Narda Custodio
Narda Custodio, commonly known as "Narda", is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Jane de Leon in ABS-CBN's modern take of Darna, a concept created by Mars Ravelo. The character "Narda" first appeared on Pilipino Komiks No. 77 on May 13, 1950. Narda is depicted as a beautiful and stronger Filipina who is being prepared to be the successor of the Prime Darna, her mother Leonor Custodio/Zora played by Iza Calzado, as the next defender of the white mythical stone.
Narda was born and raised in Nueva Esperanza by Leonor/Zora and Lola Berta, together with her younger brother Ding. She was physically trained by her mother at a young age to prepare her against the extraterrestrial threats whose after the magical stone to seize power and rule over the entire galaxy. Narda is a master of Kali Martial Arts, possessing cat-like reflexes and speed due to her Martean blood.
Fictional character biography
Childhood and origin
Narda is the first born of Leonor, 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, four years after her mother's death.Breadwinner of the family, missions
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 owned by Regina Vanguardia. 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".Concept and creation
Darna has consistently served as a standard-bearer for bravery. After numerous film and television adaptations, commercials, theater shows, and television runs, The Mighty Warrior from Planet Marte has won the hearts of Filipinos for more than seventy years. Darna made a comeback on television over 12 years after the last adaptation aired, with Jane de Leon taking over the role this time.Brief history
On May 13, 1950, Mars Ravelo and Nestor Redondo released Darna for the first time. 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. 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."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. 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.
Casting
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. 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. 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.It was revealed that Jane de Leon stood out among the other 200 actresses that auditioned for the role. A list of potential ladies suited for the role was shortened to 7, according to director Jerrold Tarog. Some of the confirmed actresses who auditioned for the role includes: Maris Racal, Julia Barretto, Ana Luna and reportedly Bianca Umali.
Characterization
Darnas story, which is based on core values such as bravery, family values, and love, will be carried over from Mars Ravelo's original work. This modern version of Darna also honors everyday Filipino heroes like frontline healthcare workers. In keeping with this, the event debuted a mural painting called "Ikaw, Ako, Tayong Lahat si Darna" that featured Darna in her well-known outfit with regular Filipinos including a police officer, soldier, teacher, and jeepney driver. Darna is originally described to have "the charm of Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty and love; the fortitude of Apollo, the Greek god of eloquence and of the Sun; and the strength of Samson, the Biblical hero of great strength."Costume and appearance
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.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. 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.
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.
Powers and abilities
Everytime Narda Custodio swallows the mythical stone, she transforms into the mighty warrior Darna, which possesses supernatural abilities including enhanced strength & speed, flight, can swiftly dodge bullets and is immune to all kinds of man-made weapons.- Superhuman Strength: Darna is capable of lifting massive debris with one hand, throw enemies several miles away, effortlessly overpower her adversaries and crush man-made weapons like guns in seconds. However, few powerful enough beings were seen able to contend against her in this regard.
- Enhanced Reflexes: Darna can swiftly dodge and maneuver around complex attacks. She was able to use this skill to dodge attacks from Master Klaudio/Hergis during their first encounter.
- Superhuman Speed: Darna also has a wide range of speed levels. She can move from one place to another in a matter of seconds and thus could outpace or pursue all living beings, be so on foot or in flight. This is one of her most used ability which she gaudily used to either chase or attack her opponents.
- Invincibility: Darna is immune to all forms of physical attacks and has a high level of survivability. She is immune to grenade explosions and bullet attacks. Weapons like daggers cannot penetrate her skin. However, she can still feel and sustain damage from harm of non-mundane sources – such as those of extra-terrestrial origins.
- Enhanced Combat Mastery: Darna is skilled in combat, beating the toughest of opponents and dozens of aggressors at once. She has shown mastery in Kali Martial Arts and was notably trained by the experienced warriors from Planet Marte. Darna has also shown mastery in hand-to-hand battle combat used for both offense and defense.
- Flight: Darna is also blessed with the ability to fly at great heights.
- Sound Detection/Enhanced Hearing: Darna also has a heightened sense of hearing. She can detect sound waves wherever the source comes from, even if it's invisible, to home in on the sound's source, in a somewhat similar principle to sonar.
- Accelerated Rotation: Darna has the ability to create a strong wind force by spinning really fast to manipulate the air and wind. She first used this to extinguish the fire at the Charity Ball.
- Concussive Force: Darna also has the power to release a strong energy force, knocking her opponents and can cause fatal damage. She first used this to take down an infected Noah who possesses pyrokinesis.
- Indomitable Will: Darna has an unbreakable willpower. No matter how heavy the cards are stacked against her, she will not give up despite suffering severe bodily agony and psychological trauma.
Weaponry and equipment
- Gold Cuffs – 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.
Darna's Hiraya form
- 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.
- 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.
- Aerokinesis: At the peak of her full potential, Darna showcases control over wind and air. She can generate tornadoes and control her opponents with it.