LIZA Soberano is the new Darna.
This was reported by veteran entertainment editor Ricky Lo on his Tuesday, May 23, column for the Philippine Star.
Lo said Soberano was the "final" and "perfect" choice to play the iconic Filipina super heroine character in the upcoming Star Cinema movie.
His source added that the Kapamilya actress is already undergoing intense training for the role.
To recall, Soberano's manager Ogie Diaz confirmed in March that his talent was being considered to replace Angel Locsin in the project.
"Isa siya sa mga choices. Itong Darna, superhero, maraming may gusto na gumanap pa ring Darna. Imagine-in mo yung history ng mga gumanap na Darna, like Ate Vi [Vilma Santos]. Kung si Liza ang mapipili for the role, siyempre tatanggapin namin yun," he said.
Locsin had to give up the role after she was barred by her doctors to do any strenuous activities that could trigger permanent damage to her spine.
Meanwhile, Soberano is currently busy taping the life story of 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach for the upcoming special episode of "Maalaala Mo Kaya" (MMK).
She will be working opposite Zsa Zsa Padilla.
"My first time to act with this pretty lady! I must admit, it was hard focusing on my lines while looking at her beautiful face. Who knew such beauty could be distracting? But she's such an amazing actor and pretty soon, I felt like I was talking to my very own daughter. Please watch out for MMK featuring the life story of Pia Wurtzbach," Padilla wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
Prior to Soberano's MMK stint, Wurtzbach already saw the potential in her to become the next representative of the country in the Miss Universe pageant.
"I can think of a lot. But if I had to pick one... Liza Soberano. She's beautiful!" said Wurtzbach when asked by one Twitter follower who she thinks could win again the coveted international crown.
She added that the television actress "has the beauty for it" and is a "natural".
Diaz is not keen though for his ward to join the competition. He said Soberano had already built a name in local showbiz and pageants like Binibining Pilipinas are a good platform to those who are just starting in the industry.
"Paano kung hindi siya manalo? Sa tingin ko, hindi niya na naman kailangan sumali sa Bb. Pilipinas dahil Liza Soberano na siya. Ang dapat sumali sa Bb. Pilipinas yun mga baguhan lang. Na kung mananalo sila ay makakatulong sa kanila yung title," he said.
Diaz added that with Soberano's work load and schedule, it is difficult to join any beauty competition. (SunStar Philippines)