‘Encantadia’ 2016 star Glaiza de Castro: 10 awesome things to know about the new Pirena

Get to know more about Glaiza as she takes on the role of the keeper of the Fire Jewel

MANILA, Philippines – As fansanticipate the release of the new Encantadia this year, a lot of them cheered when Glaiza de Castro was announced as the actress to play Pirena, the eldest of the sang’gres with the ability to control fire. (WATCH: First ‘Encantadia’ 2016 trailer released)

Although she is not new in showbiz – having appeared in various soaps (Amaya, The Rich Man’s Daughter, Temptation of Wife, and Grazilda) – Encantadia, no doubt, is one of Glaiza’s biggest roles to date.

Reporters and bloggers got to spend time with her on the roads of Quezon City, as she jammed inside a car, last June 16.

Here are some awesome things to know about the new keeper of the BrilyantengApoy(fire jewel).

1. She went through a rigorous audition process and extensive training for Encantadia.

During the blog conference, Glaiza shared that she auditioned for the role last year.

Knowing that it was a demanding role, she went back to the gym, and during the audition, she was given a scene from the original Encantadiato act out.

“Tapossiguroilang weeks din after or ilang days, nakatanggapakong second callback. Taposumartenaakokasamangibangmgaartists,” she said.

(Then after several weeks or days, I received a second callback. And then I acted out scenes alongside other actors.)

“Pinag-suotnanila kami ng costume – yung original costume.Sabiko, ‘Ito nabaiyon, itonabaiyon?”

(They made us wear the costume – the original costume. I said, ‘Is this it?’)

After the series of auditions, Glaiza, along with the other cast members were called back and were asked how much they like their roles. It was soon announced that they got their respective parts in the show.

Glaiza worked out, doing Arnis, Muay Thai, and boxing. She also tries to run in between her tapings.

2. She has the blessing of the original Pirena.

During the blog conference held at Runner’s Kitchen, Glaiza was asked to comment on being congratulated by Sunshine Dizon, who played Pirena in the 2005 series.

Coincidentally, Sunshine has a special role in the so-called “requel” of the show.

“Nakakatuwa.Parang wow, kumbagaparang may approval ngreyna,” Glaiza said when asked about Sunshine’s blessing. “Alamkona tweet koiyonnaparang thank you mahalnareyna. Siyempre, bilangpagalang.”

(I’m very happy. It’s like, wow, because it’s like you have the approval of a queen. I know I tweeted, ‘Thank you, my queen.’ Of course, I was paying my respects.)

3. Encantadia reunites her with Marian Rivera.

The show is also sort of a “reunion” forGlaiza and Marian, who starred in two projects together: Amaya and Temptation of Wife.

They were supposed to be together in The Rich Man’s Daughter, but Marian had to bow out of the project after she became pregnant with her daughter Letizia.

Glaiza expressed her happiness in acting with Marian again, whom she considered as one of her best friends in the industry.

In the show, Marian plays Reyna Mine-a, the mother of the 4 sang’gres.

According to Glaiza, she and Marian were joking around when they started taping for the show. She shared that they even call each other “Bai,” a Cebuano term of endearment.

“‘Bai,’ as in ngayontawagan pa din namin ay ‘Bai.'” she said.“‘Bai, nag-play natayomagkapatidtayo, kerida (mistresses), almost lovers, ngayonnanay.Ano pa ba?'” she shared.

(‘Bai’ – we call each other ‘Bai.’ ‘Bai, we already played sisters, mistresses, almost lovers and now, you’re my mother. What else?)

“Yung parangnagtatawananna kami kasiparangangdaminaminpinagsamahan.Taposngayon, angweirdlang – in a good way – namagigingnanaykosiya.”

(We were laughing like that because we’ve been through many things together. And then now, it’s weird – in a good way – that she’s now my mother.)

“Peronakakatuwa. Hindi komakakalimutanyungisangeksenanamin together,”Glaiza continued.“Medyochallenging scene iyon.Ito yung heart ng show.Ito yungisasamga biggest scenes ngEncantadia.”

