New “DARNA” Actress JANE DE LEON Shares SUPERHERO WORKOUT Routine

Western comic books may have their “Wonder Woman,” a character under the DC brand, but the Philippines lacks not its own super-power heroine thanks to Mars Ravelo creation “Darna.” The media presence of the red-clad champion of justice may have long shifted from comics to film to TV, but her appeal is such that fans eagerly await her next appearance. That anticipation has not waned even with the delays as the lead role has changed hands across several actresses. At present, dancer-actress Jane de Leon has Darna’s transformation stone in hand. But before she puts on the red bikini-like costume, she needs to prepare thoroughly.

According to Inquirer.net, Jane de Leon is currently undergoing intense training to fit into her big role as Darna in the Filipina superhero’s next cinematic outing under ABS-CBN Films and Star Cinema. While already in quite good physical shape due to being once part of the GirlTrends dance group on the Kapamilya network’s noontime variety program “It’s Showtime!,” Jane does need to ramp up her conditioning to both play the part of an action character like Darna, not to mention look the part. Thus, she has been under the care of celebrity fitness trainer Culver Padilla, and even shared one of her routines last weekend.

De Leon posted a video snippet of herself on Instagram the previous Saturday, July 16, doing intense weight training at a gym under Padilla’s oversight. Said routine was a hyperextension exercise, with the 20-year-old actress doing abdominals over an inclined exercise bench while clutching a barbell weight in her hands. Jane noted in her caption that starting from that weekend post she will begin to upload more footage of her physical training regimen for her Instagram followers, with the fan comments expressing admiration for her.

View this post on Instagram

Starting today mag-uupload na ako ng mga trainings ko. 💦 #Hyperextension @culverpadilla

A post shared by J A N E (@imjanedeleon) on Nov 15, 2019 at 8:38pm PST

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Jane De Leon is set to play the dual role of Narda and her superhuman alter ego “Darna.” Her two immediate predecessors, former Darna portrayer Angel Locsin and Liza Soberano have stepped down during casting due to physical injuries. Locsin was nursing a hurt back at the time she declined, and Soberano after her sustained a complex finger-bone injury while filming ABS-CBN fantasy tele-serye “Bagani.” Star Cinema has remarked in production interviews last July with Inquirer for their “Darna” adaptation that Jane’s training involves functional workouts and stunt-work, the better to sell what are sure to be intense action and fighting sequences in the movie proper.

ABS-CBN and Star Cinema has yet to announce a release date for “Darna,” which is to be filmed at the TV network and film studio’s new sound stage facilities in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan.

Image courtesy of ABS-CBN Push.com