Rhian Ramos’ Mitena is dressed for villainy
In a fantasy series like “Sang’gre,” costumes must be as theatrical as the worlds the characters inhabit—all without sacrificing function or practicality.
In her crystalline gown and shimmery winged cape, Rhian Ramos as ice queen Mitena is both regal and menacing. But while she must evoke a larger-than-life presence onscreen to captivate viewers, there are workability factors that can’t be overlooked.
How could she fight without tripping on her hem, or pricking herself (as she has) on her shoulder armor? Will the accessories hold up after long hours of taping and multiple shooting days? And will her feet curse her once she finally takes off her shoes?
“When there’s fantasy involved in how you look, there needs to be a certain level of comfort and freedom of movement in the clothing,” Ramos told Lifestyle in a recent interview.
The moment the actress saw the sketch of her royal gown’s waist-high slits, one thought immediately came to mind: “How can I make sure I feel at ease, or pull off a fight scene in this, if the situation calls for it?”
“I had to find the perfect pair of stockings, and I’ve lost count of how many I went through,” said Ramos, who collaborated closely with the show’s costume department. “The outfits were pretty much all set, so my contribution had more to do with sourcing base garments that helped pull everything together.”
Open or closed shoes? “What would make sense? How sustainable would they be, especially if I have to wear them for the next year?” she wondered. She also tried seven or eight platinum blonde wigs before settling on the one that felt just right. “It was very difficult to find hair that would last as long as the entire shoot.”
A key motif of her intricately embellished royal gown—just one of the handful Ramos is expected to wear on the show—is the jagged snowflake and icicle designs that adorn her shoulders, scepter, and crown-like headpiece that extends down to her face. Exquisite, yes, but also deceptively risky.
Scratched
“I’ve scratched myself so many times just doing normal movements,” Ramos said, laughing. “When I swing my scepter or a weapon above my head, I have to make sure I extend my arm fully so I don’t hit the spikes on my crown.”
And while the voluminous cape adds flair and drama, it can be quite cumbersome to manage, demanding small adjustments throughout the day. “I have to shift it, remove it, and put it back on a thousand times a day,” she said, pointing at the cuffs around her arms that keep the garment in place.
But she wouldn’t have it any other way. This goes beyond tiis-ganda. There’s something about putting on ornate costumes that shifts something in her—like she becomes an entirely different person at the snap of a finger.
“The process really does something to the actor. The spikes on my body, the crown on my head—they make me feel threatening and stir something in me that makes me want to boss everyone around,” she joked.
Directed by Enzo Williams and Rico Gutierrez, GMA 7’s “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” is a spin-off of the beloved local fantasy franchise “Encantadia,” now airing weeknights on the network’s prime-time block.
Mitena, the show’s main antagonist, is the twin sister of Cassiopeia (Solenn Heussaff), who would later become the first queen of Lireo, the land of the diwatas, and the person responsible for dividing the Mother Gem into four and scattering the pieces across the four kingdoms of Encantadia. However, because she was born an ivtre, a cursed spirit, Mitena was—at her father Memen’s behest—banished to the harsh, glacial lands of Mine-a-ve, where she grew up harboring resentment as she watched her sister rule from afar. Fueled by rejection, this wounded figure eventually transforms into a formidable villain.
The costume she wears is the sum of her strength and pain—a reflection of her elegant yet chilling nature. The white fabric echoes her icy domain, the beadwork and embellishments nod to her lineage, the headpiece and cape cast a veil of otherworldliness, and the scepter stands as a clear symbol of power forged through isolation and resilience.
Ensemble cast
Ramos joins an ensemble cast led by young actors Bianca Umali, Kelvin Miranda, Angel Guardian, and Faith da Silva, who respectively play Terra, Adamus, Deia, and Flammara—the new generation of Sang’gres, or royal-blooded diwata imbued with magical, often elemental, abilities.
“Mitena is the type of person who, ironically enough, doesn’t play it chill. She’ll show you her power the moment she meets you. Her grandeur is evident from the very first hello, hence all the gems and crystals. The icicles hint at danger,” she said.
Mitena is undeniably evil, but also deeply complex, making her an intriguing study for Ramos. “I love flawed characters,” she said. “They make my imagination run wild and inspire me to tap into my empathy … What could characters like her be going through that brings out the worst in them?”
Hoping to cement herself in heavy dramas, Ramos had actively avoided fantasy projects. But when she learned about Mitena—and the pivotal role she plays in the intricate machinery of Encantadia—she knew it was a part she couldn’t pass up. “The character is fleshed out, from beginning to end. I have a lot of material to work with,” she said.
That she was entrusted with such a role brought pressure and self-doubt. But she knows growth comes only from venturing out of her comfort zone. “My feelings only prove that I still care about my craft. And through the years, I’ve strived to be comfortable with being uncomfortable,” she said.
