MANILA — Showbiz veteran Sharon Cuneta is taking on a darker, more layered character in “Honor Thy Mother,” hoping to show audiences a different side of her acting.
The Filipino screen icon plays Diana Aragon in the family drama series, which also stars Barbie Forteza, Khalil Ramos and John Estrada. “Honor Thy Mother” premieres Septembe 11 on Prime Video.
During a special screening Tuesday, Cuneta drew applause for several of her dramatic scenes.
"Sa lahat ng Sharonians na nag-aabang nito na-miss ko na kayo. Ito na 'yung sabay-sabay nating panoorin. Thank you, thank you so much," Cuneta told ABS-CBN News.
Considered one of the top dramatic actresses in the industry, Cuneta hopes to deliver a new kind of acting performance, completely different from her previous characters.
"I hope nagawa ko na in a way na kapag nagbi-breakdown si Diana ay iba sa pagbi-breakdown sa ibang projects ko, kasi iba 'yung character niya. Noong bata-bata siya medyo softer siya, hanggang sa naging parang ice 'yung puso. Pero maraming layers, kumplikado 'yung istorya niya at 'yung story naming mag-ina sa show. Mahirap lahat," Cuneta said.
Dubbed as the country's Megastar, Cuneta said can relate to her character in the new series. She also said viewers can somehow connect with the show's characters and story itself.
"Nakaka-relate ako sa kanya nang hindi naman kagrabe 'yung dinimand sa akin. So, kung ano 'yung kinalabasan ng character niya 'di hamak na mas strong and mas cold kaysa sa akin sa tunay na buhay, kasi iba 'yung dinaanan niya, mas marami. Malaki ang responsibilidad niya na parang siya lang. So, oo, naka-relate ako. I think makaka-relate dito na iba't ibang intensity. 'Yung pinagdadaanan nila hindi man parehong-pareho kay Diana ay mayroon at mayroon kang mapupulot na 'ay medyo ganyan ang nangyayari sa akin kahit iba yung sitwasyon.' So I hope makatulong din na maka-inspire," Cuneta said.
Cuneta shared how happy, proud and grateful she is to work with her co-stars Forteza, Khalil Ramos and John Estrada.
Directed by Onat Diaz and Dolly Dulu , the series also stars Mercedes Cabral, Criza Taa, Tonton Gutierrez, RK Bagatsing, and more.
Asked what they want to impart to the audience, Cuneta replied: "I'm very proud of this whole serye hindi lang po dahil sa character ko pero sa lahat po nang performances namin. Lahat kami, hindi lang kaming apat dito kung hindi 'yung iba pang kasama namin sa ginawa ng direktor namin sina direk Onat Diaz, direk Dolly Dulu. Parang 'yung pag-aalaga sa amin at pag-aalaga namin sa mga ginagawa namin yun ang gusto naming makita lahat."
"I hope that you will be able to appreciate the hard work that we put into it because it's a nice, different story and it's very well made. Hindi lang kami 'yung nagsisikap na okay kami, kung hindi lahat nang gumagalaw sa sari-sariling department. Ang ganda nung craft sana po magustuhan niyo," Cuneta added.
"Honor Thy Mother," which is a collaboration between ABS-CBN Studios and GMA Network, marks Cuneta's second project with Prime Video, following the 2024 hit drama "Saving Grace."