SHARON, ROBIN READY TO SHOOT
by Ricky F. Lo, The Philippine Star, September 13, 2001

Now several pounds lighter (and fast losing a lot more), Sharon Cuneta will start shooting her reteam-up with Robin Padilla, Viva Filmsí Pagdating ng Panahon (inspired by Aiza Seguerraís hit song), tomorrow in Laguna where the entire film will be shot.

Robin is also prepared for this his third encounter with The Megastar with whom he starred in Maging Sino Ka Man (1991) and Di Na Natuto (1993), both megahits directed by the now-ailing Eddie Rodriguez.

Pagdating ng Panahon, scripted by Mel del Rosario, is directed by five-months pregnant Joyce Bernal, Robinís favorite director who megged his last hit starrer (with Regine Velasquez), Kailangan Koíy Ikaw. It was also Joyce who directed another Viva hit, Pangako Ikaw Lang, topbilled also by Regine with Aga Muhlach.

In Pagdating, Sharon plays a member of a family of spinsters believed to be under a "curse" that any member who dares get married soon dies. Robin is a tuba gatherer, so in some scenes heíll be shown naked from the waist up climbing coconut trees.

In the end, according to Mel del Rosario, "Sharon will turn into a bombshell," so here and now Sharon is "begging" that that scene be shot much later when she shall have shed more poundage.

Pagdating is Sharonís first movie after giving birth to Frankie in December last year. Her last movie was the Star Cinema hit romance-drama Minsan Minahal Kita (shown in February last year) which reunited her with Richard Gomez.

Robin has been proving to be as much a box-office star in purely romance films as in straight action, making showbiz-watchers tag him as the local counterpart of Mel Gibson, one of the very few Hollywood stars (Clint Eastwood included) who have successfully shifted from action to the romance genre with even more success.

Last Monday night, Robin showed up at the story conference for Pagdating with a hairstyle befitting the Videoke King character heís playing in his Star Cinema movie (yes, Videoke King) with Pops Fernandez. Robin proudly reported that heís singing four songs in that movie, including Macho Guapito, two versions of Kumusta Ka and Achy Break a Heart.

Shooting of Pagdating will be rudely interrupted next month when Sharon goes to Japan for a 10-day singing stint (Oct. 5 to 15) while Robin is going to co-star in a US concert tour with Pops at about the same time.

Robin is near-ecstatic at the way surprises are turning up in his career.

"Tingnan níyo nga naman, akalain ko bang magkakaganito ang roles ko sa pelikula? Wala ta-lagang imposible kung gusto mong magbago," he says almost philosophically.

The line is almost an echo of Robinís new commercial for Asia Brewery, Inc. which encourages people to change for the better. Premiered on TV screens early September, Robinís Beer na Beer commercial leaves an inspiring message to young and old alike, "Magbago na tayo, mga ítol."

Incidentally, the new commercial is part of an old contract Robin had signed with the beer company. Like a real gentleman, Robin fulfilled his obligation to the company out of respect, which in turn also respected his faith while bringing the commercial to reality.