Sharon Cuneta to star in the feature film adaptation of ‘The Mango Bride’

Sharon Cuneta is set to star in the feature film adaptation of The Mango Bride—an award-winning piece by America-based Filipina author Marivi Soliven. 

The actress expressed her enthusiasm over the project as she shared the news on Instagram. “SURPRISE! Hollywood, here come PINOYS!!” she wrote in the caption. 

According to Variety, Cunted said she wanted to take part in the project as “it’s the best way to connect to a global audience by putting some of the best Filipino talents and stories together to tell an emotional and uplifting story like this.”

“I have long been a fan of Marivi Soliven’s writing, from Suddenly Stateside, her collection of light essays about living in the U.S., to The Mango Bride,” she continued, pointing out how the author “captures the Filipino migrant and Filipino American experience skillfully.” 

Scheduled for production later this year, it will be directed by Filipino-Canadian filmmaker Martin Edralin (Islands). Writer Rae Red (The Women and the Gun), meanwhile, is working on the screenplay. “Justin Deimen and Micah Tadena will produce for Singapore and London-headquartered 108 Media,” the same report noted. Among its executive producers are production company Bold MP’s Anna Liza Recto and Michael Kaleda, along with Kevin Balhetchet as well as 108 Media’s Ryo Ebe and Abhi Rastogi. 

A grand prize winner at the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards, the story—originally published in 2013—revolves around two Pinays named Amparo and Beverly, “who migrate to California and discover hidden truths as their stories meet and intertwine.”