Narda Custodio

Narda is the first born of Leonor (Zora), a prime warrior from Planet Marte and Danilo Custodio. At a young age, she was already trained by Leonor to become her successor. Despite doubts of her responsibility, she eventually accepted her fate as the protector of the mythical stone, 4 years after her mother's death.[5]

After getting fired as a clerk at a convenience store, Narda had a hard time finding a job to support her family. Eventually, she landed a job as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) owned by Regina Vanguardia.[6] At the same time, she fulfills her role as Darna, facing threats from extraterrestrial beings and taking accountability of the people affected by the green fragments from the Cyborg that her mother once fought. These people with special abilities are called "Extras".[7]

Superman and Captain Marvel (Shazam) are among Mars Ravelo's inspiration in creating Darna.

On May 13, 1950, the renowned Mars Ravelo and the brilliant Nestor Redondo released Darna for the first time (who would later illustrate for DC and Marvel Comics). Darna's debut appeared in "Pilipino Komiks" No. 77, a key installment of the top-selling comic book publication published by Ace Publications at the time.[2] Ravelo was repeatedly rejected by publishing companies from the Philippines and the United States throughout the '40s due to the belief that female superheroes don't sell, even though in reality, Ravelo already had the idea for Darna before World War II; the original name for the heroine was "Varga."[8]

Superman served as the initial inspiration for Varga. Ravelo was inspired to develop Superman's female opposite for a historically feminized nation by his adoration of Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster's Superman from Action Comics.[9] For the original approach that Narda cries out a magical word and transforms into an adult hero, Ravelo also looked to Captain Marvel for inspiration.[10]

Jane de Leon revealed that she almost declined to audition for the iconic role, and that her manager had to convince her to do it. There were several callbacks, each separated by months. She was so frustrated with the waiting that she almost gave up.[11] They were then immediately given a three-page script. She was compelled to go to a formal showbiz event that was attended by prominent celebs. She was seated at a table with the ABS-CBN executives, which made her surprise.[12] She was invited to a meeting with the Kapamilya executives led by ABS-CBN managing director Olivia Lamasan and the network's CEO and president Carlo Katigbak, a few days later and confirmed that she was chosen to revive the titular role.[13]

It was revealed that Jane de Leon stood out among the other 200 actresses that auditioned for the role.[14] A list of potential ladies suited for the role was shortened to 7, according to director Jerrold Tarog.[12] Some of the confirmed actresses who auditioned for the role includes: Maris Racal,[15] Julia Barretto,[16] Ana Luna and reportedly Bianca Umali.[17]

Filipino comics artist and illustrator Nestor Redondo originally conceptualised a distinct appearance for the superheroine: red bandeau with a gold star on each cap, red helmet with ruby encrusted gold winged accent, gold arm bracred shorts with elets, golden medallion belt with a loincloth at the center and red boots.[19]

In ABS-CBN's reimagined take on the iconic costume, three common elements remains the same: the winged headpiece, the stars on the bra and the loincloth on the middle.[19] However, changes were also made including the addition of a red platform in each side of her hips. According to the costume designer Regi Cruz, he considered Jane de Leon's body frame and made sure she's comfortable in moving when doing stunts. Make-up artist Joel Atienza said that a "fresh and young" look would fit her.[20]

In an exclusive interview with Preview, Christian Mark Rodil revealed that it took around 8 months for the iconic costume to be finished. Its defining materials includes: durable and light materials like EVA rubber sheets, fiber glass resin, and leather. Mark also said he created five different prototypes to choose the final look.[21]

• Gold Cuffs (Bracelets) – Darna has two bracelets in each of her wrist. She uses this mostly for defense, to deflect bullets and protect herself from any physical or magical attack against her opponents.
• Earpiece – a device made by Ding for them to have an efficient communication when she's doing missions.