(But it’s thrilling. I wouldn’t forget one particular scene with us together. It was challenging. This is the heart of the show. This is one of the biggest scenes of Encantadia.)

She explained about how different it is working with Marian from working with the newer cast members: “Namisskosiyakasiyungkind of relationshipmeronangco-actors,iyonyungkumbagagustongmadevelopsaaminngmgabagongkasamako. Yung kumbagaparangtinginanlangnaalamnasinusoportahankaniya.”

(I miss her, because the relationship we have as co-actors, that’s what I hope to develop with the newer cast members. It’s like all you have to do is just look at each other and you know that you have each other’s support.)

When asked to describe her friendship with her, Glaiza said that Marian is one of the “sincerest” friends she has ever met.

4. Glaiza describes Pirena as a ‘misunderstood’ woman.

Glaiza said that one of the best ways to describe her character, Pirena, is that she is a “misunderstood” and “misguided” woman.

“She doesn’t want to explain herself too much. Or minsan, hindimoalam kung anoanginiisipniya,” she explained. “Yung mga schemesniya, tipong, hindimoalam kung anonggagawinniyanasususunod.

(Sometimes you don’t know what she is thinking of. Her schemes are, like, you don’t know what she’s up to next.)

“Kasi, may point namansiya. Para sa akin, masasabikona understandable yung reasons niya, peroyung way of getting what she wants, fighting for what she thinks is right… Minsanmedyohindi tama kasina-nurture ngmgataoangway of thinkingniya.”

(She has a point. But for me, I can say her reasons are understandable but her way of getting what she wants, fighting for what she thinks is right. Sometimes, it’s because people didn’t nurture her way of thinking in the right manner.)

In the show, Pirena will grow to hate her sisters, especially Amihan, who she considers as a rival for Lireo’s throne.

She grows up in the care of a dama named Gurna, who poisons her mind in thinking that she is not good enough to be Queen.

“Naka-empathize ako […] and na-realize konaI think there’s a Pirena in all of us. Na merontalagatayong times naakalanatinna tama yungginagawanatin or akalana tama yungway of thinkingnatinpero it’s just our pride telling us na, ‘Hindi, kailangankoipaglabanyungfreedommo,’ ganun.”Glaiza said that as she studied Pirena’s character, she mused that there is a Pirena in everyone.

(I was able to emphatize [with her] and I realized that I think there’s a Pirena in all of us. That we have these times that we think we are correct with our decisions or that we are correct with our way of thinking, but it’s just our pride telling us, ‘No, I need to fight for your freedom,’ like that.)

5. She has praises for Mira actress and newcomer Kate Valdez.

In Encantadia, Pirena gives birth to a daughter named Mira, who she will switch with Amihan’s daughter Lira. Mira will be played by newcomer Kate Valdez, and Glaiza has nothing but praises for the young actress.

“Natutuwaakosabatangiyonkasianosiya, very accomodating, parang very warm.Everytimenanagte-taping kami, sabiko, ‘Itongbatangito, bagaynamaginganakko. Yung tama yungpagka-cast sakanyabilanganakniPirena,” Glaiza said.

(I’m pleased with that girl because she’s very accomodating, very warm. Every time we tape scenes together, I say, ‘This kid is really suited to play my daughter.’ She’s really suited to play Pirena’s daughter.)

6. She admits to being protective towards her castmates – especially her sang’gre ‘sisters.’

As they spend more time together doing the show, Glaiza does not hide the fact she and Kylie Padilla tend to be protective as they look out for the other two sang’gres, Gabbi Garcia and Sanya Lopez.

“Yes, I thinknagiging natural saaminna mag-respond nangganun,” Glaiza said. “Sincenakikitanaminyung– especially when you see that they need help or they need guidance or kungano man concerns nila. Siyempre, instinctnaiyonnakahithindimokadugo, kumbaga, bilangmasnagtrabahokasaindustriyang mas matagal.”

