MANILA, Philippines — Produced by Star Cinema, the film “Three Words to Forever” was shot entirely in Ormoc City.
“Megastar” Sharon Cuneta admitted feeling awkward staying in a place where she did not know anyone but co-star and ex-boyfriend Richard Gomez, and where she was far from her family.
Richard did not understand this at first. But he eventually empathize with Sharon and made her feel comfortable by fetching her at the airport at 6 a.m., even though he lacked sleep. They shared coffee and doughnuts together.
Twenty years of marriage to Leyte representative Lucy Torres-Gomez is proof that the Ormoc City Mayor has what it takes to advise young people thinking of taking the plunge. He acts every inch a man in love, as he described his better half as a very good wife and mother to their only child, Juliana, 18.
So when he gives pieces of advice about getting married, you know he is speaking from the heart. The guy knows what he is talking about.
“If you’re not 100 percent sure about getting married, don’t,” he told everyone at the presscon of “Three Words to Forever,” his reunion film with Sharon. “It won’t get any better.”
The commitment, this happily-married man stressed, must be forever.
Sharon, who was seated beside her former boyfriend at the presscon, agreed. She herself is happily married to Sen. Francis Pangilinan.
Richard also noted that it seems so easy to get married these days. So he tells his friends to make sure they are fully committed to their would-be partners before tying the knot.
The actor-politician confessed he was “super wild” during his younger days, while he and Sharon, then in their early 20s, were dating.
But he put those days behind him, and lives a quiet life with his family in posh Forbes Park, Makati.
As for being a good father, Richard said he is raising Juliana the way his paternal grandmother raised him as a boy. Richard’s late grandma acted as his mother and father since the actor’s estranged parents migrated to the US in 1977.
It is to his grandmother’s credit that Richard became, in Sharon’s own words, “a person you can easily forgive because he’s a good guy.”
Turns out Sharon is not alone. Even the drivers in Ormoc, said Richard and Sharon’s co-star Liza Lorena, like their boss.
Richard played gracious host to her, Sharon, Kathryn Bernardo, Joross Gamboa, and his other co-stars in Ormoc. As host, he asked his staff in the tourism office to take his co-stars around the city and enjoy its sights.
Richard added that he is grateful to Star Cinema, the film’s producer, for shooting the film there, since it allowed him to fulfill his duties as mayor in-between shooting scenes for the family movie.
“Three Words to Forever” opens November 28 in cinemas nationwide.