MEGA MILLENIUM
by Bayani S. San Diego Jr., Women's Journal, January 1, 2000

On the eve of the year 2000, Sharon Cuneta looks back on a stellar two-decade career and looks forward to a vibrant future ahead.

STAR QUALITY
The Megastar.

Movie, music, TV and advertising execs call it the Midas Touch, the Megastar mystique. Absolutely everything she touches - every film, record, show and product - turns to gold.

Could it be because of that sweet Sharon smile, that captivating Cuneta charisma?

Yes and yes. But Sharon Cuneta's mega-success can also be attributed to the three Ds of showbiz: drive, determination and discipline.

As such, on the eve of the new millennium, this Mega-Diva is the only Movie Queen who can claim to be a Multi-Media, Multi Platinum Star.

CLAIM TO FAME

She has earned as many titles as awards throughout her stellar, two-decade, multi-media career.

DJ's Pet. Box-Office Queen. Grand slam Best Actress. Much Sought-After Product Endorser. Sharon Cuneta is also considered as one of the most influential (read: powerful) people not only in local showbiz, but in Philippine society as a whole.

It is often said that, among the Gen X,Y, and Z kids, her name has had more recall than some past Philippine presidents. This was proven when Pulse Asia Inc. conducted a survey and Sharon emerged number 4, right behind Vice-President Gloria, Senator Loren and former President Cory, the first showbiz personality on the list of Powerful Women.

Coincidentally, she also joined the above lady-politicians in the 100 Women of the Philippines honor roll-a landmark coffee table book on Filipina achievers.

MOMENT OF GLORY

The fame and adulation. The awards and accolades. All this undoubtedly makes Miss Shawie glow.

But her brightest, most vibrant moment came in '97-'98, when she bravely turned her back on a flourishing career to keep house for hubby Francis Pangilinan and daughter KC Concepcion in Boston. In faraway Massachusetts, Sharon had the chance to revisit what she had always missed: a normal life.

Upon her return, she picked up where she left off, hardly missing a beat. In quick succession, she launched a TV show, a new spate of commercials, records, and won awards (her web site was named the People's Choice winner in the Philippine Web Awards).

Still, amid the noise and hoopla of showbiz, the lessons of Boston remain in her heart.

HEARD THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE

Although she is the most scrutinized, most observed female celebrity of her generation, Sharon has achieved the seemingly impossible. She has remained incredibly simple and amazingly sane in a business that thrives on hype and madness.

The latest crazy intrigue centers on her weight loss. Speculations are rife because, unlike other women who fight the battle of the bulge in the comforts of anonymity, Sharon had to wage her war in public.

Despite the nasty rumors (check her answer to Question No. 20), Miss Mega remains unruffled.

"I guess, when you take away all the layers, I'm just a singer-actress who wants to make people happy," Sharon avows. "Even without the borloloy, the awards and the titles, even if intrigues were thrown my way every day, I would still choose to be a singer and an actress," she asserts, "because I love my work."

HERE AND NOW

And her enduring passion continues to bear fruit.

Her Sunday gabfest Sharon is a weekly top rater. Her pop album When I Love (produced by her very own Mega Music label) has gone platinum. She is now putting the finishing touches on a follow-up CD - a compilation of '80s revivals. And she is also working on her reunion movie with perennial partner Richard Gomez and Madrastra director Olivia Lamasan, under Star Cinema.

Busy and hectic, her days and nights are. Unlike her own 1990 prediction, Sharon circa 1999 is far from slowing down.

That's the megastar momentum in the new millennium.

FUTURE PERFECT

"I once said that I would like to retire at 30," Sharon avers. "I said that when I was in my early 20s and you know how twenty something people look at thirty something people as ancient. Time flies so fast. But I'm still the same. I still feel the same."

Like what was proven by the Boston interlude, family remains her top priority. "But to be an a effective mother and a good wife, you have to be yourself," Sharon affirms. "And being yourself means being able to do what you love most."

Here's the state of Sharon, 2000: "I know that I've been blessed with so much. But I still feel that, if God has put me here for a reason, I'm not even halfway through His plans. The Big Picture is far from complete. Just allow men to get back on my feet. After I have a baby, I'd still would like to go back to work. Maybe do a movie or release a record once a year. I'd still like to make myself useful."

1. What was your last birthday like?

I was here in Manila already, and was really not planning anything, but my husband wa pala!

My Mom came to our home in the aftrenoon of January 6 and brought some food. I relly wasn't expecting anything except that mu husband was taking me out to dinner that evening.

Then in the late afternoon, my Mom and Francis were telling me to dress up and get ready because we were going to Prince Albert at the Intercon in Makati, and they said we had to leave early to avoid the traffic.

After I'd dressed up and stepped out of our bedroom, I heard some music playing. It turned out to be a string quartet and a pianist - live, downstairs by our pool. The song they were playing was "The Promise".

