Glaiza de Castro refuses to be complacent

CEBU, Philippines - Glaiza de Castro’s casting as Pirena in the new “Encantadia” had elicited the strongest approval – from the director, to network bigwigs, and most importantly, from hardcore fans of the fantasy series.

The actress isn’t feeling smug about it though. Despite the all-around thumbs-up, she isn’t letting her guard down.

“It has been very heartwarming, but at the same time, I don’t want to be relaxed,” Glaiza, 28, says. “I don’t want to be complacent. I’m not like, ‘Ah, wala naman nagsasabing hindi bagay.’”

Fans had earmarked her early on for the fiery Pirena, while director Mark Reyes had said he had no other actress in mind for the role first played by Sunshine Dizon.

While this isn’t her first foray into grey characters – Pirena is kind at heart but outwardly cold – Glaiza hopes her take on the eldest and most interesting Sang’gre will not be just a repeat of her previous depictions.

“I’ve done bida-kontrabida characters before, and I don’t want my portrayal of Pirena to be compared to those roles. Until now, I am still studying her,” says Glaiza.

The keeper of the Fire Gem, Pirena is described as the smartest and most skillful of the four warrior-princess sisters. Impulsive, cunning and ambitious, she wishes to become the next queen of the diwatas. When their mother the Queen (Marian Rivera) bypasses Pirena over her sister Amihan (Kylie Padilla) as heir to the throne, she revolts and sides with her kin’s greatest enemy. Gifted with the power to create and control fire, Pirena can also fly like a rocket launched into the air. She can likewise shapeshift and take the form of any human she wishes, aside from being adept with her twin daggers.

It’s a fascinating role to dig into, albeit a tricky one to pull off. But Glaiza has welcomed the task with complete optimism. “There’s always pressure with all the roles that I play. But we try to convert it into a challenge,” says Glaiza.

“We had not begun taping yet, but every time pumupunta kami sa costume fitting, we felt very drained. But then we realized, ‘This is a blessing that we have to embrace.’ So far, the pressure we were feeling, we were able to transform it into a challenge. Makikita mo, sila Sanya [Lopez], Kylie and Gabbi [Garcia], if they’re not satisfied with their take, ‘Hindi, ulitin natin.’”

“We are challenged to be better actresses,” she notes.

Born to musician parents and the niece of GMA-7 News pillar Mike Enriquez, Glaiza first dipped into the showbiz fray in 2001 as a bit player in movies. Her early years spent labelled as that Angel Locsin look-alike, Glaiza’s glam-rock persona and her convincing turns as a villainess allowed her to eventually move out of that shadow.

Glaiza is also  a singer-songwriter whose rock-influenced sound was given merit with a Female Rock Artist of the Year trophy from the

PMPC Star Awards for Music. She has recorded three albums, the last one titled “Synthesis” which she promoted via a concert tour with stops in Singapore, Japan and Canada.

Just last week, she opened a performance studio and a siomai stand in her hometown of Valenzuela City.

Her businesses and her music would have to take a lower spot in Glaiza’s priority list for the next months though, as she fully immerses in the biggest break of her career.

One thing that will take up more her time is ensuring she’s in warrior form.

Glaiza had admitted she was one of those who hated going to the gym as she found it boring. She used to mock gym rats and those who flaunt their bodies on their social media accounts.

“Now I understand why they love showing off their abs – kasi pinaghihirapan pala talaga nila iyon. Of course, the role demands that I be physically fit and naaaliw naman ako sa proseso kasi para talaga kaming warriors. Dinadaan kami sa pagsasanay.”

Once Glaiza learned of the “Encantadia” auditions, she sought the help of a fitness trainer and has not let up since. “This is the first time that I underwent drastic preparations for a role. Before, my preparations were more internal. This was more on physical,” Glaiza shares. “We’re warriors, so we have to be fit.”

Apart from the epic battle scenes, one must-watch in “Encantadia” according to Direk Mark, is the meeting of Pirena and Sunshine’s new character. “That’s something to look forward to,” Direk Mark says.

The only Sang’gre with the original actress on set, does Glaiza feel intimidated by Sunshine’s presence? “She tries not to let me feel that I should be intimidated by her presence,“ she reveals.

“One instance she told me, ‘Uy parehas pala tayong maiksi ang buhok nuong nag-Pirena tayo.’ Marami siyang kuwento of her Encantadia days. So mas nagiging relaxed ako. Marami pa yung pagsasamahan namin, hindi ko pa siya nakaka-eksena, so I’m still waiting for the right timing. I know there will be a time na makakausap ko siya about her character, what she went through, and how she attacked Pirena.”

Glaiza, who watched the original “Encantadia” only until the 10th episode on IFlix, says she feels duty-bound to pour her heart and soul to the show, the same way the original Sang’gres did. 

“The few episodes I saw, nasabi ko sa sarili ko, ‘Naku, dapat talaga namin pagbutihan’ kasi yung binigay ng mga actors noon, talagang galing sa puso.”

“Encantadia” will premiere tonight on GMA-7 Primetime. (FREEMAN)