It was originally aired in the Philippines by GMA Network daily on its primetime block. The series debuted on August 2, 2004, to lukewarm audience response. However, it became a sleeper hit, and together with Extra Challenge, another GMA Network's production, made the network edge over ABS CBN which had been the Philippines' leading network since the 1990s. These two shows created a domino effect for GMA Network's other shows, and thus it solidified its position as mega manila's number one network since 2004. The success of the series prompted GMA Network to make a spin-off - Encantadia.