NOW it can be revealed: Angel Locsin’s first choice to succeed her as Darna, after she had to give up the coveted role due to a spine injury, is Liza Soberano.
Locsin candidly mentioned this after being asked to react to Soberano’s recent statement that she wants to make her predecessor proud as she dons the superheroine’s costume in Star Cinema’s big-screen adaptation.
“Nakaka-touch. Nakita ko nga yung interview niya,” Locsin was quoted as saying by PEP.ph. “I’m already proud [of Liza].”
She added: “As in sobrang proud ko na sa kanya, kasi nung nag-usap kami before, na-mention nga niya na kinakabahan siya. Pero siya kasi talaga ang first choice ko, sinabi ko na sa kanya and alam kong kayang-kaya niya talaga.”
Soberano, 20, has made no secret of her apprehensions about doing justice to the pop culture icon. The actress has earned praise from her director, Erik Matti, for her commitment and dedication to the role and the training required.
Like Soberano, Locsin recalled that her preparations for her portrayal of Darna in the 2005 TV series included researching past iterations of the Mars Ravelo character.
“Ako kasi nung nag-Darna ako, nag-research ako sa mga past Darna. Nanood ako and bawat pelikulang napanood ko, may iba-iba silang pinakita, so wala talaga ‘yung Darna na iisa lang for me, kasi bawat artista, binigyan nila ng bagong flavor,” she said.
Locsin continued: “Itong si Liza is very blessed kasi ang dami pa niyang reference and ang ganda na rin ng technology ngayon, so abangan n’yo. I think magiging sobrang ganda ng Darna na ito.”
When Locsin announced in 2017 that she had to prioritize her physical well-being, which meant passing on Darna’s mythical stone to another actress, it was through an emotional interview that was televised on primetime.
Despite that heartbreaking decision, and over a decade since she was last seen in Darna’s red battle gear, Locsin remains associated today with the superheroine – a testament to the popularity of her portrayal.
Asked for her reaction to still being regarded as Darna by her fans, she said: “Thank you kasi part ng history ko ‘yon. Kung makalimutan din naman kasi ‘yon, masakit din para sa ’kin kasi pinaghirapan ko ‘yon.
“Hindi naman sa parang kini-claim mo na ikaw pa rin, pero parte kasi ng history ko ‘yon, parte ng pagkatao ko. ‘Yun lang naman ‘yung sa ’kin, so nata-touch pa rin ako pag nasasabi sa akin na, ‘Hi, Darna.’ Pero hindi ko kini-claim yung trono kasi binigay ko ‘yon nang buong-buo talaga.” (ABS-CBN News)
