Family Reader
February 2000

As you walk across the hallway of the suburban residence of Sharon Cuneta and Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, what you notice are not the exquisite artworks (an Amorsolo here, a Modesto there), not the Megastar's different framed pictures with national (Nur Misuari) and international (Julio Iglesias) celebrities, nor the numerous coffeetable books strewn all over the living room (one on Jackie Kennedy side by side with a Juan Luna anthology). What stands out is the feeling of genuine warmth and sincere affection present in every nook and cranny.

Love built Megastar Sharon Cuneta's home and it is also evident in the womb-like comfort and coziness that permeate it.

"It's our refuge," husband Atty. Kiko of their home. "Our sanctuary."

Wife Sharon agrees wholeheartedly. "Our home makes me feel drowsy, sleepy," she jests. Once, as she was about to rush out of the house, en route to another exhausting day of work, the former self-admitted workaholic found herself wishing: "How I wish I could spend the entire day at home."

Atty. Kiko is also a self-confessed homebody, just like missus. "I'd rather stay at home when I'm free from work," he avers.

Their home is their sanctuary, their refuge, from the pressures and hassles of their respective professions.

At home, you'd most probably catch the Pangilinans lounging leisurely, having cake and coffee in the dining room, watching Mr. Bean (for him) or Jet Li (for her) on video in the TV room, or just laughing and shooting the breeze in the garden, beside the cool, calm waters of the pool with the vanishing edge.

These bonding sessions are, of course, always shared with Sharon's daughter (from a previous marriage), KC Concepcion.

KC, now a fine young miss, has grown especially close to her Dad Francis. KC, amiable and articulate, asserts that she has the best of both worlds with her doting parents.

"Daddy is more particular about rules and details," KC says about her parents' parenting styles. "He's the one who really gives me advice about school and everything. He helps me become a normal person. He shows me the normal side of life. My mom shows me the fun stuff. She allows me to experience things not all people my age get to experience!" Like going to the TV studio, hanging out with celebrities, watching Broadway plays!

Sharon herself acknowledges that Kiko is the strict disciplinarian.

Because there is not much age difference between mom and daughter (in fact, foreign stewardesses often mistake them as sisters--something that makes Sharon blush with bliss), Sharon sometimes finds it hard balancing her roles as mommy and friend to her daughter.

"It can be hard for me because I'd rather be her friend," Sharon intimates. "But someone has to do it. Someone has to be 'Mom.' " "She's my mom," KC stresses, adding that she understands where mom is coming from. "Sometimes, she teases me because I forget she's my mother. She's so much like a sister, a big sister I never had."

KC, in fact, considers mom her best friend, "next to God, of course." Sharon is KC's best pal--"someone I know I can always talk to about anything, someone with whom I can share my dreams, my thoughts and secrets, and I know she'll never spill."

"Sometimes I still think of her as my baby," Sharon sighs. "I cuddle up to her. Then I remember she's already a teenager. I can no longer treat her like a child and embarrass her in front of her friends."

The conversation in the Pangilinan dinner table flits from one subject to another: from Chinese cinema to Philippine art.

KC's dulcet and delicate voice rises from the party din and talks--authoritatively--about Juan Luna and the Propagandist Movement.

Sharon is impressed and congratulates her daughter. "Hmm, I didn't know that," Sharon gently, generously encourages KC. "Thank you for sharing that with me."

Daughter beams; mom glows just as brightly.

The above scene captures quite vividly Miss Megastar's parenting style.

Husband Kiko, in fact, admires his wife because she has remained simple and principled, despite her stature and success as a singer-actress.

Despite the awards and accolades, the fame and fortune, Sharon still values such time-honored Filipino traditions as respect for God and parents, deep concern for community and family. Friends surmise it's because her own parents, former Pasay City Mayor Pablo Cuneta and Elaine Cuneta, have provided a good foundation for Sharon.

"Outside the home, she might be a Megastar," Mommy Elaine quips, "but whenever she visits us, she is simply Sharon. If her brother Chet asks her to go fetch a glass of water, she would. If I ask her to get some patis (fish sauce) in the kitchen, she would. Gladly." That was her training, friends reveal, and she is now imparting the same lessons to her daughter.

At home, she is no celebrity, KC affirms. "She is so maasikaso. She takes care of us, cooks for us. You know, that she has just what it takes to be a perfect mom."