Sunshine: I'm only as good as my last project

MANILA, Philippines - After starring in a number of drama series, Sunshine Dizon knows when and how to deliver her role oh so effectively. One could sense the emotion in her every character.

You feel for her when she cries buckets as an underdog. You howl in anger upon seeing her scheming ways and dagger looks as contravida.

Yet, Sunshine insists, she still feels butterflies in her stomach every time a new project lands on her lap.

“I pray hard, calling almost all the saints for help because you’ll never know what will happen,” Sunshine says. “I never relied on my credentials. My mindset is I’m only as good as my last project. I cannot just say na napakahusay ko na; then everything will work out fine for me. There’s no way you can be complacent.”

Thus, playing Lorna in GMA 7’s remake of the Nora Aunor starrer Tinik Sa Dibdib is another challenging task for Sunshine not because she expects people to see her play the role as well as the Superstar did. Sunshine just hopes to interpret the character convincingly scene after scene. The drama series airs today and weekdays thereafter.

“Nobody can equal Nora Aunor. I just wish people will appreciate my own interpretation of the character at sana pag napanood ni Ate Guy matuwa naman siya sa akin,” Sunshine says.

In fact, she got a copy of the movie to prepare herself for the role, a far cry from the bitchy Erika character she did in All About Eve months ago. This time, Sunshine is stripped of any sign of glamor — she doesn’t wear heavy makeup but only wears simple clothes and sports no accessories at all. All she needs is to darken her skin a little to fit the role.

“It is but natural for us (actors) to pretend to be someone we are not. What’s tough with Lorna (her character) is sobra s’yang matiisin. Sometimes I just can’t help thinking na sobra naman siya parang ang tanga tanga na nya,” Sunshine answers when asked if she is more at ease playing the underdog.

Besides, Sunshine relates, there were some talks that Noranians are happy that she was chosen to play the part their idol originally portrayed. “Their approval also feels like winning an award,” she relates.

Does the new project cut short her hosting job in Unang Hirit (UH)?

“I just took a break because we need to tape a number of episodes but eventually I’ll be with UH again three times a week,” she avers.

Does the back-to-back airing of Sine Novela Presents Tinik sa Dibdib and Iza Calzado’s starrer Kaya Kong Abutin Ang Langit put pressure on Sunshine? What can she say if there are comparisons, ratings-wise?

“We used to do primetime and it’s our first time in Dramarama so I just hope and pray our shows will do well. It’s up to the people to judge but personally I think it (ratings) will not be an issue because we belong to the same network. Di kami magkalaban,” replies Sunshine.