Sharon’s major throwback moment in new film

MANILA, Philippines — Sharon Cuneta had a major throwback moment — or make that moments — while doing her new film, Star Cinema’s Three Words To Forever.

First, it’s because she has been paired again with Richard Gomez after a 15-year gap. They portray a married couple secretly dealing with deep-seated issues in their 25-year union just as their daughter, played by Kathryn Bernardo, plans to tie the knot and wants to be “happily married” like them. The family-centric film is directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.

The megastar previously did five movies with Richard with the last one, Walang Kapalit, way back in 2003. Also, it’s no secret that they dated when they were very young ­— particularly in their early 20s — for about, by Sharon’s own admission during a recent presscon, “five to six years, on and off, but mostly on.”

Sharon told the media that in her first meeting and shooting days with Richard for Three Words To Forever, they both felt like strangers to each other. “I have to say, at first, I was so afraid. My feeling was like, I didn’t know him. Ba’t nag-bi-Bisaya ito? Kapampangan ako (laughs). But kidding aside, I was really, very nervous, I told Inang (Olivia Lamasan, managing director of Star Cinema). I was crying to Inang Olive, ‘I don’t know if I can do this because I don’t know him, he’s not my Richard anymore,’ the Richard that I knew then, that’s what I meant, kasi ang tagal na dumaan (because a long time has passed). (And she was like) No, anak, ikaw naman… Inang was part of it from Day 1.”

In the film directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, Richard and Sharon play husband and wife secretly dealing with major issues in their 25-year union, just as their daughter (played by Kathryn Bernardo) gets
engaged and plans to be ‘happily married’ like them

While she didn’t expect Richard would someday become a mayor (of Ormoc City, thus the fluency in Bisaya), Sharon always knew the actor would become successful because he was prudent with his finances.

She said, “Now that he’s so happy with (wife) Lucy (Torres-Gomez) and (daughter) Juliana, my god, I always knew that he was going to be successful kasi bata palang kami masinop na yan. His investments were paintings, houses (while) the others would prioritize sports cars. When we were dating, at first L300 lang… then (I remember) shooting in Forbes Park, Oras-Oras, Araw-Araw (1989), he was so happy, ‘Meron na akong Nissan Sentra, di ka na aakyat, di ka na hahakbang.’ Now he’s living in Forbes Park, ako naman umalis (and moved to) Dasma.”

“The years have been good to us, he’s aged gracefully,” she also said.

Another throwback moment for Sharon was working with Liza Lorena. “I’m so happy that I’ve worked again with my original mommy in Dear Heart, my Tita Liza,” referring to her first-ever feature film in 1981 when she was 15 years old.

During the presscon, Sharon jokingly asked the veteran actress if she had noticed that she wasn’t that talkative to her “because I remember Gabby kaya ayoko. Joke lang,” referring to her Dear Heart love team partner and eventual ex-husband Gabby Concepcion.

“I’m reminded of when I was young. My god, I used to be Kath and Tita Liza used to be me. But (Three Words To Forever) turned out to be beautiful, one of my best movies I believe so, one of the best stories I had the privilege to act out in a movie.”

Sharon seemed thoroughly impressed with Kathryn’s worth ethic and acting as well. A trailer for the film showed that she has an intense confrontation scene with the 22-year-old actress. On her wish list is another movie with Kathryn in the same vein as Anak, the 2000 family drama starring Vilma Santos and Claudine Barretto.

With the film’s themes on family and marriage, Sharon was also asked to share her thoughts on raising children and having a daughter, KC Concepcion, who’s now old and independent enough to marry.

“It’s embarrassing to praise myself (laughs) but I think the proof would be in my four children and the way I raised (them), especially my eldest (KC) because I was a single parent for many years. And she’s alright and I can’t wait to have grandchildren,” she said, adding jokingly, “because if she won’t get married yet, then I might as well get myself pregnant again so there will be a baby at home (laughs)...” 

Now showing in cinemas, Three Words To Forever stars (from left) Joross Gamboa, Richard, Sharon, Kathryn, Liza Lorena and Tommy Esguerra

She continued, “My three other children are doing wonderfully, very close to me. We’re really a unit. We eat together when daddy (Sen. Kiko Pangilinan) comes home. We’re all looking forward to dinnertime when I’m home. We help each other out. In fact, Kiko has done more when it comes to the kids because the schedule in showbiz is different. When I’m not in a movie, I have them all to myself.”

Sharon, however, feels that it was KC who got somehow shortchanged when it came to a parent’s time and attention while growing up. “Up to this day, I carry that with me. It’s very heavy in my heart. But she had the best of my youth and she will always have me whenever she needs me. I raised her to be independent. And then, she taught herself to become much more independent so sometimes, you wish that she would be a bit more like Frankie, Miel or Miguel and need you a little more.”

Asked if she’s also ready for a wedding in her own family (with the 33-year-old KC being hounded by rumors of engagement to her French beau, filmmaker/businessman Pierre Plassart), Sharon said that she can’t wait for it happen and is very much ready to dress for that occasion.  

It appears though that her eldest is taking her sweet time. “Relaxed lang yung anak ko. I’m happy about it seriously because she’s not in any rush, she’s not pressured and she’s just enjoying every moment of happiness that she spends with Pierre (Plassart).”

“He’s so perfect for her,” Sharon added. “I’m very happy for her.” 

(Three Words To Forever is now showing in cinemas.)