(Yes I think it’s natural for us to respond like that. Since we see – especially when we see that they need help or they need guidance, or whatever concerns they have. Of course, it’s instinct that even if you’re not related by blood – in other words as you’ve worked in the industry for a long time.)

“I think yungEncantadia kaya nag-work siya before, kasi the sang’gres are very supportive to each otherlalonasi Sunshine [Dizon],” she added.

(I think the reason why the original Encantadia worked is because the sang’greswere very supportive of each other, especially Sunshine.)

7. She is a singer-songwriter.

Glaiza is known as an actress, but do you know that she is also a singer and songwriter?

She has recorded 3 albums, with the last one entitled Synthesis. She even gave a sample of her skills during the blogcon.

She even has a starring role in Quark Henares’ Rakenrol, in which she plays Irene, the would-be frontwoman of the band Hapipaks.

8. She was really thrilled to meet Mario Maurer.

At the ToyCon last June 10-12, Glaiza and some members of the cast attended the event and got to meet the other celebrity guests including Lois and Clark star Dean Cain and KristianNairn, who played Hodor in Game of Thrones.

But it was Mario Maurer who got Glaiza’s attention, and she even had a photo taken with him.

During the Slumbook series interview with Manual ToLyf’s Florencio Jusay, Glaiza recalled how she met the Thai actor.

She and the cast of Encantadia were in one table when they saw him. “Dumatingsi Mario taposentourage, then ‘Uy, si Mario.’ Hah! Ayyy…Gumanontalagaako,” Glaiza said as she described her reaction seeing him.

(Mario arrived with his entourage and then I was like, ‘Hey, it’s Mario.’ ‘Hah! Ayyy…’ I reacted like that.)

“TapossiDirekMark [Reyes], sabi, ‘Glaiza!Isa kangsang’gre!’SabinidirekMark ‘tsakapagnaka-costume na kayo, silanamagpapa-picture saiyo. Controlkalangdyan, huwagkamasyadomagpakitangganyan – ngkilig. At sinobaiyan?”

(And then director Mark Reyes said, ‘Glaiza! You are a sang’gre!’ He said, ‘And when you are in costume, they will be the ones to have photos taken with you. So control yourself, don’t show too much of your kilig. By the way, who is he?)

Glaiza also said that boys of the show – Rocco Nacino, PanchoMagno, and Carlo Gonzalez – were supportive of her approaching the actor, which she eventually did.

9. She loves to watch action-packed TV series and movies.

Glaiza said that in her spare time, she would watch the TV series Arrow and Game of Thrones to inspire her to be fit.

She said that the last film she watched was Captain America: Civil War.

10. When it comes to romance, Glaiza believes in timing.

Glaiza has been linked in the past to model-actor Benjamin Alves but since then, her love life has been quiet.

When asked about what really happened between her and Benjamin, Glaiza said: “Hindi namansapumasaano, hindilang nag-swak, nag-click,” adding the timing was not right.

(It’s not that he did not pass. It’s just that things didn’t properly fall into place. We just did not click.)

When asked about qualities that she likes in a man, Glaiza said it is all about timing.Glaiza is not closing her doors, but said that suitors will definitely have to wait.

“Na-realize ko din naakoyung type of personnamaybuildup. Matagalako mag-respond, matagalako mag-analyze. Kasi gusto konapagdumatingnaakosa point, sure na sure naako, yung ready naako, sure ako. Kaya yungpagigingpatientniya,” she said.

(I realize that I’m the type of person who needs a buildup. It takes time for me to respond and to analyze. Because I want that when I reach a certain point, I’m very sure, that I’m ready, that I’m sure. So being patient is one of the qualities I want in a guy.)

As the hype for the new Encantadiaseries reaches fever pitch, Glaiza is inviting everyone to watch it.

2. She has the blessing of the original Pirena.

During the blog conference held at Runner’s Kitchen, Glaiza was asked to comment on being congratulated by Sunshine Dizon, who played Pirena in the 2005 series.

Coincidentally, Sunshine has a special role in the so-called “requel” of the show.

