SHARON FORGIVES ROBIN AND GETS A TORRID KISS
by Remy M. Umerez, Inquirer News Service, November 20, 2001

Mega-determination, discipline

MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta can also boast of mega-determination and mega-discipline.

Remember how she was able to shed excess pounds when she made a movie opposite Richard Gomez and immediately gained it back when she decided to have a baby?

After two years of full-time motherhood, Sharon faces the cameras again in "Pagdating ng Panahon," seemingly feeling light as a feather, thanks to her determination and discipline. It is her comeback movie for Viva as the outfit celebrates its 20th anniversary. It also marks her third team-up with Robin Padilla, a screen chemistry that has remained powerful even when both stars are married to other partners.

"Pagdating ng Panahon" was originally intended for Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, but Charlene's pregnancy got in the way.

Viva was toying with the idea of resurrecting the career of Aiza Seguerra, who eventually made a hit of the song "Pagdating ng Panahon." But Aiza decided to go with Mother Lily Monteverde instead of Viva's big boss Vic del Rosario. That's gratitude for Aiza, who as a child appeared in countless Regal movies.

The last film of Sharon and Robin together was "Di Na Natuto" in 1993.

Sharon now has only glowing words for her leading man as well as director Joyce Bernal. She can even joke now about the time she refused to talk to Robin on the set of "Di Na Natuto" for courting her when all along he was already committed to Liezl Sicangco, whom he married later.

"I have forgiven his unprofessionalism in the past," she says of Robin. "He had problems then and had no control of himself. The Robin of today is a changed man. He reports on the set ahead of me. He is there even before the cameras are set up.

"One thing I discovered about Robin, even before, he seems unaware that he is a celebrity. He mixes with anybody and his priority is making sure that his leading lady is always comfortable. He is now a very focused person and you can feel his sincerity.

"Sa tutoo lang, hindi ko inakalang titino siya," she adds.

As for director Bernal, with whom Sharon worked for the first time, she says: "She is good, creative and a fast worker. Considering her pregnant condition, I am truly amazed. We worked on the same wavelength. I told her to hurry up giving birth and I would be willing to shoulder the expenses so she could direct me in my next movie."

Torrid kiss

"Pagdating ng Panahon" is a feel-good movie. Sharon calls it a breath of fresh air in the industry that has been hit by the successive deaths of some of its members.

In the story written by Mel del Rosario, Sharon comes from a family of spinsters who seem to cast a bad spell on every suitor they entertain. Sharon bakes espasol and buko pie while Robin gathers tuba. They often clash, only to realize in the end that they can't live without each other.

Also in the cast are Rufa Mae Quinto, Amy Austria, Bernard Palanca, Rosemarie Gil, and Marissa Delgado. Christian Vazquez, the son in the "suportahan ta ka" TV commercial, is introduced.

The movie includes a scene in which Robin plants a torrid kiss on Sharon. When informed beforehand about the scene, Sharon wanted to have it faked but she eventually agreed do it, convinced by Direk Joyce.

"You see, in the movie, I spread a rumor that Robin is gay," says Sharon. "When it reaches him, he is furious and to prove that he is not gay he kisses me hard. The story really calls for it. It took us only two takes and there was absolutely no malice."

The all-time box-office queen reiterates that her family will always rank first with her. She says she is extremely blessed having raised a good daughter like KC Concepcion who, she says, obviously with a big sigh of relief, is not keen on making movies.

"I am really glad she is not, lest people think that we would come as a package deal," the proud mom says. "She is more into singing and the theater. I allowed her to do a commercial and a musical play because it was vacation time. She is interested in doing Shakespheare on stage. Right now, her priority is her studies. I want her to pursue her studies in Europe."

Sharon says she wants to have another baby, preferably a son, in 2002.

And be as round as a balloon again, we kid her.

"Eh 'di magpapayat uli," she snaps back.