Jericho Rosales has been named top choice to play the role of Manny Pacquio when the boxing icon’s story is told on the silverscreen this May. But at this point, producers of what many believe would be the movie of the year seem to be having a hard time determining who should play the role of the boxer’s wife and lady love.
FLT Films, which has secured rights for the life story of the “People’s Champion,” said young actresses Heart Evangelista, Bea Alonzo, Kristine Hermosa and Angel Locsin have been shortlisted for the role of Jinky Pacquiao, the boxer’s wife.
FLT matriarch Rose Flaminiano said that the choice of the leading lady is critical to the movie considering that Pacquiao’s love story would be one of its highlights.
She also said that if they would continue to have a hard time picking Rosales’ leading lady, the choice may be left to the public through text voting.
If she would have to make the decision, however, Flaminiano said she would choose Hermosa. But that, she quipped, “is also because of the text messages I have been receiving saying they prefer Rosales’ former girlfriend for the role.”
She added that the previous success of the Rosales-Hermosa tandem both in the movies and on TV may also become a factor.
Rosales, for his part, preferred Evangelista over Hermosa, Alonzo and Locsin.
The actor said he believes Evangelista’s promise as an actress could give justice to Jinky’s character and even contribute to making the movie’s love angle more interesting.
Rosales and Evangelista are currently paired in ABS-CBN’s sineserye “Ang Panday,” where he plays as the new generation “Panday” while she portrays as his lovely wife “Eden.”
Locsin, who is a prized talent of Regal Entertainment, was also being considered for the role because of her proven appeal to the masses.
Reports said FLT has already communicated with Regal’s Lily Monteverde to inquire on Locsin’s contract.
Alonzo was included in the shortlist because, like Hermosa, she resembles Pacquiao’s wife. Her fresh face, sources said, is seen to add more appeal to the movie.
Locsin and Alonzo, if chosen, would be paired for the first time with Rosales.
Aside from Rosales, another shoo-in in the movie is Rudy Fernandez, who was chosen to play the role of Pacquiao’s childhood buddy and trainer, Buboy Fernandez.
FLT is also convincing Pacquiao’s American trainer-coach Freddie Roach and sports broadcaster Dyan Castillejo to play cameo roles in the project.
Screenwriter Roy Iglesias said the P50-million production will showcase the life of an ordinary man who became successful because of his diligence, his honesty and loyalty to friends and family.
A worldwide premier for the movie titled “Pacquiao, Ito Ang Laban Ko” is scheduled in May.
