My New Darna: Top 10 names for possible Darna

As expected, the beautiful Liza Soberano decided not to continue shooting the new darna series over at ABS-CBN 2. Her handlers say the role was physically tiring for the young actress and a finger injury was the one that broke the camel's back so to speak. She needs surgery and rest.

We all know what is truly the reason why Soberano backed out.

Soberano does not register as an authentic Darna except of course, if you want your Darna a darling matinee icon?

Soberano is a class all by herself. The fact is, Soberano a beautiful specimen of good American and Filipino genes and her face should instead, light up a thousand Western or US magazines. Or, maybe, audition for a role in a US show or film.

But, to be the Darna for the new generation, Tarrog and the other guys over at ABS-CBN 2 are gravely mistaken. Darna is not just some bimbo out there wearing a bikini with belt and a cowboy's lasso. Nope.

Darna is a personification of the Filipina woman, an iconic figure brought forth from the annals of Philippine history. What endeared Darna to the Filipino public is not a half-exposed boob, no.

Darna must personlify the beauty of the Filipina, the strength of her heart, exudes authority from her very skin and Respect is key.

Look at the long lines of actresses who portrayed Darna. Most of them are iconic figures before they donned the Darna suit, i.e., Vilma Santos, Sharon Cuneta, even Anjanette Abayari and Nanette Medved. Before Marian Rivera or Angel Locsin agreed to swallow the magical stone and turn themselves into Darna, they were already known to be beautiful ladies with down to earth attitudes and a highly dynamic public persona.

Soberano does not have those.

Who, then, do I think worthy of taking Soberano's place as Darna?

1. Pia Wurtzbach---- has the looks, the x-factor and probably the thespian skills to be THE Darna.

2. Bela Padilla--- she maybe be mestiza but she has that x-factor. She can be a sultry lady at one time and a virgin in another. After her highly successful stint as wife of the probinsyano, it is time for Bella to have her own show and Darna, I think is it.

3.Yen Santos--- has the body, the face to die for and I think, the chops to do the role.

4. Ariella Arida--- though she needs some acting workshop and training, Ariella has the appeal, the body and the attitude to make it into Darna.

5.  Maja Salvador--- she does not need my push. This girl rocks.

6. Bea Alonso

7. Sue Ramirez--- she is the rock n roll version of Darna. May appeal to Millennials.

8. Jessy Mendiola--- enuf said.

9. Valeen Montenegro--yes, yes, a Kapuso star. But for Darna, maybe the big bosses of GMA would allow her.

10. Kim Domingo--- this may yet boost her career to stratospheric heights!

Bela Padilla is my Darna--sorry, Liza!

Don't get me wrong--- I was one among thousands who thinks Liza Soberano is a superstar to watch for. Soberano is still young, about 19 years old, and she has years ahead of her. She has a face to die for, and a body that other women of her age envy.

When ABS-CBN announced that she's the millennial's answer to Darna, many, including this Writer think of her as a miscast. For one, Soberano is still a young actor. She is still developing her skills, especially in expressing a wide range of emotions.

I think ABS-CBN wants Soberano as the Pinoy's answer to Gal Gadot, the quintessential Wonderwoman who rocked the scene with her angas scenes in the movie Wonder Woman. Millions raved for her as Wonder woman. Though she's already married and at 32 years old, but she rocked it. And you know why?

Gadot knows how to use her beautiful face and extremely athletic body to do justice to the role. She appeals to the millennial not because she belongs to this generation but she truly created a very nice persona as wonder woman. She's beautiful and tough. She's intelligent and brave. She's naive yet principled.

Soberano is too young for the role. Parang hinog sa pilit. She is too cute, too sweet and you can't really imagine her doing tough, ass-licking roles. 

Many would watch her, of course, because she has that magnetic personality on screen. Yet, I really don't see her as the right one for Darna.

Our Darna is a leader. For years, Darna has fought monsters of Philippine society. Imagine Liza Soberano fighting those monsters. You can't flash that sweet smile against tikbalangs. Baka reypin lang siya ng mga yun.

She should be packaged as how Koreans packaged their sweet pretty young things---as pretty young things. She has ten more years to do those romantic roles. Then slowly transition her to more mature roles. Again, I can't really imagine her as Darna.

Who among ABS-CBN's stable of stars do I think deserve a Darna? I think of two: Maja Salvador and Bella Padilla.

Someone criticized me for picking Maja since she's reportedly small (5'2 even 5'1). If she's Darna, many advertisers would bet on her. She's blossomed into this decade's mega, megastar.

Another person who deserves the Darna role is Bella Padilla. I see in her the young Vilma Santos. She is very beautiful, sexy and can act. She has that magnetic connexion with the masses. When she died in Probinsyano, many, I think, millions cried. Padilla can stand up on her own. What's good about her is that hindi nakakasawa siyang tignan. Her face is very appealing. And Bella is a versatile actor.

I hope ABS-CBN reconsiders its decision. If they push thru, Liza's career could dive south this early.