THE MEGA-MMK MARATHON
Sweet Dreams (and Memories) Are Made of These
by Bayani S. San Diego Jr., September 8, 2001

On the occasion of Maalaala Mo Kaya's 10th anniversary, the Megastar makes a rare TV drama appearance -- in a twinbill that tests her talent and expands her range as an actress.

Day One

Welcome to another hectic day in TV Land.

Actually, we were on the fifth floor of a condominium in the middle of Manila Bay (on reclaimed land, really!). The mise-en-scËne was particularly emotional. In one of the posh condo unit's four bedrooms, the director, the much-admired Chito RoÒo, was painting a maudlin scene with a palette of tears and shadows.

Two award-winning actresses -- the Megastar and her young co-star -- have been emoting nonstop the whole day (and night). It was well past midnight. Both the cast and crew were a bit weary; their nerves, frayed and frazzled.

In the bedroom scene, Sharon Cuneta, playing a high-powered executive, was supposed to sing a lugubrious lullaby to her luckless, HIV-positive niece, portrayed by Serena Dalrymple.

As early as breakfast time, they've been throwing a number of song titles (from a Bee Gees hit to a Gloria Gaynor disco tune) for the pivotal scene. From a number of suggestions, Direk Chito finally settled on the '70s Helen Reddy ballad, "You and Me Against the World", as the chosen song.

Take 1!

Sharon was putting Serena to sleep, sweetly singing a tune she once sang to her character's dead sister, the mother of Serena's character, who was also stricken with AIDS.

It must be the witching hour. Because DirekChito was abruptly hit by inspiration.

He instructed Sharon to sing the other ditty they planned to use in the emotionally draining scene.

So instead of Sharon singing "You and Me Against the World", she warbled the opening lines of a familiar tune:

"First I was afraid, I was petrified, kept thinking I could never live without you by my side . . ."

The whole set cracked up.

Just another day in TV Land.

Day Two

The whirlwind (and wearying) taping schedule that again rivaled the Tour of Luzon was on the occasion of Maalaala Mo Kaya's 10th anniversary -- for which Miss Mega had consented to make a rare TV drama appearance (the twinbill will be aired on September 13 and 20, while a special anniversary documentary will also be aired soon).

Sharon, whose last forays in TV drama were back in the Lovingly Yours days (aside from the occasional TSCS drama specials), had to make a lot of adjustments to accommodate the morning-to-morning taping skeds.

She was promoting her second album, working on her weekly TV show, shooting a McDonald's commercial (in Laguna!), and preparing for a one-night concert in Onstage Makati, on that same month. On top of all that, she was also mothering Kaycee and Frankie, aside from being the caring wife of Senator Kiko.

Amazing, but she found the energy for two episodes of MMK. (Originally, Sharon was supposed to tape four episodes. But due to scheduling conflicts, the MMK team had to shelve the two other drama specials. Sharon, after all, was due to start a Viva movie with Robin Padilla, as well as jump-start a concert tour in Japan by the end of September.)

Sharon -- half-jesting, half-serious -- told Kris Aquino in Kris and Tell that she was "traumatized" by the tiring taping skeds.

But it seemed it was all worth it, because she had missed acting tremendously. (Her last movie was shown over a year ago.)

Working on the set also allowed her to catch up with friends and colleagues (among the Day One guests on the MMK set were good pal Zsazsa Padilla, Star Cinema exec Trina Dayrit, ABS-CBN talent coordinator Cornelia "Angge" Lee, mega-makeup artist and hair stylist Fanny Serrano, as well as filmmaker Olivia Lamasan and the Minsan, Minahal Kita crew).

And because mothering is her top priority, a constant visitor on the MMK sets (whether it's in Marina ParaÒaque, the DSWD center in Quezon City or Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa) was baby Frankie.

Frankie is the MMK tapings' official "star", fawned over by newfound titos and titas on the set. (Precious Frankie was even fetched by dad Kiko on the first day. The senator's office was near the set on Day One.)

Frankie also found a new playmate in child star Serena, who played peek-a-boo with the "toddler", cradled her like her own baby sister, and sang nursery rhymes to her. (To show her appreciation, Sharon gifted Serena with Barbie trinkets and a singing Britney Spears doll on the second day of the shoot.)

Sharon, for her part, found a kindred spirit and fellow movie buff in renowned scriptwriter Ricky Lee (who penned the RoÒo episode).

After dinner in the DSWD Recreation and Study Center for Children on Day Two, Sharon and Ricky intently discussed their favorite Chinese movies, which they planned to adapt for local stars.

Sharon and Ricky agreed that King of Masks was perfect for King of Comedy, Dolphy.

"We've found great projects for almost everyone except me," Sharon laughed.

It was also a time to renew ties with cinematographer Charlie Peralta, who is Shawie's kumpare. Charlie made sure that Sharon had a limitless supply of yummy fishballs and squidballs--her favorites.

After the DSWD scenes, the MMK troupe drove through the pouring rain to a hospital somewhere in Fairview. (There was a tropical storm that night.)

