Sharon honors FPJ with Ang Probinsyano role

It was a “no-brainer” for Megastar Sharon Cuneta to join the star-studded cast of FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, the country’s longest-running action-drama series which is now on its sixth year.

She immediately said yes when the role was offered to her, explaining during a digital media conference on Tuesday, “Sino ba yung ayaw maging parte ng Ang Probinsyano?”

Her only concern was, “Paano kaya gumawa ng teleserye every day? I was used to doing movies in the past and this is a very huge show. It’s been No. 1 for six years.”

Topbilled by Coco Martin as Cardo Dalisay, Ang Probinsyano is Sharon’s first Kapamilya teleserye.

Nevertheless, it was “easy” for her to accept the part, “in spite of the pandemic lockdown” and go for a lock-in taping, because her family is “very excited” for her as well.

“Ang buong household namin, hindi lang yung pamilya ko, pati ang mga kasambahay. I am very thrilled to be part of this,” shared Sharon.

Besides, the biggest factor why she took the role was because the show is the late Fernando “Da King” Poe Jr.’s (FPJ) legacy, her “best, best friend in the business.”

“This is our tribute to him so I am honored to be part of the show,” said Sharon.

Likewise, she recalled some of her memorable experiences with the late actor and director. They fondly called each other klatput.

“When we were shooting Kahit Konting Pagtingin Part 1, nasa field ako, wearing a wedding gown, we were taping the entire night, and sumilip siya sa camera. He said, ‘Dali, nandiyan na yung klatput.’ I asked, ‘What’s klatput?’ He answered, ‘It’s the sun, it can stand for and mean anything.’ Tapos nag-stick na,” she recounted.

“’Yan yung ninong ni KC (Concepcion) na nagturo na mag-tong-its and mag-pusoy. Kasama ko si KC sa set ng Kahit Konting Pagtingin Part 2,” she added about her memories with FPJ. The Megastar also recalled her late-night phone calls with him.

She was in the middle of taping a music video at dawn when FPJ called her up out of nowhere, “‘Klatput, punta ka dito. Sige na, kasi nagyayabang ako.’ Alam mo, where he made me go? Malapit sa Sto. Domingo church. There was a sari-sari store, ‘yung lola na nagtitinda ‘dun, suki niya. Then he said, ‘Sabi sa inyo, kilala ko si Sharon. Ayan napapunta ko dito…’ Uminum lang ako ng softdrinks and then went back to taping (laughs).”

“He was a good person, humble, kind. Nakakatawa. Pag umiinum siya ng beer, antok na antok na kami, lahat nakapaligid, kala mo nakakatulog, biglang pagtayo mo, he would say, ‘Saan ka pupunta?’” she added.

FPJ would also visit Sharon on set and remind her leading men — Robin Padilla and Rudy “Daboy” Fernandez — to be gentlemen and take good care of her.

No wonder he was called “Da King,” said the 55-year-old star. “I also learned how to deal with people because of him. Iba ‘yung persona niya. He is the King of the Philippine Cinema. Iba pag nakasama mo siya bilang tao. Very humble. The biggest stars that I’ve worked with are the most humble. ‘Yung mga may ere, hindi ko na nakikita ngayon (laughs).” She likened FPJ to the late “King of Comedy” Dolphy as an “epitome of humility.”

Sharon also cited FPJ as a “father, friend, brother and protector” — all rolled into one. “Ang sarap sumbungan kasi alam mong FPJ siya eh. Pag may umapi sayo, alam mong to the rescue siya. He is like a knight in shining armor to all of us… He is like the head of the family in showbiz.”

Meanwhile, what can we expect from her character in the series? Will she be Cardo’s friend or foe?

“New image? Sorry, I’m bringing you back (the old) Sharon (laughs). ‘Yung nakasanayan niyo pero older and wiser. Tapos napakumplikado ng backstory di ba. Meron pang flashback ito. Napakalalim po ng storya ng panggagalingan ng character ko. I’m excited to do anything they asked me to do, ‘wag lang mag-bold. Hahaha! Kasi parang hindi prepared ang public sa akin,” she quipped.

Sharon had previously worked with big action stars like FPJ, Daboy, Bong Revilla and Robin, to name a few, and now Coco.

And what can she say about Coco’s performance as Cardo? “FPJ is a totally different star and Coco is totally different although binuhay niya si Cardo dito. Coco gave Cardo his own touch.”

“May dating na Coco touch, iba naman siyempre kay FPJ. Very proud ako sa ginawa ni Coco. Very grateful to him for honoring FPJ,” she added.

Sharon was warmly welcomed by her co-actors in the series in a video greeting who are excited to work with her including Michael de Mesa, Lorna Tolentino, Ara Mina, Rosanna Roces, Rowell Santiago and direk Coco.

(Catch FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, CineMo, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, iWantTFC, WeTV, and iflix.)