“Nakakatuwa.Parang wow, kumbagaparang may approval ngreyna,” Glaiza said when asked about Sunshine’s blessing. “Alamkona tweet koiyonnaparang thank you mahalnareyna. Siyempre, bilangpagalang.”

(I’m very happy. It’s like, wow, because it’s like you have the approval of a queen. I know I tweeted, ‘Thank you, my queen.’ Of course, I was paying my respects.)

The show is also sort of a “reunion” forGlaiza and Marian, who starred in two projects together: Amaya and Temptation of Wife.

They were supposed to be together in The Rich Man’s Daughter, but Marian had to bow out of the project after she became pregnant with her daughter Letizia.

Glaiza expressed her happiness in acting with Marian again, whom she considered as one of her best friends in the industry.

In the show, Marian plays Reyna Mine-a, the mother of the 4 sang’gres.

According to Glaiza, she and Marian were joking around when they started taping for the show. She shared that they even call each other “Bai,” a Cebuano term of endearment.

“‘Bai,’ as in ngayontawagan pa din namin ay ‘Bai.'” she said.“‘Bai, nag-play natayomagkapatidtayo, kerida (mistresses), almost lovers, ngayonnanay.Ano pa ba?'” she shared.

(‘Bai’ – we call each other ‘Bai.’ ‘Bai, we already played sisters, mistresses, almost lovers and now, you’re my mother. What else?)

“Yung parangnagtatawananna kami kasiparangangdaminaminpinagsamahan.Taposngayon, angweirdlang – in a good way – namagigingnanaykosiya.”

(We were laughing like that because we’ve been through many things together. And then now, it’s weird – in a good way – that she’s now my mother.)

“Peronakakatuwa. Hindi komakakalimutanyungisangeksenanamin together,”Glaiza continued.“Medyochallenging scene iyon.Ito yung heart ng show.Ito yungisasamga biggest scenes ngEncantadia.”

(But it’s thrilling. I wouldn’t forget one particular scene with us together. It was challenging. This is the heart of the show. This is one of the biggest scenes of Encantadia.)

She explained about how different it is working with Marian from working with the newer cast members: “Namisskosiyakasiyungkind of relationshipmeronangco-actors,iyonyungkumbagagustongmadevelopsaaminngmgabagongkasamako. Yung kumbagaparangtinginanlangnaalamnasinusoportahankaniya.”

(I miss her, because the relationship we have as co-actors, that’s what I hope to develop with the newer cast members. It’s like all you have to do is just look at each other and you know that you have each other’s support.)

When asked to describe her friendship with her, Glaiza said that Marian is one of the “sincerest” friends she has ever met.

4. Glaiza describes Pirena as a ‘misunderstood’ woman.

Glaiza said that one of the best ways to describe her character, Pirena, is that she is a “misunderstood” and “misguided” woman.

“She doesn’t want to explain herself too much. Or minsan, hindimoalam kung anoanginiisipniya,” she explained. “Yung mga schemesniya, tipong, hindimoalam kung anonggagawinniyanasususunod.

(Sometimes you don’t know what she is thinking of. Her schemes are, like, you don’t know what she’s up to next.)

“Kasi, may point namansiya. Para sa akin, masasabikona understandable yung reasons niya, peroyung way of getting what she wants, fighting for what she thinks is right… Minsanmedyohindi tama kasina-nurture ngmgataoangway of thinkingniya.”

(She has a point. But for me, I can say her reasons are understandable but her way of getting what she wants, fighting for what she thinks is right. Sometimes, it’s because people didn’t nurture her way of thinking in the right manner.)

In the show, Pirena will grow to hate her sisters, especially Amihan, who she considers as a rival for Lireo’s throne.

She grows up in the care of a dama named Gurna, who poisons her mind in thinking that she is not good enough to be Queen.

Glaiza said that as she studied Pirena’s character, she mused that there is a Pirena in everyone.

