In the said series, Sunshine will be working with Angelika dela Cruz, Jolina Magdangal, Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes and new kapuso star Lauren Young.
“I am very excited and I can assure the audience that this show is going to be very beautiful: maganda ang concept, maganda ang story,” Sunshine said in an interview during the photo shoot for the said series.
According to Sunshine, she was just waiting for the right timing when the project was offered to her.
“It has always been at the back of mind naman e — that if something good comes along, I will accept it. This project is something that I am really looking forward to. Siguro tama lang talaga yung timing. This one came at the right time,” she said.
“The story itself convinced me to accept the job. When they laid down the storyline, I was really moved at saka, siyempre, mother-daughter relationship, straight drama, so it was appealing for me,” she added.
Sunshine, who is a mother of two in real life, will be portraying as Lauren’s mom in the series. Asked whether she has no problems portraying mother roles, Sunshine said she doesn’t mind.
“Okay lang sa akin. I did that naman before with ‘Bakekang’. Ang pag-aartista wala naman ‘yan sa edad or whatever; you’re just playing a character,” explained the actress.
When they were younger, Sunshine and Angelika – like many artists – were always compared because of their bida vs. kontrabida roles in their past shows. Are they rivals in real life?
“Of course not. In fact, I am very happy to be working again with Angelika [dela Cruz]. Siguro let’s not call it rivalries, hindi na yata uso ‘yon. We’re both mothers and married na. Siguro sa mga bagets na lang yung mga rivalries na ‘yan. We don’t need to be bothered about those things anymore,” said Sunshine.
Sunshine admits that she has yet to get used to (again) to the hectic schedule of being a celebrity and she hopes that despite the tough work ahead, she will still have time for her daughter who is turning two years old in April and son who is turning one in June.
“They’re doing good and maayos din naman yung pagkakagawa ng schedule nito [her program] – three times a week lang ang shoot. GMA naman is very considerate of my situation, of our situation. Alam naman nila na may pamilya na kami. Everything is smooth kaya I’m very happy,” she said.
Although she has two kids now, Sunshine admits that compared to her being an actress, being a mom is still a tougher job.
“It’s very scary and at the same time exciting. Every day is a learning process; marami kang nadidiscover na bago sa anak mo. But at the end of the day, it’s very fulfilling. I think it’s the greatest thing that ever happened to me. Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang pagiging mommy ko. I can give up fame and fortune but not my children,” she said.
In “Mundo Mo’y Akin,” Sunshine plays the role of Perlita Mendoza a simple woman who, although deprived of a beautiful appearance, has a kind heart and an adorable character. The role is quite similar to her role in the now defunct series, “Bakekang” but Sunshine hopes viewers won’t associate the two since their stories are very much different.
“We’re very careful na sana hindi ma-compare sa ‘Bakekang’ ang ‘Mundo Mo’y Akin’ kasi sa storyline naman sobrang magkaiba yung dalawa. It just so happened na ‘yung story is also a battle between aesthetic beauty and inner beauty,” she explained.
It is the actress’ first time to work with teen stars Alden Richards and Louise delos Reyes and she is very excited.
“I haven’t worked with Alden and Louise in the past but I’ve heard a lot of great things about them and I am looking forward to working with them on the show,” she said.
Sunshine is optimistic that “Mundo Mo’y Akin” will surpass viewers’ expectations.
“Maganda ito. Ito ‘yung hinahanap ninyo kung saan makikiiyak kayo, makikisimpatiya kayo, etc. This is straight and heavy drama,” she said.
The actress is grateful to her fans for continuing to support her through the years.
“I’m very flattered. I think lahat naman ng artista ‘yun ang gustong mangyari sa kanila: na at the end of the day may naiwan ka sa mga manonood at sa mga fans mo. I think that should always be the goal. Nagpapasalamat ako that even if I took the backseat for a while, nandiyan pa rin yung mga supporters ko. I feel very blessed,” she said.
“Mundo Mo’y Akin” premieres on March 18 on GMA Telebabad. It is directed by “One True Love” director Andoy Ranay.
