo. Babaeng matapang at handang ipagtanggol ang sinumang nangangailangan. I’m lucky enough na makagawa ng apat na ‘Darna’ [films],” Santos said.

(Darna is a local heroine created by Mars Ravelo. A woman who is brave and ready to defend those who are in need. I am lucky enough to have done four “Darna” films.”)

For Santos, Darna is a “relevant” figure who gives inspiration and pushes people to believe that “everybody can be Darna,” as long as they are “willing to help people.”

“Maraming nag-aasam na maging Darna. Icon na ‘yung character. Malaking malaking karangalan ‘yan para sa isang artista na tulad ko na makaganap bilang isang Darna,” she told De Leon. “At ngayon Jane na ikaw ang napiling Darna, bigyan mo sila ng inspirasyon na meron pa ring pagmamahal, meron pa ring tiwala at meron pa ring pag-asa.”

(Many aspire to become Darna. The character is already an icon. It is a great honor for an actress like me to portray Darna. Now that you have been chosen as Darna, Jane, give [the public] inspiration that there is still love, trust and hope.)

Santos then referenced Darna’s magical stone as she expressed support for De Leon and wished her good luck in playing the character.

“Ang daming humawak ng batong ‘yan. Ngayon, Jane, na sa ‘yo ang bato. Pangalagaan mo iyang mabuti. Maging ehemplo ka ng henerasyon ngayon,” she added. (Many have held that stone. Now, Jane, you have the stone. Take care of it. Be an example to the new generation.”

For her part, De Leon vowed to do her best in portraying Darna and thanked those who have been supportive of her.

Santos is among the actresses who played Darna prior to De Leon. She took on the role for the films “Lipad, Darna, Lipad,” “Darna and the Giants,” “Darna vs the Planet Women” and “Darna at Ding.”

Now helmed by Chito Roño and Avel Sunpongco, “Mars Ravelo’s Darna: The TV Series” follows the journey of Narda (De Leon) and her reluctance to fulfill her destiny as the superhero Darna.

The show started taping in November 2021 and is set to premiere on Aug. 15.  /ra

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