“Naka-empathize ako […] and na-realize konaI think there’s a Pirena in all of us. Na merontalagatayong times naakalanatinna tama yungginagawanatin or akalana tama yungway of thinkingnatinpero it’s just our pride telling us na, ‘Hindi, kailangankoipaglabanyungfreedommo,’ ganun.”

(I was able to emphatize [with her] and I realized that I think there’s a Pirena in all of us. That we have these times that we think we are correct with our decisions or that we are correct with our way of thinking, but it’s just our pride telling us, ‘No, I need to fight for your freedom,’ like that.)

5. She has praises for Mira actress and newcomer Kate Valdez.

In Encantadia, Pirena gives birth to a daughter named Mira, who she will switch with Amihan’s daughter Lira. Mira will be played by newcomer Kate Valdez, and Glaiza has nothing but praises for the young actress.

“Natutuwaakosabatangiyonkasianosiya, very accomodating, parang very warm.Everytimenanagte-taping kami, sabiko, ‘Itongbatangito, bagaynamaginganakko. Yung tama yungpagka-cast sakanyabilanganakniPirena,” Glaiza said.

(I’m pleased with that girl because she’s very accomodating, very warm. Every time we tape scenes together, I say, ‘This kid is really suited to play my daughter.’ She’s really suited to play Pirena’s daughter.)

6. She admits to being protective towards her castmates – especially her sang’gre ‘sisters.’As they spend more time together doing the show, Glaiza does not hide the fact she and Kylie Padilla tend to be protective as they look out for the other two sang’gres, Gabbi Garcia and Sanya Lopez.

“Yes, I thinknagiging natural saaminna mag-respond nangganun,” Glaiza said. “Sincenakikitanaminyung– especially when you see that they need help or they need guidance or kungano man concerns nila. Siyempre, instinctnaiyonnakahithindimokadugo, kumbaga, bilangmasnagtrabahokasaindustriyang mas matagal.”

(Yes I think it’s natural for us to respond like that. Since we see – especially when we see that they need help or they need guidance, or whatever concerns they have. Of course, it’s instinct that even if you’re not related by blood – in other words as you’ve worked in the industry for a long time.)

“I think yungEncantadia kaya nag-work siya before, kasi the sang’gres are very supportive to each otherlalonasi Sunshine [Dizon],” she added.

(I think the reason why the original Encantadia worked is because the sang’greswere very supportive of each other, especially Sunshine.)

8. She was really thrilled to meet Mario Maurer.

At the ToyCon last June 10-12, Glaiza and some members of the cast attended the event and got to meet the other celebrity guests including Lois and Clark star Dean Cain and KristianNairn, who played Hodor in Game of Thrones.

But it was Mario Maurer who got Glaiza’s attention, and she even had a photo taken with him.

During the Slumbook series interview with Manual ToLyf’s Florencio Jusay, Glaiza recalled how she met the Thai actor.

She and the cast of Encantadia were in one table when they saw him. “Dumatingsi Mario taposentourage, then ‘Uy, si Mario.’ Hah! Ayyy…Gumanontalagaako,” Glaiza said as she described her reaction seeing him.

(Mario arrived with his entourage and then I was like, ‘Hey, it’s Mario.’ ‘Hah! Ayyy…’ I reacted like that.)

“TapossiDirekMark [Reyes], sabi, ‘Glaiza!Isa kangsang’gre!’SabinidirekMark ‘tsakapagnaka-costume na kayo, silanamagpapa-picture saiyo. Controlkalangdyan, huwagkamasyadomagpakitangganyan – ngkilig. At sinobaiyan?”

(And then director Mark Reyes said, ‘Glaiza! You are a sang’gre!’ He said, ‘And when you are in costume, they will be the ones to have photos taken with you. So control yourself, don’t show too much of your kilig. By the way, who is he?)

Glaiza also said that boys of the show – Rocco Nacino, PanchoMagno, and Carlo Gonzalez – were supportive of her approaching the actor, which she eventually did.

9. She loves to watch action-packed TV series and movies.

Glaiza said that in her spare time, she would watch the TV series Arrow and Game of Thrones to inspire her to be fit.

