Glaiza De Castro gets acting recognition for her performance in 'The Seed of Love'

Glaiza was one of the main characters in the 2003 Philippine adaptation of the South Korean drama 'Stairway To Heaven.' Here, she breathed life into the character of Eunice which launched her as an esteemed character actress. In the series, Eunice made the life of her stepsister, Jodi (Rhian Ramos), miserable as she takes away the latter's childhood friend and love of her life, Cholo (Dingdong Dantes), from her by orchestrating an accident that would separate the two permanently.

'Grazilda' is a 2010 GMA Telebabad series that shows the unheard story of Grazilda (portrayed by Glaiza de Castro), one of Cinderella's evil stepsisters, and how her life changed as she got banished by the Fairy Godmother into the mortal world. According to Glaiza, 'Grazilda' is the kind of story that excites her as it is totally different from hers. "Feeling ko mas na-e-excite ako sa mga gano'ng klaseng story na talagang hindi mo makikita sa normal na araw mo, mas na-e-excite ako sa mga ganong klaseng story [because] this is a different world."

From the tragic Binayaan, the actress-singer portrayed a musician who plays for a band in the 2012 drama musical series, 'Biritera.' Glaiza was paired with drama actor Dennis Trillo for the first time for the series that required her musical skills.

When it comes to her kontrabida roles, Glaiza's character in the local adaptation of hit 2008 Koreanovela 'Temptation of Wife' is on top of the list. In the soap opera, Glaiza played Heidi Fernandez, the ruthless best friend of Angeline, played by Marian Rivera. 'Temptation of Wife' follows Angelina who transforms from being the submissive wife to a cunning, feisty, and reformed woman to avenge herself against her husband, Marcel (played by Dennis Trillo), and best friend.

Who would forget Glaiza's first team-up with her fellow actress, Rhian Ramos, in the first lesbian series in the country, 'The Rich Man's Daughter?' The series remains a classic masterpiece that discusses the intersection of different cultures namely Filipino-Chinese traditions, arranged marriages, coming out in an ultraconservative family deeply embedded in tradition, the search for identity, and the role of women in such familial arrangements. 'The Rich Man's Daughter' follows Jade Tanchingco, played by Rhian, who is the favorite daughter of a wealthy Chinese-Filipino family that owns several businesses. At her brother's wedding, Jade meets the wedding coordinator, Althea Guevarra, played by Glaiza. The two have an immediate attraction and develop a close friendship which turns into a deep relationship. However, this bond threatens Jade's relationship with her traditional, patriarchal family.

Pirena is Glaiza's fiercest character yet. In the world of 'Encantadia,' Pirena is one of the four Sang'gres who guard the gems that hold the power to maintain peace and harmony in the land. As the eldest among the Sang'gres namely Amihan, Alena, and Danaya, Pirena is the keeper of the Gem of Fire. She is passionate and outspoken. The fiery young woman wishes to become the next queen of the diwatas and because of this, the sisters' strong bond is broken when the eldest Sang'gre discovers that she is unlike them. For Glaiza, playing the Pirena paved the way for her to explore and love fantasy more. 'Sobra kong na-enjoy yung 'Encantadia.' Iba 'yung character namin bilang aktor na makita mo 'yung sarili mo na ibang-iba, na masuot 'yung mga costumes na 'yun, na iba 'yung pananalita mo, may mga weapons kang ginamit, tsaka iba ang preparations naming lahat do'n. Sobra akong invested do'n sa character na 'yun," she shared.

Currently, Glaiza graces TV screens via the TV adaptation of 1988 opus, 'Nagbabagang Luha.' Here, she plays the seasoned actress Lorna Tolentino's role as Maita, a loving sister to her own lone sibling Cielo (Claire Castro) who causes her extreme smoldering tears of misery when the latter develops a relationship with Maita's husband, Alex (Rayver Cruz). Remakes, as expected, draw comparisons. When asked if it's a big deal for her to be compared with LT, here's what Glaiza has to say: “I try to see it as a challenge na okay, marami naging followers din 'yung movie but ang message for me is not to be complacent. So, tina-try ko as much as possible na, especially kapag remake, to make my own version of it kasi remake na nga 'yung story, e, so 'di naman necessarily 'yung mga characters, siyempre, nando'n 'yung backbone ng mga characters. Binigay sa 'yo 'yung background ng characters, so siguro bilang actor, ang challenge sa 'kin is to put my own flavor into it.”