“Impactful, Powerful, Remarkable, Iconic.”

This was how the admin of Iza Calzado’s official Facebook page described her highly talked about portrayal of Leonor Custodio, the first Darna in the newest Kapamilya series Mars Ravelo’s Darna that just had premiered last Monday, August 15 – to which a lot of viewers could totally agree.

Aside from looking forward on seeing Jane de Leon take flight as the Pinay superheroine of this generation, we were also anticipating how her journey would start and unfold. And we were indeed delighted to learn that the story would take off with the stone being passed on to Jane de Leon’s character, Narda, by her mom and the First Darna in the series, Iza Calzado.

IN PHOTOS: Iza Calzado as the First Darna

As we found ourselves immediately fascinated by what we saw in the first gap of the pilot episode, we were further enthralled as we watched Iza do her fight scenes versus a cyborg from Planet Marte while cladded in the iconic red and gold costume in the succeeding gap. We were amazed by how she’s able to nail her stances and routines, as well as compel us with her nuances and facial expressions, while doing her stunts and fight scenes – making a lot of viewers convinced that she indeed is the perfect choice to portray the legendary comic book character.

Sadly, as much as we wanted to see her more in the series, Iza’s stint as Darna already ended in the second episode as Leonor got fatally shot by the extraterrestrial creatures that attacked their town while trying to save her folks. We saw her body disintegrated into flaming ashes, as well as the stone that she tried to swallow and transform into becoming the superheroine.

The 40-year-old actress’ performance was too captivating, that a lot of netizens rave about it on social media and even wished to see the backstory of Leonor as Darna through a prequel! Here are some of the enthusiastic tweets about it that they posted on Twitter a few days ago:

Iza Calzado as the first DARNA. 😍 The perfect meaning of In God’s time. She totally slayed! Goosebumps already on the pilot episode. But more so that she was offered the role DARNA 18 yrs ago and lost the role then. It’s never too late for dreams to come true. Inspiring! pic.twitter.com/TfvzGrgWQV

— Karen Bordador (@Karen_Bordador) August 17, 2022

Iza Calzado as Leonor and the first #Darna just oh my god. Super bagay sya sa to be the Darna! 😍 pic.twitter.com/AbH6Gvdp1N

— Claire 🌸🎀 (@claireyu) August 15, 2022

In less than 2 episodes, she delivered one of the best and fiercest DARNA portrayals, EVER. MARKADO.

Congrats Queen Iza Calzado, the ICONIC #FirstDarna!!! pic.twitter.com/70KRtDNlIt

— Miss France Sajorda (@PrincessFrance) August 16, 2022

Iza Calzado is without a doubt, the A++ version of Darna. Her Leonor and first Darna stint has sought the Filipino viewers to crave for a prequel or an origin story of Leonor. #FirstDarna pic.twitter.com/rswS5geBin

— Giovanni Orosio (@gioorosioo) August 16, 2022

There's a reason why THEE Iza Calzado didn't get the role before and just got it now.

She got the role when it was being represented and conveyed with the respect it deserves, and I think God has blessed her for that.

She legit looks like a warrior who happens to be female. pic.twitter.com/c5SiGpq4WD

— BGYO-TXT Athan (@BGYOAthan) August 15, 2022

ms. iza calzado is so deserving as the first darna. that training scene with jane- i love her subtle yet impactful acting.#Darna

— ♛ (@majagnificent) August 15, 2022

Short exposure yet so powerful🔥
Thank you to Ms. Iza Calzado as Leonor #FirstDarna #DarnaTheTVSeries #Leonor pic.twitter.com/ONl8gbzNyK

— Jonella (@notsoclassygirl) August 16, 2022

From "kamukha niya si Mama Mary" to an enduring heroine. The stance, the nuances, the facial expressions, the fucking gorgeous face. Just wow, Iza Calzado. 🤍 #Darna pic.twitter.com/TzI8ybHnMQ

— Sugar 🍭 (@HolaShooga) August 15, 2022

Iza Calzado has been in the industry for almost two decades and yet she has still managed to capture everyone's attention with her sultry-like eyes, endearing aura and classy acting skills. Indeed one of the most underrated leading women with a voice of integrity. #DarnaTVSeries

— Ate Era (@erareinamareads) August 16, 2022

OMG! Iza Calzado hand to hand combat skills is so amazing! I love it #DarnaTheTVSeries #Darna#IzaCalzado

— Imagery (@IsaChiesMoiCia) August 16, 2022

ang perfect ni Ms. Iza Calzado for the role of the first #Darna. the height, the face, the body and the acting. grabe lang. bagay na bagay. pic.twitter.com/rnkDSHrm8A

— Shuichi Minamino 南野秀 (@flying_shuichi) August 15, 2022

Napaka ethereal ni Iza Calzado as #Darna! The mighty warrior from Planet Marte! #DarnaTheTVSeries pic.twitter.com/btq0vdeFTm

— Miko Reyes (@itsmemikoreyes) August 15, 2022

Short but remarkable. Sudden yet powerful. ✨
Saludo para kay #Leonor! ⭐#IzaCalzado #FirstDarna#DarnaTheTVSeries pic.twitter.com/NTbB91YWpa

— Juaca Bengal (@aLtajuaca) August 16, 2022

Iza Calzado as the Unang Darna is a great choice. Super deserve. #Darna

— Daniel Alen Saja (@Danielalensaja) August 15, 2022

Iza’s stint in Darna may be already over, but we may keep on showering Jane de Leon, Janella Salvador, and the rest of the Mars Ravelo’s Darna family with love and support by not missing an episode, weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5 and A2Z and iWantTFC.