darna (character)

The eponymous superheroine and main protagonist of the Filipino comic book series Darna, which has been adapted into multiple movies and TV series in the Philippines.

She is the superheroine alter-ego of a young girl or woman named Narda. And depending on the adaptation or comic book universe, they can either be the same or separate characters from each other.

To transform into Darna, Narda swallows a pebble-sized magic white stone (with Darna's name engraved onto it. That is how she learned the superheroine's name) first and then shouts her superheroine alter-ego's name. To change back into Narda, Darna shouts her human alter-ego's name instead and after changing back, Narda regurgitates the white stone she swallowed.

Darna's superhero costumes follow a specific but iconic design (though those has some minor differences from other series or adaptations): she usually wears a red bikini (with either a strapless bra or strapless bikini top) or shorts with a gold star in each brassiere cup; red helmet with a gold winged, v-fin-like, medallion on its center (the medallion may or may not be encrusted with ruby); gold bracelets; a golden medallion belt with a loincloth in the middle; and red boots.

Darna's superpowers are mostly similar to Superman's, such as super strength, super speed, flight, super senses, and nigh invulnerability. In some versions, if the gold winged medallion on her helmet has a ruby encrusted onto it, she can use it as a powerful weapon by firing a red laser beam from it.

Darna is widely considered as a Filipino cultural icon and the most celebrated superhero character in the Philippines.