She said that the last film she watched was Captain America: Civil War.

10. When it comes to romance, Glaiza believes in timing.

Glaiza has been linked in the past to model-actor Benjamin Alves but since then, her love life has been quiet.

When asked about what really happened between her and Benjamin, Glaiza said: “Hindi namansapumasaano, hindilang nag-swak, nag-click,” adding the timing was not right.

(It’s not that he did not pass. It’s just that things didn’t properly fall into place. We just did not click.)

Glaiza is not closing her doors, but said that suitors will definitely have to wait.

When asked about qualities that she likes in a man, Glaiza said it is all about timing.

“Na-realize ko din naakoyung type of personnamaybuildup. Matagalako mag-respond, matagalako mag-analyze. Kasi gusto konapagdumatingnaakosa point, sure na sure naako, yung ready naako, sure ako. Kaya yungpagigingpatientniya,” she said.

(I realize that I’m the type of person who needs a buildup. It takes time for me to respond and to analyze. Because I want that when I reach a certain point, I’m very sure, that I’m ready, that I’m sure. So being patient is one of the qualities I want in a guy.)

As the hype for the new Encantadiaseries reaches fever pitch, Glaiza is inviting everyone to watch it. Watch:

During the Slumbook series interview with Manual ToLyf’s Florencio Jusay, Glaiza recalled how she met the Thai actor.

She and the cast of Encantadia were in one table when they saw him. “Dumatingsi Mario taposentourage, then ‘Uy, si Mario.’ Hah! Ayyy…Gumanontalagaako,” Glaiza said as she described her reaction seeing him.

(Mario arrived with his entourage and then I was like, ‘Hey, it’s Mario.’ ‘Hah! Ayyy…’ I reacted like that.)

“TapossiDirekMark [Reyes], sabi, ‘Glaiza!Isa kangsang’gre!’SabinidirekMark ‘tsakapagnaka-costume na kayo, silanamagpapa-picture saiyo. Controlkalangdyan, huwagkamasyadomagpakitangganyan – ngkilig. At sinobaiyan?”

(And then director Mark Reyes said, ‘Glaiza! You are a sang’gre!’ He said, ‘And when you are in costume, they will be the ones to have photos taken with you. So control yourself, don’t show too much of your kilig. By the way, who is he?)

Glaiza also said that boys of the show – Rocco Nacino, PanchoMagno, and Carlo Gonzalez – were supportive of her approaching the actor, which she eventually did.

9. She loves to watch action-packed TV series and movies.

Glaiza said that in her spare time, she would watch the TV series Arrow and Game of Thrones to inspire her to be fit.

She said that the last film she watched was Captain America: Civil War.

10. When it comes to romance, Glaiza believes in timing.

Glaiza has been linked in the past to model-actor Benjamin Alves but since then, her love life has been quiet.

When asked about what really happened between her and Benjamin, Glaiza said: “Hindi namansapumasaano, hindilang nag-swak, nag-click,” adding the timing was not right.

(It’s not that he did not pass. It’s just that things didn’t properly fall into place. We just did not click.)

Glaiza is not closing her doors, but said that suitors will definitely have to wait.

When asked about qualities that she likes in a man, Glaiza said it is all about timing.

“Na-realize ko din naakoyung type of personnamaybuildup. Matagalako mag-respond, matagalako mag-analyze. Kasi gusto konapagdumatingnaakosa point, sure na sure naako, yung ready naako, sure ako. Kaya yungpagigingpatientniya,” she said.

(I realize that I’m the type of person who needs a buildup. It takes time for me to respond and to analyze. Because I want that when I reach a certain point, I’m very sure, that I’m ready, that I’m sure. So being patient is one of the qualities I want in a guy.)

In it, she thanks the fans in a mix of Enchanta and Filipino: “Avisalaeshmasainyongsuporta, at sanamanood kayo ngEncantadia(Thank you for your support, and hopefully, you watch Encantadia).” – Rappler.com