GMA-7's newest telefantasya series titled Dwarfina may prompt some to think of the classic fairy tale Thumbelina or Tom Thumb.
While the sight of a thumb-size human being is sure to invoke images of the two known figures in children's literature, the character of Dwarfina was actually inspired by native folklore.
Filipinos' longstanding fascination with duwendes or dwarfs fuelled Dwarfina's creation.
Duwendes are believed to be invisible little creatures who reside in houses, trees, and mounds. They are said to be either nice or mischievous toward humans, and have the ability to bring good or bad luck.
THE WORLD OF KALIBUT-AN. Dwarfina follows the story of Yna (Heart Evangelista)—a girl who is barely the size of a finger.
Yna's mother named Marissa (Janice de Belen) accidentally burns a mound that houses a community of dwarfs.
The unfortunate incident causes the death of the heir to the throne of the kingdom of the dwarfs, thus enraging Abiana (Jackie Lou Blanco), who is the queen of the empire.
To exact revenge, Abiana puts a curse on Marissa's child so she can take the baby as the replacement for her dead child.
Abiana steals the newborn Dwarfina and presents it to the community as their princess, much to the surprise of the envious dwarf Romera (Angelika dela Cruz), who is the one actually responsible for the death of Abiana's daughter.
Abiana's husband Calixto (Jestoni Alarcon), however, is filled with guilt upon seeing how much Marissa and Kardo (Cris Villanueva) love their child. The royal duwende couple decide to return Dwarfina to her family, while keeping everything as a secret from their constituents.
Despite her physical shortcoming, Yna grows up surrounded by the love and support of her family and friends, especially her best friend Lyndon (Dennis Trillo).
Lucille (Iwa Moto), the adopted daughter of Marissa and Kardo, becomes envious of the attention being showered upon Yna. Lucille's jealousy drives her to throw her stepsister into the river.
The incident marks the start of Yna's life in the supernatural world and her formal reign as princess of Kalibut-an.
Yna will get to meet Elvin (Will Devaughn), Nuno Umberto (Tony Mabesa), Hulyano (Emilio Garcia), Gwendina (Pauleen Luna), Duwentukin (Mico Aytona), and Camila (Vaness del Moral) in the world of the dwarfs.
But for how long can Calixto and Abiana keep Yna's real identity a secret from everyone? In the event that she finds out, will Dwarfina choose to remain in the kingdom as a princess or will she rather come back to the human world as a simple yet odd individual?
Mike Tuviera directs this new Kapuso primetime offering based on a story written by Aloy Adlawan.
Heart Evangelista said that she welcomes the opportunity to appear in a fantasy series after doing a lot of drama-romance shows in the past.
"It's refreshing," she said. "Kumpara sa mga drama soaps, ganyan, eto, draining. Para kang naglalaro."
Catch the debut of Dwarfina on Monday, January 10, after Jillian: Namamasko Po on GMA Telebabad.
Viewers in the United States, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific can watch Dwarfina beginning January 12 on GMA Pinoy TV.