MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta is being eyed to play the wife of Gringo Honasan in the bio-pic of the retired Philippine Army officer, essayed by action star-politician Robin Padilla, with director Lester Dimaranan at the helm.

Sharon and Robin last worked together in ‘ Unexpectedly Yours’, with Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto in 2017. A number of fans will certainly be thrilled if ever another screen reunion of Sharon and Robin will push through.

“Seriously, malaki ang maiaambag ni Ma’am Sharon if ever matuloy na makasama siya dito sa the Gringo project,” Robin said. “Alam natin na magaling siyang actress. Parang gusto ko nga sabihin kay direk Lester na unahin na ang mga eksena namin (ni Sharon).”

The actor-politician got an important acting project to play the true-to-life role of Gringo Honasan. The bio-pic started filming second week of June in Baguio at the site of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), where Honasan graduated.

Gringo joined the stellar batch of the famous Class ’71, where Ping Lacson, Edgar Aglipay, Victor Batac also belong.

“Robin has always been on top of the list to play Gringo,” earlier disclosed by lawyer-producer Ferdie Topacio. “But we had reservations because he might be busy in the senate. We really wanted him in the movie. So, we asked for something less than the lead.”

Initially, Robin was assigned to play an important, but not so long role, that of former military intelligence chief, Victor Corpus.

“So that was what we asked from Robin,” said Atty. Topacio. “Parang special appearance lang and special participation.

“But when we approached him and talked to Robin, he immediately asked, ‘Bakit ayaw niyong ako si Gringo?’ So how can we say no?”

In recent press conference of Borracho Films, producers Ferdie Topacio and Secretary Mike Defensor confirmed Robin will indeed play Honasan in “Gringo: The Greg Honasan Story.”

“Matagal ko ng inaawitan si Boss Vic del Rosario na gawin ng Viva ang life story ni Sir Gringo,” said Robin. “Masayang masaya ako na matutuloy na din with Borracho and Sir Mike (Defensor) ang producers.”

The script of the Honasan biopic had been submitted by award-winning screenwriter Eric Ramos, who worked on the Mamasapano project that Topacio’s Borracho Films produced in 2022.

“Eric delivered the script of ‘Mamasapano’ to us and explained everything that will happen in less than two hours,” Atty. Topacio recalled.

It was Honasan himself, who talked to Robin, for the latter’s important role. “Gringo was very happy when Robin said yes,” shared Atty. Topacio. “Whenever I do a film project, all the stars really align.”

“Gringo: The Greg Honasan Story” is a possible entry to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) this December.

Atty. Topacio sought the assistance of incumbent secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro for the Honasan film. “We needed tanks, we needed to shoot inside Camp Aguinaldo and Gibo agreed to help us,” the lawyer said.

They will have to find another locale for EDSA, where the People Power revolt will be filmed. “Iba na ang itsura ng EDSA ngayon,” Atty. Topacio maintained. “Wala pang fly-over noon. We have to shoot somewhere else for EDSA.

“Ang hirap burahin noon sa post-production if we use EDSA today. It will be very expensive. That will be the highlight of the film. Mabigat itong project na ‘to because of the costumes and even the vehicles. We have to depict the year 1986. Then, we also have to do the seventies when Gringo was in the PMA.”

Robin was an ideal choice to play Honasan. They share many things in common. Aside from being both good looking, they have the same height and outlook in life. It cannot escape many that one of Gringo’s popular traits is his charisma with the people.

Gringo’s daughter-in-law, Barbie Almalbis, was tapped to write the theme song and she already gave her nod. His musician daughter, Kai Honasan, will help work on the music.