My husband had asked a chef to come over and cook up some dinner, here at home, by the pool while the music played! We danced under the stars. My Mom and KC joined us at the table.

He also had started putting together another photo album of our year in Boston, with all his little notes, and saved receipts and whatever, from there! He hasn't been able to finish it, though, but says he will, soon. Then, just when I thought that was it, he said our relatives and some friends were waiting for us at 8th Day, a restaurant/bar in Ortigas Center, and so we went and had a party! It was one of my most memorable birthdays. I was feeling really low because I had just had my second miscarriage less than four months before, and so this birthday was special because I felt really loved by those that mattered to me.

2. Who was your first crush? First love? Bruce Lee. First love, secret!!!

3. Who was the first to make you cry/break your heart? Why?

Gabby Concepcion. I'd rather not tell (but do you still have to ask?)! Haha!

4. What's the most stupid thing you ever did for love?

I agreed to get married secretly at age eighteen, defying my father and mother and breaking their hearts, and later on, mine.

5. When was the last time you splurged? What did you buy?

Hong Kong last October. Bought a watch.

6. How do you manage stress?

I sleep, read, ask not to be bothered. No phone calls- I really hate the phone and only use it when necessary. I spend time alone, watch movie after movie on the VCR. When I can, I like to go to the beach with my family. Or Subic where we have a little home, and it's quiet and peaceful (but the traffic's bad and I can't stand staying in the car for hours). The best for me is to get out of the country, to do go even just Hong Kong, but better if I can go farther away, like to Paris or the States.

7. How do you keep fit, look beautiful?

I try to get as much sleep as I can, though nowadays it's once again a luxury for me, since I'm always shooting or taping, and finish in the morning more often than not. I do the treadmill as often as I can, though when I'm working, I'd rather sleep when I'm home.

I take care of my skin - remove my makeup no matter what time it is that I get home from work. I use lots of lotion now on my body.

I also try to think positive, though sometimes it's difficult. It pray that the stress doesn't get the better of me, and try to relax and just enjoy what I have to do, even on full days. I think attitude has so much to do with your performance in any area of your life, on any given day. I try to keep the right kind.

8. What makes you happy?

Working, tough not when it takes its toll on my health (like now, my voice hasn't had a chance to go back to normal!) and I have to keep on working when I should be sleeping or spending time with my family.

I enjoy spending time with my husband, daughter, Mom and Dad, my brother and his family, and my Tita Helen and her kids and grandkids. I also have lots of fun with my "girl group" and with other friends.

Traveling makes me happy. I think it's knowing that you'll be away from your "real life" for a while that does it for me, and of course the freedom I can look forward to having for a few days - shopping, watching movies, etc. - without being recognized.

I like staying at home also. I've never been a party girl and I don't enjoy big, loud gatherings.

Coffee makes me happy. My computer makes me happy. Reading good books and magazines, being able to cook and bake, going to the beach with my family. I love television, though I rarely watch local programs since it's the business I'm in and I want to get away from that when I'm relaxing.

Also, nowadays, my weighing scale makes me happy!

9. What provokes your anger?

Users, liars. Those that betray my trust in any way, no matter how small. People who are too familiar. People invading my privacy. Stories that are absolutely fabricated about me or those I love. Irresponsibility and inefficiency. I don't like tamad people, especially when I have to work with them. And I don't like whiners or those that have nothing but "negative" thoughts or things to say.

10. What is one thing about you that many people do not know about - but you wish they knew?

Hmmm... that I'm a touch-typist? Hahaha! Though that's true (typing was an elective in high school and was an A subject), I think it'd have to be that it takes very little to make me happy (I don't like it when people say they couldn't think of anything to give me because I have "everything"), and just as little to disappoint me or make me sad.

Okay, not just one thing, ha? I like stationery and blank cards I can write on and send to friends, and colored pens!

I'm a frustrated interior designer/architect/artist. I need more than one lifetime to do all that I want to do.

When I give my heart, I forget to take it back sometimes! I love hard, and I love good. I take friendship seriously.

I can't live without my cousins (my "sisters" Apples, Lala and Ciara Sotto) aside from my immediate family. I don't mind being different from the rest of the family, and when I want to do something, I really set my heart on it and don't listen to everyone's opinions.

I was born a manang, born responsible.

And my favorite sports are archery (loved it in high school), shooting (.45 cal. pistol or a 9mm), and in my teens I loved to play tennis (used to sleep with my racket) and bowling.

I like watching all these travel videos and Lonely Planet on the Discovery Channel.

I spend lots of my money on books and magazines (I've had a love affair with paper for many years).

I want to finish school. I want to retire while I'm still youngish and can travel and dress up!

I'd like to own a farm with veggies and herbs and a few chickens, and have a huge kitchen.

