IT'S SHARON'S TURN TO PLAY FAVORITES
by Ricky F. Lo, The Philippine Star, August 17, 1999

The recent Conversation with Sharon Cuneta (The STAR, Aug. 8 issue) drew varied reactions from readers. Here are two e-mailed to Funfare:

* From Migs (no address given): I think it's insensitive of you to keep reminding Sharon of her inability to have a baby, even if she wants to "desperately," like you do in the case of Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres. If it happens, it will happen and you don't have to put pressure on them. My sister has had two miscarriages and she now has three beautiful children. I saw what she had gone through and I'm careful when I talk about the subject to couples who want but cannot have a baby. Be more subtle next time. (Note: Promise I will - be more "subtle" next time. But like the ardent fans of Sharon and Richard/Lucy, I can hardly wait to see them have little bundles of joy, so pardon us for putting the "pressure" on them. Henceforth, we'll quietly stand by and scream "Hooray!" as soon as we get word that they are - finally, finally! - conceiving. Promise!)

* From Janette V. Tulud of Mountain View, California:

Hello, I just finished reading your interview with Sharon Cuneta. I just wanna say something about her ways of keeping weight off. I think there's a misconception about her believing not to mix carbs with proteins. I'm surprised that she hasn't heard about the Zone Diet when she was here in the US. This is about having a well -balanced meal that includes 40 percent Protein, 30 percent Carbs (simple carbs), and 30 percent Fat (mostly monosaturated or polyunsaturated).

Almost all medical professionals don't believe in dieting (cutting one's balanced meal) as a way of weight loss because of the fact that it does not work for a long period of time. The Zone Diet, though, does have good results if one is into losing weight, gaining muscles, and gaining energy. Like I said, the percentage is 40-30-30. It's supposed to be used with regular exercise (30 minutes on the treadmill daily is sufficient) and also eating should be every three to six hours. This Zone diet is used by the Swim Team at Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA.

This Zone Diet was created by Dr. Barry Sears who's a respected Endocrinologist. He wrote the book Entering the Zone and Mastering the Zone. Maybe you can suggest these to Ms. Cuneta.

By the way, I'm a nurse here in the US who now resides in Mountain View, CA (near San Francisco) who also uses the Zone Diet.

Lastly, I congratulate Ms. Cuneta's success in losing weight and trying to keep it off.

Other Sharonians were disappointed that I didn't include Sharon's list of favorites. Actually, I asked about her favorites but the Conversation occupied all the space. Here are Sharon's favorites (better late than never, no?):

* Pastime - Watching movies (mostly Chinese and French) on videotapes

* Books (Please refer to Girlie Rodis' column The Reading Club, Lifestyle Section of this paper, Aug. 8 issue.)

* Movie - Raise the Red Lantern ("It's breath-taking; the story is simple, plot can be applied here; visually exciting; acting is wonderful; actors are beautiful.")

* Actress(es) - Gong Li, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Susan Sarandon, Juliette Binoche, Sigourney Weaver and Meryl Streep

* Actor(s) - Antonio Banderas and Leonardo DiCaprio ("For looks"); Michael Douglas ("For acting"); and Harrison Ford; Jet Lee; and Will Smith ("Very entertaining!")

* Singer(s) - Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Whitney Houston, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Andrea Bocelli and Marc Anthony (rumored boyfriend-and husband-tobe? - of Dayanara Torres)

* Song -The Promise

* Author(s) - Stephen King and Amy Tan ("Among many, many others")

* Food - All kinds ("I was raised to appreciate a four-course dinner. For the Cunetas, dining is not just eating but communing with friends. My Mom is Kapampangan and you know how the Kapampangan love good food!")

* Drink(s) - Coke and milk ("I have been a milk-drinker since I was small.")

* Fruit(s) - Caimito and honeydew melon

* Perfume - Bulgari (the green bottle)

* Saint - "Sorry but I've been a Born-again Christian for 12 years now."

* Hero(es) - James Bond ("And my Dad, a superhero!")

* Restaurant(s) - Gloriamaris and McDo

* Friend(s) - Philip Cuazon, Jr. (owner-manager of two McDo outlets), Baby Gil, Maricar Ong, Sandy Santamaria, Marni and Margie Ocampo, Agot and Olive Isidro, Shirley Kwan, Sandra Chavez, Rowell Santiago, Ram Antonio and many others.

* Time of Day - Between 12 midnight and sunrise ("That's when I'm alone and nobody's bothering me, when I'm reading or watching videotapes.")

* Day of the Week - Sunday ("When I see my Dad and my Mom, and my nieces and nephews.")

* Part of the House - "The part which I call `My Room.' That's the only part of our house I'm allowed to make kalat in - my books, my tapes, everything nakakalat in `My Room'.")

* Cities - Paris, Subic, Puerto Princesa, Tokyo, Hong Kong ("You find everything there; been going there since I was a kid)" and, of course, Boston

* Color(s) - Black ("Which isn't really a color") and blue ("Most parts of our house are done in blue and yellow.")

* Moment(s) - "When I gave birth to Kaycee; when I won a Best Actress grand slam (for Madrasta); when I met Francis (Pangilinan, her husband); and my first day in school in Boston."

* Possession - "My family, no question and no doubt about it. I love my career, all right, but it's just an icing on the cake, so to speak."

* Sleeping Wear - Pajama bottom and a loose T-shirt ("Francis' favorite is his shorts.")

* TV Show - Anything about lifestyle

* Talkshow Host(s) - Jullie Yap-Daza ("Who doesn't like her?") and Larry King ("He can be inquisitive without losing his decency.")

* Expression(s) - Maryosep! ... E, Diyos Ko!... Damn! (said in a joking manner).