Another cast member from the original Encantadia is set to appear in the requel tonight, February 27.
Phytos Ramirez joins the GMA-7 telefantasya to portray the grown-up mortal Paopao, the former keeper of the fifth gem or the “Brilyante ng Diwa.”
May magbabalik! Abangan ang pagganap ni Phytos Ramirez sa minahal nating character na si Paopao!#EncantadiaKapahamakan#Encantadia2016 pic.twitter.com/qlMXZvQtFQ
— Encantadia 2016 (@GMAEncantadia) February 27, 2017
Paopao first appeared in the series as a young mortal boy who was kidnapped by the Bandidos through the “Lagusan ng Pagkaligaw.” Back then, he was played by newbie child actor Yuan Francisco.
When Paopao discovered the fifth gem, he used it to save Amihan (Kylie Padilla), who was almost killed by Hagorn (John Arcilla) and Pirena (Glaiza de Castro).
Everytime Paopao engages in a fight using the gem, he transforms into an older guy who is actually the "kambal-diwa" of the gem. The "kambal-diwa" was played by Rodjun Cruz.
Paopao remained as the keeper of the new gem until Hagorn stole it from him.
Later on, Amihan decided to return Paopao to his family in the mortal world which is why he did not appear any more in succeeding episodes.
Ang cutie patootie na si Paopao, teenager na! Abangan ngayong gabi sa Encantadia!#EncantadiaKapahamakan#Encantadia2016 pic.twitter.com/ZcksC7sP1S
— Encantadia 2016 (@GMAEncantadia) February 27, 2017
In the current episodes of Encantadia, Cassiopea (Solenn Heussaff) is in search of new keepers of the five gems.
This is because the Etherians Avria (Eula Valdes) and Andora (Rochelle Pangilinan) appeared again in Encantadia and stole the fifth gem.
Hagorn and Lilasari’s (Diana Zubiri) daughter Deshna (Inah De Belen) was chosen by the fire gem to be its new keeper.
In tonight’s episode, Cassiopea is set to go to the mortal world to look for the grown-up Paopao since he was chosen again to be the keeper of the fifth gem.
Encantadia 2005 as young anthony pic.twitter.com/g6uXwjTezl
— phytosramirez (@phytosramirez) February 25, 2017
It may be recalled that in the original Encantadia, Phytos played the younger version of Anthony, portrayed back then by Mark Herras.
In this 2016 version, Anthony was portrayed by Migo Adecer but he no longer appears in the requel.
On his Twitter account, Phytos posted a photo of one of his scenes in the 2005 version.
Encantadia 2005 as young anthony pic.twitter.com/g6uXwjTezl
— phytosramirez (@phytosramirez) February 25, 2017
As a teen actor, Phytos got roles in ABS-CBN’s remake of its originally-produced TV shows Mara Clara (2010) and Mula sa Puso (2011), using the name Phytos Kyriacou.
In 2014, he transferred to GMA to do kontrabida roles in the teleseryes Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw (2014), Let The Love Begin (2015), Once Again, and Oh My Mama! (2016).