BAGUIO CITY — The cool breeze fails to calm Sheryl Cruz down, as she fumes at the terrified Sharlene San Pedro. Sheryl’s eyes stare sharply while she mercilessly blurts out heartbreaking words to the girl, who is already on the verge of tears.
Why is Sheryl so mean at Sharlene? Is she getting too hard on kids these days? Oops, don’t judge her too quickly. Sheryl is just trying to be like Miss Minchin with Sharlene portraying the role of Sarah on the first taping day of the remake of the cartoon series Princess Sarah.
The Miss Minchin role came Sheryl’s way after she showed her “mean bone” so convincingly on ABS-CBN’s Lovespell: Cindy-Rella. Her strong presence makes her perfect for the role.
“I didn’t expect this project will come my way. Blessings keep on coming. That’s why I believe that when it rains, it really pours,” Sheryl says.
Indeed, Sheryl has a lot to be thankful for. She has been busy since she came back from an eight-year respite in acting to be with husband Norman Bustos and daughter Ashley in the US. She’s one of the few actresses who can do soaps for the two giant networks one after the other.
Although often typecast as a contravida, Sheryl is not the type who doesn’t consider the lasting effect her role may have on televiewers specifically the kids. As a mom herself, she doesn’t want to give an impression that she is cruel especially now when young televiewers get affected and fail to draw the line between the reel and real.
“I have to know first the basis of the character’s anger. The Miss Minchin character is already familiar to me, and there is an explanation why she hates Sarah so much. It justifies my being bad in the story,” Sheryl says.
This way, Sheryl won’t feel uncomfortable every time she has “cruel” scenes with Sharlene or any of the other kids who become the targets of her “anger.”
Sharlene, on the other hand, will prove Sheryl is different from the many contravida characters she portrayed in front the cameras.
“Tita Sheryl is kind and nice to everybody. I’m not scared of her,” Sharlene says.
The eight-year-old admits she’s lucky that at a young age she gets to work with actors who can give her a tip or two in acting — whether comedy or drama, bida or contravida roles.
Does Sharlene have a hard time playing Sarah?
“No. I’ve watched the cartoon version. I’m just adjusting so I can have more finesse like Sarah does. Dati po kasi laging batang mahirap ang papel ko at parang siga,” Sharlene says.
Sheryl, too, is familiar with the story and assures the teleserye will be as interesting as new twists and turns are added to make it more endearing to all types of viewers.
Televiewers will be treated to colorful 18th century costumes and scenic backgrounds. Song and dance numbers will delight every televiewer’s heart. Sheryl herself can’t wait to hear the operatic version of her Mr. Dreamboy which the teleserye think tanks plan to do.
“I get to sing and do some production numbers with the kids. I love singing next to acting,” Sheryl states.
In fact, Sheryl will be singing a cut for an OFW album which composer Bernadette Gutierrez plans to come up with.
“Coming from a musical family, I also want to sing once in a while,” Sheryl says.
Does she also plan to revive her singing career?
“Yes but it’s not possible for me to do it right now. Maybe when the right time comes,” Sheryl says.
Princess Sarah also stars Ai-Ai delas Alas, Albert Martinez, Matt Evans, Irish Fullerton, Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi Candy Pangilinan, Melissa Ricks, Eunice Lagusad, Andrew Muhlach and Angel Sy. It will premiere on Nov. 12.