IT took quite a long while before any network to convince Megastar Sharon Cuneta to do a teleserye. But after Kapatid TV5 finally got her to say ‘yes,’ she has poured her heart and soul into a project that she said she feels great to be a big part of.
Sharon admitted that this is the first teleserye she has done in her whole career. Crediting director Joel Lamangan and headwriter Direk Joey Reyes as reasons for agreeing, she also said that the storyline is funny—but with sense and social relevance.
Originally billed as a “tawa-serye,” Madam Chairman is now pegged as “the first dramedy barangay series” which premiered last October 14.
In the series, Sharon plays Bebeth de Guzman, a simple and loving wife and mother whose life changes when she becomes barangay chairman of Barangay Sta. Clara. Her character had to shuffle her roles as head of her small community as well as head of her own family after her philandering OFW husband (played by Jay Manalo) leaves her for another woman (Regine Angeles) from a neighboring barangay.
“My character here is, in many ways, similar to Stella, the role I played in Crying Ladies. Maraming challenges sa buhay ni Bebeth, mas palo pang dumami nang naging barangay chairman na siya,” she revealed during the press conference.
Given a husband who even when he was an OFW was often not around, it’s an even bigger challenge for Bebeth to raise their children by herself.
Playing Sharon’s kids in Madam Chairman are Akihiro Blanco as Bubuy, her actor-wannabe son who seems to have inherited his father’s skirt-chasing ways, Shaira Mae Dela Cruz as Kakay, her kikay daughter; and Byron Ortile as Jun-Jun, the adorable son who seems to be a calming influence and ironically, the one person who puts things in the proper perspective for her.
Outside her family, she also has to deal with people like Jojo Campomanes (Bayani Agbayani), the son of the former barangay chairman who is constantly acheming to oust her; Jingle (Ciara Sotto), her ever supportive BFF; Mercy (Glenda Kennedy), the unsolicited adviser to her; Cita (Malou de Guzman), her religious friend and Hermes (Manny Castaneda), her tactless friend who is preoccupied with sportfests and beautification of their barangay.
Also providing additional support are Fanny Serrano, Tony Mabesa, Jim Pebanco, Nanette Inventor, Gilleth Sandico, Patani, Bearwin Meily and Toby Alejar.
In an interview with Showbiz Police and Pep.ph last October 12, Sharon shared how she relates to her character, Bebeth.
“I think all mothers naman have that core similarity,” she said. “Na, syempre, mahal mo sa buhay, kahit kapatid mo, anak mo, magulang mo, batra malapit sa iyo, kahit nag kaibigan, di ba—pay nasaktan sila, palo na kung anak mo, gusto mo ikaw na lang sana. Huwag na yung bata.”
Of course, Sharon is very protective of her daughter, actress/TV host KC Concepcion, especially against those who bash her on social media. However, the Megastar has pulled back a bit, explaining that KC is at the right age now, and can easily handle herself.
As for KC’s lovelife, she insists that she has no idea what is going on. She shared that she doesn’t usually pry into her daughter’s affairs, but she does sometimes ask her if she is happy or seeing someone.
“I think na ano lang…because it’s so…she knows that I get emotional and she’s old enough…so because I’m so protective of my children and I think it’s normal for a mother,” she said.
Going back to Madam Chairman, Sharon said that the script written by Direk Joey Reyes really psyched her up. “Ma’m wilma Galvante also made me undergo a barangay immersion that allowed me to understand my character and the barangay system even better.”
It also doesn’t hurt that the series is being helmed by award-winning director Joel Lamangan, who admitted that he is much involved in the affairs of his own barangay in Cavite. Asked if she had a hand in the selection of the cast members, Sharon said she was open to working with anyone and added that she has had a very good experience with her veteran and younger co-stars, including her TV children whom she personally bonded with.
“I make an effort to reach out to all of my co-actors. They’re all good actors naman. I found Patani in particular to be a very smart actress and I love our scenes together. As for my TV husband, I’m so happy to work with Jay Manalo as he is always the dramatic actor that I admire. Bukod sa hindi siya OA, ang galing pa niya sa comedy,” she said. She did admit, however, that she recommended her nephew, Chris Cuneta, for the show who was eventually cast as Kakay’s love interest.
As for what else can people expect from Madam Chairman, Sharon has only this to say: “I promise you, it will only get better every week.”