At the hospital, Sharon had a number of "crying scenes" with Dante Rivero, who essayed the role of an AIDS counselor. The most challenging dramatic scene was shot an hour or so after daybreak -- almost one whole day after the cameras started rolling.

But before they taped that heartrending scene, DirekChito shared a friendly piece of advice, pertinent for late-night/pa-morningan shoots: "Eyedrops refresh and soothe tired eyes," he intoned, clutching a small bottle of eyedrops like a Famas trophy.

Took a mental note: Eyedrops clear bloodshot eyes, especially vital for close-ups.

Sharon roared: "He was so cute, impersonating a pitchperson for eyedrops."

Needless to say, Sharon didn't need the eyedrops to coax tears from her own eyes.

Tears flowed freely throughout her scenes with the talented Mr. Rivero and it was not because of the demanding, draining skeds.

The script was that heart-wrenching.

Day Three

The rolling and rambling hills of Alabang, the gentle rhythms of suburbia, proved to be the perfect backdrop for Sharon's second MMK episode - this time, written and directed by Jose Javier Reyes and co-starring Patrick Garcia, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Bibeth Orteza.

While in the first episode, she played a Benz-driving career woman, this time around, Sharon assumed the role of a loyal yaya -- in loving tribute to her own beloved nanny, the famous Yaya Luring.

Playing two vastly different women (from diverse social backgrounds and with equally dissimilar dilemmas), the MMK episodes allowed Sharon to test her thespic skills and extend her dramatic range.

Also, the MMK episodes permitted her to do what she could seldom do in her everyday life -- that was, to venture out in the park in broad daylight.

Taping a basketball scene with DirekJoey, Sharon was able to stroll in the park with Frankie, as well as meet up, sign autographs and take pictures with a few fans.

At the park, she was also able to meet DirekJoey's own pampered baby, a mute, long-haired Chihuahua named Hercules, that also had a bit role in the show.

Back in the comfy home that doubled as Shawie's place of employment, Miss Mega played parlor games with DirekJoey, Bibeth, and Jackie Lou. They also sampled desserts from Dulcinea, as well as from Cheesecake Etc.

Later that evening, Bibeth's husband and frequent collaborator, filmmaker Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, dropped by and discussed the controversial 20 percent tax proposal for showbiz folk.

Between fervent speeches on justice and sound fiscal management, Carlitos had the presence of mind to quip: "Ang sarap ng cheesecake!"

Just another day in TV Land.

Day Four

Two more locations were left unvisited on the second day of taping with DirekChito. Thus, the need for a fourth day with the MMK crew. Serena's birthday party scene (which was interrupted by croaking frogs) and the crematorium scene (which was derailed by monsoon rains) were on top of the shooting list.

Up and about that Monday morning was Miss Shawie. Fortunately, shooting went without a hitch the whole day. They even served her other favorite, barbecued isaw, for lunch.

As usual, Frankie visited her mom on the set.

Even the most jaded of observers who'd catch Sharon playing with Frankie would surely feel the undeniable bond between mother-and-child. All Sharon needs to do is enter a room for Frankie's face to light up. And the same is true with Sharon.

So whenever Sharon had to say goodbye to Frankie (and vice versa), tears were inevitably shed.

Yes, there was drama, both in front of and behind the camera, on the MMK set.

In the crematorium scene set in Funenaria Paz, Serena and Sharon were required to mourn the loss of a loved one. (To make the scene more poignant, both stars had lost a parent in the past year or so -- Serena, her mom, and Sharon, her dad.)

While Sharon was a portrait of subdued sadness, Serena was asked to sob and wail like any normal child who had suffered such a loss.

It was heartbreaking in its honesty.

The two stars genuinely looked devastated. So much so that conscientious crew members had to shout for tissue and water for the two stars. (It was not uncommon for even the most hardened staffer to weep buckets after watching a dramatic scene starring Sharon and Serena.)

After the tear-jerking scene, Sharon embraced the drained Serena, comforting her, thus: "Good girl 'yan e! Such a good actress!"

Between takes, Sharon and Serena calmed themselves by making chika. Serena gabbed about a recent class debate on the environmental ramifications of garbage incinerators, while a stunned reporter listened distractedly. Sharon joked around with Yaya Luring and posed for some souvenir shots with the MMK crew.

As cast and crew called it a night, a mob of fans inexplicably gathered at the lobby of the funeral parlor. They were all waiting for a glimpse of the Megastar.

"Hay naku, parang premiere night!" gasped Peachy Mariano, who was Sharon's on-set makeup artist for the MMK episodes.

Because the fans were lined up in an orderly fashion, Sharon had the chance to shake hands with them. A matronly admirer even asked for a kiss and Sharon complied gladly.

But before heading straight to the waiting car, Sharon eluded her concerned bodyguards and took a slight detour, to check out ABS-CBN's high-tech OB Van.

"Ganda!" Sharon admired the van. "I want a trailer like this," she jested.

It was an emotional rollercoaster ride.

More than the comedy and the drama, however, time spent in front of and behind the camera is ultimately enriching and fulfilling, as far as Miss Mega is concerned, because special times like this is stuff sweet dreams (and memories) are made of.

Welcome to another day in TV Land.