SHARON CUNETA ONCE MORE
by Shirley Matias Pizarro, The Manila Bulletin, August 8, 1999

"Love should not be a heavy feeling. It should not make you suffer. Love should make you happy. It's a smile in the heart. It makes you come alive. Love makes you want to fly."

We can still see the shy smile touching Sharon Cuneta's lips while mouthing those lines from "Dear Heart." She was Kristine and Gabby Concepcion was Mark in that movie. The scene was at dusk, the sun was about to set and whatever little brilliance was left of it was being covered by the bobbing branches of the tree where Kristine was leaning over. Mark had his one foot over the golf cart while listening intently to what she was saying.

To us who belong to that generation (where girls would copy her trademark bangs and straight hair-do), it was a magical scene. So much so, that until now, almost two decades after, we still know the lines by heart. And could recite it with much feelings, much fervor just like how we all did way back when.

And for us who practically grew up with her, Sharon Cuneta is always good news. My generation could never tire of the phenomenon like she is. Sharon is still Sharon Cuneta and there is no other way to put it than by saying that she's all alone in that league.

A visibly slimmer Sharon Cuneta faced the full-house Virgin Cafe on Tomas Morato that afternoon and candidly broke the ice by admitting that she was nervous. Expect Sharon to lighten the mood of an otherwise stiff gathering by cracking something like that to put her guests at ease.

The occasion was for the launch of her new album, "When I Love," under her very own Mega Music Production, and distributed by Viva Records. Confessing that this album comes exceptional in the tradition of her "Mr. DJ" outing, Sharon discloses that she's not the one who listens to her own records very often, "but this one has taken that kind of beating. Even my driver knows all the songs here because it is constantly playing in my car," she laughs. And Sharon reasons that that is because she really likes this album a lot, the selections are just too good. And we couldn't agree with her more, after getting a taste of it.

The launch of Sharon's new album signals the brand new chapter of the megastar's career. "I've always said that after I came back from Boston I was home but I've not really come back. This time, I'm so glad and so excited to be on the roll again."

And indeed she's back with a vengeance. Sharon is not just launching a new album, she's also launching a new phase in her career ó as a producer under her own Mega Music Production. Sharon says it is every singer's dream, and every singer's right, to be able to own and produce under her own label. Saying that it never was her dream to become a director, Sharon said, "I decided to push through with this because I wanted to have more control over the budget, and things like that. Kasi sometimes, you can't really deliver what it is that you want exactly because of budget constraints di ba? And besides, I have the 100 percent support of Viva and Boss Vic del Rosario. So there's really no problem in that regard. In the future, we may look at the possibility of producing for other talents. The immediate in our list maybe my cousin, Ciara Sotto. And I'm not doing that because she's my relative. That is because I know she's good and I believe in her talent," Sharon said.

On top of that, Sharon will soon be filming her next movie under Star Cinema and under the direction of her favorite Inang, Olive Lamasan. For this movie which will come out after two years of "hibernation," Sharon said that she had a deal with her husband Kiko to come up with a really nice dramatic vehicle that would leave a mark. "Kasi madalang na nga akong mag-movies, kaya might as well do something that would make people remember in the years to come." After the movie, the next album, to celebrate her 20th year in the business will also come out. "That one will be released months after pa, and it's puro revivals, which you would surely like," Sharon promised and then saying in jest, "ibang press con pa yon."

During the launch, Sharon enthusiastically sang five cuts from the album, to the delight of the crowd. She came obviously prepared, like how she always does. And the more interesting piece of news was when she admitted that her vocal chords are already healed. Meaning, she can now go back to negotiating her high notes, which she admittedly missed for around five years. "My vocal coach, Olive Isidro (yes, she's the pretty sister of Agot Isidro) could attest to that. She almost cried when I was able to go back to my high notes, for this album."

Sharon said that condition was perhaps precipitated by her constantly hectic schedule ó doing movies, doing shows, recording, taping for her variety show back then, shooting music videos. The fast and hectic pace might have caught up on her and took its toll in her voice. But now, thank heavens, after she had that much-needed rest and break, Sharon went back to recording in full glory.

"I just want to give back to you the old Sharon," she said meaningfully. But more than how she intended it to be, Sharon was also referring to her old shape. And the hard work that she's devoting to losing weight has actually paid off. Sharon said she just needs to lose 10 more pounds and she'll be fine. We asked her how she did it and Sharon said that her medical diet, the cabbage and soup diet is one of the slowest and most torturous ways to lose weight. "But I'd rather do it the slow and sure way. I don't go for pills and anything like that because more than anything, I am very careful with my health. Ang lagi ko ngang sinasabi, mabilis ka ngang papayat, para ano. Para maganda ka sa kabaong. Kaya dito na lang ako."

Sharon said she has absolutely nothing against liposuction and even went on to say that she might resort to that in the future "when I grow thin but still with problem areas," she said.

As it is, Sharon's diet is a low carbohydrate-low fat, high protein. " I eat chicken without skin, steak without fats, no rice, wheat bread na lang. And I do exercise. I am on the treadmill and I do it like twice a day for 20 minutes. While I exercise I can do a lot of things still, I can read pa," she said.

The line-up of songs in Sharon's "When I Love" album are a mixture of old and new compositions that are evidently well-chosen. She has Michael Johnson's "Doors," which she introduced by saying, "while everybody else was going ga-ga over 'I'll Always Love You,' I was going crazy over this one." Also in the album is Southborder's "Kahit Kailan" which she rendered beautifully, a wonderful feminine version of the song that has become familiar through the voice of Brix Ferraris. The carrier single "Both Sides Now," a Joni Mitchell original was easily a favorite with its wonderful arrangement.

During the launch she also sang "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" which was given a new treatment by Homer Flores and produced by Eugene Villaluz. But the sure winner in the album comes with "Starlight," Sharon's very own composition which was given a wonderfully youthful arrangement by Cesar Aguas. The song, which comes as the no. 3 track off the album also comes off as a bonus track with KC Concepcion, sharing the vocals with her.

Sharon was quick to add though that "this is just about as far as KC goes in recording. She's 14 now, may isip na. And she's the one who is not so hot about joining the business. She really doesn't show interest. One time may offer for commercials, but she told me that she's not ready yet, she doesn't like. She's very open to me, she says what she wants. Minsan nga nasobrahan na yata ng freedom of speech ang nabigay ko sa batang yan," Sharon jokes.

And the proud mom revealed that KC is more inclined to music. "She doesn't really care about movies. And she's more into instruments, guitar, piano, etc," she added.

In the meantime, Sharon will busy herself with the promotion of her new album. She'll be coming out with two music videos for this, "Both Sides Now" and "Starlight" soon. She'll be touring key provinces for special shows called "Sharon Live..." On Aug. 21, she'll be at Cebu Coliseum, Aug. 28- La Salle Coliseum in Bacolod; and Sept. 4 in Dagupan Astrodome.

We asked Sharon why is she up in her neck with work again, after slowing down for quite a considerable time. Is it a choice to do all her work again now, and then stop again sometime to give way to more domestic inclinations? "Not really stop, but maybe to slow down again afterwards so we can again try to have a baby. Kapag wala pa, go back to work again and then slow down again and try. Kapag ibinigay niya, salamat. But at this point, I've learned the value of not going against the tide. Whatever God wants for us, so be it. We're not pushing it, basta we'll just continue trying. It's entirely up to Him," she said with the wisdom of a true believer.