My great crushes are Jet Li, Antonio Banderas and Keanu Reeves. Also Leonardo Di Caprio.

I'm a workaholic (oh, okay, you all knew that).

I'd like to own a hotel and a restaurant someday.

I love houses - imagining what an old one could look like once it's been restored or renovated, or a new one-what style I would want (French Provincial? English? Spanish? Mediterranean? Pinoy? Chinese? Japanese? Thai? Balinese?). I wish I had lots of money to build all the houses I have in my head, and to be able to furnish them.

I take pictures of anything that interests me-mostly buildings or houses.

I have three laptops - a Toshiba and a Macintosh Powerbook, and know how to use both Mac programs and Windows. I have a new Mac iBook which I haven't had the chance to use yet. I love computers.

My passion is good watches. I love my dog. I am able to maintain my weight because of all the clothes I imagine wearing.

I spend lots of time in my Tita Helen's house. I am an incurable romantic. I am a frustrated writer. I am absolutely loyal. And transparent.

When I'm very nice to someone, that's real. And when I seem like I don't like someone, I probably really don't.

11. What's on your bedside reading table these days?

Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah (who wrote my favorite book, Falling Leaves). Lots of novels of my new favorite - the Indian writer/columnist Shobha De. My Utmost for His Highest. The Business of Bliss. Young Millionaires. My Bible.

12. In your ref?

Melon Soda from Japan (I get cans in Hong Kong), Alaska Slim. Chocolates for when I can have them. Looove cottage cheese, though I don't have any now.

13. What's the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?

Go to the bathroom and do all my seremonyas. Say my prayers, then ask for coffee.

14. The last thing you do at night?

Go to the bathroom and do all my seremonyas. Read to fall asleep after praying.

15. What's the first film you ever saw?

The Sound of Music, I think, in a theater with my parents.

16. What's the best film you've ever been in?

Madrasta. And my Viva "Trilogy" (Bukas, Luluhod ang mga Tala, Bituing Walang Ningning, Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas.)

17. What's the worst?

The Lilian Velez Story, Cross my Heart

18. Which role do you wish you'd played?

Ate Vi's in Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? Hilda Koronel's in Kasal (which was the first ever Tagalog film I saw in the theater along Session Road in Baguio city with my mom).

19. Which role do you regret having played?

Lilian Velez. Though that woke me up, then I did Madrasta.

20. What's the most outrageous thing you've ever read about yourself?

That I was in an X-rated video with an ex-boyfriend! I kept saying I hoped the girl was sexy! Haha! Also the one that said I was on shabu or some other drug that's why I was thin - that was about ten years ago. I sued! But they had no money to pay me.

21. Does any piece of criticism stick in your mind?

Only those I can use to check myself, those that are constructive. Nothing else. I'm beyond all that - I've been trained to ignore people's opinions of me, most especially if they're baseless or untrue.

22. Which Hollywood or European film star's image would you like to be associated with?

Gong Li's cinematic presence, I love. Juliette Binoche. Julia Roberts. Annette Bening is really classy. Jennifer Lopez's sexiness!!!

23. What do you do with your money earned from showbiz?

I invest in real estate, some jewelry, good art. I also think I work so hard just so I can keep traveling.

24. Who do you think is the most powerful person in the film industry?

Any Lopez, Del Rosario, Monteverde. Also FPJ.

25. What goes on in your mind when you have to kiss your leading man?

I don't kiss all my leading men. But when I don, nothing, except maybe that I'm hoping I don't look awkward. I usually get a bit nervous. There are too many people, then there's your blocking and your lines to think about to have space to think about much else!

26. Can you quote a (memorable) line or piece of dialogue in one of your past films?

From Bukas Luluhod: "Bukas, luluhod ang mga tala..."

From Madrasta: "Iba pag naririnig mo lang, iba pag nakikita mo na..." (Okay, I don't have this down pat.)

From Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin: "Nagbabad ka sa kama ng babaeng 'yon, pagkatapos gusto mo para akong tangang naghihintay sa 'yo dito? Doon na lang ako sa maliit naming bahay, mga totoong tao ang kasama ko doon!"

From P.S. I Love You: "Love should not be a heavy feeling, it should not make you suffer. It's a smile in the heart, it makes you come alive. Love makes you want to fly."

27. If you weren't megastar, what would you rather be doing?

Designing houses, or working in a hotel, or running a restaurant. Or maybe an ambassador (sana to some country in Europe!).

28. If you were to go tomorrow, what would you like your friends and colleagues to say about you?

That I was a good person. That I at least tried to live a good and decent and honest life. That I was a good wife, mother, sister, cousin, daughter, friend, actress, singer. And that I lived every bit of my life on my own terms, because I knew that life was too short. That I touched their lives even for half-a-second. And that they think I'd be worthy, in spite of my many imperfections and shortcomings, of being on a direct, non-stop flight to heaven.