Chardawn: The enduring magic of their heavenly embrace
By Gerry Plaza
Over two decades ago, this love team was considered a match made in heaven. They even had one monumental film to prove it.
The 1991 film “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit” directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna proved to be the pinnacle of their tandem, leading to a real-life romance, which ended abruptly a few years after.
But the scene showing Richard Gomez raising his beloved Dawn Zulueta by the waist and twirling her around as they meet atop the picturesque Alapad Hills in Batanes was as clichéd as it was cinematically stunning.
While the two may not have really ended up together—Richard marrying now congresswoman Lucy Torres, and Dawn tying the knot with yet another member of the House of Representatives, Davao del Norte Rep. Antonio Lagdameo, Jr.—their onscreen chemistry remains etched on everyone’s minds.
Reunion in 2012
And, when they found themselves working for the same network in early 2012, ABS-CBN just had to cook up something for them.
Their highly successful “Walang Hanggan” played off on their history and portrayed them as destined lovers who stand the test of time.
The pair made waves, reeling in a new generation of fans who shrieked with the same fervor their moms or aunts did during their prime.
Highest ratings
When they appeared in Vice Ganda’s late night TV show “Gandang Gabi Vice” in January last year, the thrilled audience members included seniors and tweens who all screamed when Richard and Dawn re-enacted their famous and unforgettable heavenly embrace in the last frame of “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit.”
That episode garnered the highest ratings at the time, with Vice even coining the affectionate request “i-Dawn Zulueta mo ako!” for couples to mimic that soaring act of love.
Who knew that 20 years after they became a movie love team, Chardawn would still be recognizable to fans of, say, Kathniel.
They were Kathniel
In fact, Richard and Dawn played the present day characters of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla in the blockbuster “Who’s Dating the Gangster” released earlier this year.
Their portrayal garnered both public and critical acclaim.
Now, why not have both a teleserye and a film that will have Chardawn as the marquee draw?
Chardawn in 2015
ABS-CBN did just that.
During its recent Kapamilya trade show, the network unveiled one of their shows for 2015: the Chardawn starrer “Will Never Ever Say Goodbye,” which will again revolve around an enduring romance.
Star Cinema is also producing another project for them, “Crossroads,” a movie that will also star Bea Alonzo in the lead.
What keeps the magic alive
What has kept their tandem successful to this day?
It’s their ageless charm and endless onscreen magic.
And further, this proves that people don’t care if Richard and Dawn are in reality worlds apart. Fans always want to see them framed in that heavenly scene over and over again.
