Sharon Cuneta’s advice to the next Darna

MANILA, Philippines — Some netizens say it is time to retire Darna, the super heroine who flew her way to Filipino moviegoers’ hearts for decades. Sharon Cuneta disagrees.

“The Voice Teens” coach is all for reviving the iconic character and passing her legacy to the next generation.

Sharon Cuneta has had her fill of playing Darna as a curvy 20-year-old who had a cameo as the super heroine back in 1986’s “Captain Barbel” (Viva Films).  

Now, it is time to look for the next young one who can play the taxing role and look smashing in the body-hugging costume with a revealing cleavage and a thick belt around her waist.

“Darna is such a strong, strong brand. It’s a wonderful franchise with a sentimental value to us Pinoys. If they (the Americans have Wonder Woman), we have our Darna,” she said.

Not everyone can play Darna, of course. Sharon thinks it is only for the physically fit, because the action scenes are taxing.

Back then when she played the role, there were no invisible wires to lift Darna in the air. Sharon recalled how her director, the late Leroy Salvador, asked her to lie down, head first, while a long piece of iron held her tight on both sides of her body. 

The pain she felt all over made Sharon ask her producer, the late Mina del Rosario, “Can I switch to drama? I can shed five buckets of tears if needed.”

Sharon thinks all the would-be Darnas on the list (Liza Soberano, Nadine Lustre, Jessy Mendiola and Pia Wurtzbach, among others) are fit for the role. And she will be happy for the next person chosen for the role.

RELATED: Who's your bet to be the next Darna?

Sharon takes her hat off to Angel Locsin, who played Darna on TV in 2005.

“She’s tough but feminine. She’s also curvaceous.”

But Angel cannot reprise the role anymore because of damage in her spine. It’s time the role is passed on to the new generation.

RELATED: It's final: Angel Locsin will no longer play Darna

Sharon offers this piece of advice to whoever gets the prized role.

“Darna is a responsibility. Take it seriously. Huwag kang umarte sa shooting  (Don’t be a diva during shooting). Mahiya ka kay Darna (Be ashamed before Darna).”

Meanwhile, Sharon is excited to be back as the most senior coach, this time for ABS-CBN’s singing reality show,  “The Voice Teens” (with Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo).

“I’m relaxed. It’s nice to be back with people you’ve worked with,” Sharon said.