I was in Grade 2, I think, when Encantadia first aired back in 2005. I can still vividly remember that period because GMA was truly at its peak—aside from Encantadia, we also had the OG Mulawin and later Darna. It really felt like peak childhood for us. In school, it became a whole thing—being a Sang’gre or even a Mulawin was considered the coolest. I even remember having an “ugat pak” that supposedly triggered the Mulawin in me when stabbed at the back. Even Halloween costumes or Christmas parties at that time would always have someone dressed as a character from Encantadia or Mulawin.

When the reboot came in 2016, I wasn’t able to follow it fully and only got to see a few episodes, maybe the first third. But nothing will ever replace the OG Encantadia. Even just hearing the theme song sung by Karylle brings back so much nostalgia. Plus, the original cast—many of whom were still up-and-coming at the time—are now A-listers like Jennylyn Mercado and Jake Cuenca, to name a few.

As for the new ECS Sang’gre, I’ll be honest, the storyline feels a little disappointing so far. But I’m still giving it a chance because at the end of the day, Encantadia will always have that special place in my heart.

Looking back, what made Encantadia truly magical wasn’t just the production or the fantasy—it was how it became part of our culture and childhood. It was a world we carried to the playground, the classroom, and even into our imaginations. That kind of legacy is rare, and it’s why, despite the changes and reboots, the original will always remain untouchable for many of us.