In the last two episodes of the series, Darna unleashed "Hiraya" which is said to be her reaching the full potential of her powers. Hiraya consists of performing seven combat stances of Marte in a particular order. These stances are courage, integrity, self-confidence, hardwork and determination, discipline, patience, and kindness.[25]

• Absolute Invulnerability: While in her Hiraya form, Darna becomes immune to all kinds of damage, be it physical, spiritual or psychic. This was evident when Darna contained and even survived an explosion that has enough force to destroy Earth.[26]

• Cosmic Energy Channeling: As her whole body glows after successfully performing the seven stances of Marte, Darna summons energy from the cosmos and enhances the powers of the mythical stone to its full potential.[27]

• Aerokinesis: At the peak of her full potential, Darna showcases control over wind and air. She can generate tornados and control her opponents with it.

This section documents all awards, nominations and recognition given to Jane de Leon for her portrayal as Darna.

• Valentina — 'The Serpent Queen' and Darna's archenemy. She is Borgo's most powerful weapon against Darna and also has extraordinary powers including[39][40] Life-force Absorption, Extending Snake Tendrils, Superhuman Strength, Invulnerability, Enhanced Leap, Regenerative Healing Factor, Enhanced Flexibility/Agility, Snake Manipulation, Visual Linking, Enhanced Stealth, Night Vision and Gorgon Physiology.
• Heneral Borgo — An extraterrestrial being who has plans of taking control of the entire galaxy using the mythical stone in Darna's possession. He has shapeshifting abilities, a smart strategist and disguises as Regina Vanguardia's father as an accomplished businessman.[41][40]
• Xandra/Ishna — Borgo's right hand. As a skilled combatant, she moves around the town of Nueva Esperanza to manipulate humans. She has shapeshifting abilities and has advanced weaponry.[42][40]

• Strength Man (Fredo) — possesses superhuman strength used to destroy ams smash anything in sight.[43]
• Lindol Man (Javier) — can generate earthquakes to cause commotion and has limited geokinesis abilities.[43]
• Killer Ghost — can pass through walls by being invisible.[43]
• Clone Man (Vince) — he can generate multiple clones of himself which he uses to escape and manipulate his opponents.[43]
• Silent Shocker — the most powerful extra, he can create electrical blasts using electrokinesis, as well as deflect bullets using an energy shield created from electricity.[43]
• Human Urchin — the first female extra that has killer spikes that resemble the components of human bone.[43]
• Dragon Mouth (Inno) — a member of the x-triad, that has the ability to spew acid fluid that melts anything it touches.[43]
• The Seductress (Klara) — a member of the x-triad, which possesses hypnotic powers.[43]
• Boy Chop-Chop (Miguel) — a member of the x-triad that can detach both of his arms from his body.[43]
• Dark Brian — a wicked clone of Brian which came from the reflection of the mirror through the chrysalis.[43]
• Levitator (Eli) — possesses telekinesis to attack his opponents.[43]

• Dr. Florentino Ibarra (Mad Doctor) — a scientist in charge of the facility for the Extras. He later on became an extra with powers including: Telekinesis, Limited Pyrokinesis and Power Blasts.[44]
• Noah Vallesteros — One of Borgo's Super Soldiers. He possesses the power of Pyrokinesis.[45]
• Arthur Pineda — A corrupt police officer and one of Borgo's Super Soldiers. He has psychokinesis-like control over junks and garbages.[45]
• Andrei Abesamis — A former EMT and Noahs friend. As one of Borgo's Super Soldiers, everything he touches immediately turns into bombs.[45]
• Sigfried Cruz — A local journalist and one of Borgo's Super Soldiers. His powers includes summoning shield both for defense and offense.[45]
• Mayor Zaldy Vallesteros — Former mayor and one of Borgo's Super Soldiers. He can grow really big like a giant.[45]
• Maisha Rodriguez — Zaldys assistant and one of Borgo's Super Soldiers. She has the ability to make multiple clones of herself and has the power of Mass Manipulation.[45]