Sunshine Cruz
Sunshine Cruz typically prefers to wear her hair long. But for the right role, she’s willing to chop them off.
Being part of the “Mano Po” movie franchise has always been a dream for the 44-year-old actress. So when she finally received a call, asking her to join the main cast of “Mano Po Legacy”—the new television drama anthology adaptation of the Filipino-Chinese-themed family drama, she went straight to the salon.
“I wear my hair long most of the time since I started my career as an actress. But when they offered me a role and asked me to cut my hair, walang kaabog-abog, sige! If that’s the look they want, game na game ako,” she said in a virtual conference for the “Mano Po Legacy’s” first installment, “The Family Fortune,” which is produced by GMA 7 and Regal Entertainment.
Sunshine, who got herself a bob with bangs, said being part of the show is an exciting way to start 2022. She plays Cristine Chan, a member of the prominent Chan clan, whose intelligence and business savvy led to the success of the family’s conglomerate.
Cruz used to have long hair
“It’s a dream come true for me. I used to just watch the (‘Mano Po’) movies. And I would always wonder why I never got any offers in any of them. So when this was given to me, kulang na lang tumambling ako sa excitement,” she said.
This is Sunshine’s first project on GMA 7 since 2018. While her fans are happy that she’s free to work wherever the opportunity arises, some people criticized her for the move.
Freelancer
She clarified that’ she’s a freelancer and isn’t tied to any one network. “I did experience some bashing when I found out I was doing a project for GMA. But I just help some people understand what being a freelancer means,” said Sunshine, who’s also thrilled to be working with her godmother Boots Anson-Roa, colleague Maricel Laxa and the new breed of talents led by Barbie Forteza.
“The beauty is that GMA 7 always welcomes me back with open arms,” she added. “And I pay it back by giving my best in every project.” INQ