Darna is a symbolic figure in Philippine pop culture. The lady clad in red and gold holds a special place in the hearts of Filipinos everywhere, especially members of the LGBTQIA+ community who seek to emulate her grace and power.
Ever since she leaped out of Mars Ravelo's comic books in the 1950s, she's been reborn through numerous talented women across film and TV. For Preview's June 2024 Pride cover, Darna was embodied by actress and host KaladKaren, whose rendition of the suit of armor was custom-made by acclaimed Filipino designer Neric Beltran.
Neric Beltran on KaladKaren's "Trans Darna" Look in Preview's Pride 2024 Cover
This year's Pride cover reimagined classic Filipino films through a queer lens, with some layouts requiring recreations of particular outfits. It was imperative to include the 1970s to 1980s era of Darna, alongside her equally-as-iconic costume. Neric proved to be the perfect collaborator to achieve such a look, given his mastery of fantastical yet streamlined designs.
"I felt happy and excited to create a Darna look. [I was also] pressured because Darna is a very iconic superhero," he shares with Preview, adding how he didn't want to overly veer away from the character's imagery, saying that it would be "sacrilege" to do so.
In close coordination with our fashion team, Neric was able to churn out his version of the costume in a week. Sheeny red and gold fabric were fashioned together into a one-piece suit, with crystal-encrusted mesh fabric dangling from the corset. True to the original ensemble, stars were placed on each side of the breastplate, and peplum panels were positioned by the hips.
For Neric, what made the look distinctly KaladKaren's was the fact that she was the first transgender woman to personify Darna on a mainstream media platform. To symbolize this, he incorporated light pink and blue gemstones on the sarimanok headpiece, harking back to the colors of the transgender flag.
The designer feels "very honored and happy to create something that represents KaladKaren as a fierce and strong person." He expresses he's always one to support his fellow LGBTQIA+ sisters, emphasizing that it's his responsibility as a gay fashion designer.
KaladKaren on Embodying the "Trans Darna"
KaladKaren echoes Neric's sentiments about the superhero. "In pop culture and history, nag-iisa si Darna," she states.
The actress felt the pressure to give the character her own touch, given the powerhouse lineage of actresses who have portrayed her in the past. Despite this, she was more than excited to suit up.
"Lumaki ako na si Anjanette Abayari si Darna. Dyosa sya sa kagandahan, at nakakamangha ang kanyang katapangan," KaladKaren recalls. "Kapag napapanood ko sya, napapasabi ako sa sarili ko, 'Grabe naman yung babaeng 'to. Ako kaya, magiging si Darna kaya ako?'"
This wishful thinking carries on now that KaladKaren has matured, so when she was given the opportunity to actualize such an aspiration, she knew she had to take it. "Kailangan bonggahan ko 'to. Kailangan maging pasabog akong Darna, just like Anjanette, Marian [Rivera], Angel [Locsin], and all of the other Darnas in history," she remembers telling herself.
KaladKaren intimately knows the connection queer people share with the heroine. "'Yan ang pangarap nating mga beki eh, ang maging si Darna," she says. The news anchor is aware that not everyone will agree that such an iconic figure can be played by a transgender woman, which is why she recognizes the courage that drove such a depiction.
"Napakalaking responsibilidad din sa akin yun, to represent the trans community, to show that we can also be superheroes. To show that we can be Darna," she muses. Overall, KaladKaren considers the brief amount of time she donned the costume as one of the most unforgettable moments in her career. It was her first time to be dressed by Neric, a designer she's greatly admired, and it was finally her chance to become the Darna she always wanted to be.
"I'm super proud of Preview for recreating the story of Darna through LGBTQIA+ people," she expresses. "Tayong mga members ng LGBTQIA+ community ay may kakayahang maging superhero, kasi lahat tayo may kakayahang tumulong at baguhin ang buhay ng iba, maski yung sarili nating mga buhay."
Read the Preview Pride June 2024 cover story here. Get to know each cover star here.
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