Sharon Cuneta, Robin Padilla on reunion movie ‘Unexpectedly Yours’

MANILA, Philippines – Unexpectedly Yours marks the return of Sharon Cuenta and Robin Padilla to the big screen after 16 years. It tells the story of two former high school friends Patty (Sharon) and Cocoy (Robin) who find themselves back in each other’s lives 30 years later. Julia Baretto and Joshua Garcia also join the cast as Yanna, Patty’s daughter, and Jason, Robin’s nephew, respectively. 

During the movie’s press conference on November 25, Sharon said that Unexpectedly Yours easily became one of her favorites among the movies she’s done. Although they were given a limited time to film, Sharon promised that fans will get their money’s worth. 

“In case iniisip n’yo na hindi maganda ang kinalabasan, or may kulang kahit konti, dahil parang minadali… actually, it’s the complete opposite. I was averaging 3 hours of sleep a night for many weeks. All of that energy, lahat ng moment na gising kami dun namin ini-invest sa pelikula kasi nai-inspire ka sa mga eksena. Gising ka rin kasi nakakatuwa ‘yung pelikula. Nakakahiya na ‘di mo ibigay ‘yung best mo,” she said. 

(In case you’re thinking that the outcome won’t be good, or that it will be lacking something because it was rushed… actually, it’s the complete opposite. I was averaging 3 hours of sleep a night for many weks. All of that energy, all of the moments we were awake, we invested in the film becuase we were inspired by the scenes. We were awake because the movie made us happy. It would have been embarrassing if you didn’t give your best.)

“I’m so proud to say na ‘yung nakikita n’yo sa (what you saw in the) trailer, that is nothing compared to the movie. Nothing compared to the other scenes in the movie.”

Unexpectedly Yours writer Vanessa Valdez shared that they were delighted to present a story that has an unlikely lead – much like what they did with Ronaldo Valdez on Seven Sundays. As the story revolves around characters who are in their 50s, Vanessa wanted the audience to realize that falling in love can happen at any age. 

 

“Gen X and millennials magkaiba ang views sa mundo (they have different views of the world), sa love. I think that was the challenge. It was a beautiful opportunity to tell those love stories in one project. It could be instructive for both generation, actually for all generation,” Vanessa added.

A Sharon-Robin reunion 

“I always enjoy working with him. Robin is my favorite leading man,” Sharon said candidly when asked about her working relationship with Robin. 

Sharon and Robin last worked together in Pagdating ng Panahon in 2001. Judging by their dynamic, it seems that the two have remained close friends through the years. But no matter how long they’ve known each other, Robin said that he would always consider himself a fan of Sharon.  

“Sa’kin, walang pagbabago, ‘yun pong ako’y tagahanga pa rin n’ya. Idol ko s’ya. Fan naman ako talaga. ‘Pag nage-eksena kami lagi akong natutulala. Lagi kong sinasabi, ‘Sharon Cuneta, Sharon Cuneta.’ Nandun ho ako. ‘Di ho ako naka-alis sa fan mentality.”

(For me, nothing has changed, I’m still a fan of hers. She’s my idol. I’m really a fan of hers. Whenever we have a scene, I always end up gawking. I would always say, ‘Sharon Cuneta, Sharon Cuneta.’ I’m at that level. I never moved on from that fan mentality.)

He later added that playing an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) has always been one of his dream roles. 

“Nagampanan ko na ‘yung gusto ko, OFW. Seaman… Maganda para sa mga OFW kasi ang OFW iniisip nila ‘yung pamilya nila. Nakakalimutan na nila yung pag-ibig, kaya dito, di ko na ikukuwento, pero wala s’yang pinagarap na babae kundi si Patty. Ilang taon n’ya hinintay. Kaya nung nakita n’ya ‘yung babaeng hinahanap n’ya, ayaw n’ya nang pakawalan.”

(I’ve gotten the role I wanted, OFW. Seaman… this is nice movie for OFWs because OFWs think of their families. They tend to forget love, that’s why in this movie, I won’t divulge much, but he never had any other girl in mind except for Patty. He waited for so many years. That’s why when he saw the woman he’s been looking for, he didn’t want to let her go.)

On working with JoshLia 

“When I see Joshua and Julia on set, they’re so cute together. They make my day. Nakakatuwa silang panoorin (I enjoy watching them). I live vicariously through them sa set,” Sharon said of the Joshua Garcia and Julia Baretto love team. (READ: Sharon Cuneta’s advice to JoshLia tandem: ‘Treasure each other’)

Following the success of their film Love You to the Stars and Back, Joshua and Julia said they were grateful to be part of another Star Cinema project. The stars praised not only Sharon and Robin’s depth as actors but how they treated the staff and crew with humility.  

“You learn a lot. Not just acting-wise, but siguro ‘yung pakikisama nila sa buong staff, crew (how they bonded with the staff and crew). You see how they treat people sa set. Nakakuha talaga ‘yung mga staff at crew ng energy from the two of them. Kasi sila mismo ‘yung nagiging captain ng buong ship. Kapag sila may energy mas, nagkaka-energy lahat. So, they’re really good examples,” Julia explained.  

(The staff and crew were able get their energy from the two of them. Because they themselves are the captains of the ship. If they have energy, all of them have energy. So they’re really good examples.)

Unexpectedly Yours is directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina. – Rappler.com