Liza Soberano OK with sexy Darna costume

‘I’m OK with wearing a two-piece (bikini), but they should give me enough time to prepare for it’

I’m ready for anything,” said teen star Liza Soberano on playing lead in the latest big-screen adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s “Darna.”

Liza has no qualms about donning the sexy red-gold, two-piece costume of the well-loved Filipino superheroine.

Skimpy outfits would not be a problem, said the 19-year-old actress.

“Yes, I’m maturing. I’m turning 20 next year. I think it’s about time. I will wear whatever will be approved by management,” she added. “I’m OK with wearing a two-piece (bikini), but they should give me enough time to prepare for it.”

She also hoped to be able to do all of her stunts and not hire an acting double.

The film, to be produced by Star Cinema with Erik Matti at the helm, will begin production soon.

“The most difficult part of portraying Darna would probably be the timing when you do stunts. You have to look strong but you can’t be too strong because you don’t want to hurt the person you are doing the scene with. You also have to make it believable,” the actress said during the recent launch of MegaPro Plus Karaoke Systems, which she endorses.

Wearing a harness would be a piece of cake for Liza. “Yes, it’s really painful, but I’ve already tried it and found it to be really fun. It’s just like riding the roller coaster.”

On their first meeting, Liza said Erik made her do a physical test “to see how strong I am… Based on that, he saw what else I needed to improve on. Right now, I’m regularly working out at the gym, doing strengthening exercises. For cardio, I run every Sunday.”

Liza Soberano regularly works out at the gym, doing strengthening exercises. —PHOTO COURTESY OF INSTAGRAM/@boksantos

She is also taking dance lessons “for grace and timing.”

Liza said she had not seen any of the past “Darna” projects, but she would be watching all of them along with her director. “This is so Direk Erik can pinpoint specific moves that he wants me to do,” she said. “I don’t have a favorite ‘Darna’ actress because all of them did well. All had their own perspective on how to play the role.”

She admitted to feeling “overwhelmed when it was first announced I’d be Darna. There were some good opinions, but there were also those who didn’t agree,” she shared with reporters. “I respect their opinion. I can’t control everybody’s mind. If they don’t think I’m the right one for the role, then I will just have to prove them … wrong. I will try my best.”

Her onscreen partner Enrique Gil has been very supportive. Enrique even joins her whenever she works out at the gym.

“Before this was confirmed, Quen (Enrique’s nickname) said he didn’t think that it was going to be me. [For him], I’m still a baby and that I’m too young for it. He said it’s impossible that [our ABS-CBN bosses] would make me wear a two-piece. When he found out, he was supportive and even seemed very confident that I’d be able to do it.”

Liza clarified that the “Darna” project would not be the end of their successful onscreen partnership. “We’re still a love team. It’s like when Quen did the film ‘Dukot’ on his own. I’ll be doing ‘Darna,’ but we will also have projects together,” she declared. “I’d be thrilled if Quen will be asked to join the movie; that will make a lot of people happy.”