SHARON CUNETA LOVES BEING ORDINARY
by Mary Ann A. Bautista, Philippine Daily Inquirer, March 11, 2000

LIVING in Boston gave megastar Sharon Cuneta the perfect excuse to be ''ordinary'' for awhile. While her husband, Francis ''Kiko'' Pangilinan studied, she pursued her interests. ''That year in Boston, was the best time of my life. I enjoyed househunting with Kiko. We were free to go to church with no one looking at us. Sundays were family days. I picked up KC from school driving my own car. I made sure that KC learned all the things I didn't learn while I was growing up, that includes doing household chores.

''I did the groceries, I cooked and cleaned the house, I ironed and washed my husband's clothes. I can't do that here! We watched movies, ate out, went to the malls, and no one would stare at us. Not that I mind having fans coming up to me here. But sometimes, I just want to enjoy the simple things.''

She misses cooking dinner for her family. Back in Boston, she prepared native dishes like inihaw na talong, bangus and tilapia, kare-kare and pasta. Does she consider herself a good cook?

''I have to be because my parents, aunts and my brother Chet are all good cooks. I grew up in a family where they expect lunch to be a full-course meal. My Mom is Kapampangan so I probably got my interest in cooking from her.

''My specialties are pastas. But I have mastered the art of making mamon, cakes and chocolate mousse because I have been making them since I was seven. Actually mahilig ding kumain ang pamilya ni Francis,'' Sharon smiles.

Sharon exudes happiness and contentment wherever she goes. It's not only because she's lost a considerable amount of weight (more than 30 pounds), she also credits her husband for it.

''I married Kiko because he treats me like an equal. I am submissive but I'm also practical. I am confident about my own abilities, so I needed someone who can support me and not expect me to be a housewife, although I love being one.

''I built my career over two decades so he understands. We're both very strong-willed but we accept each other's shortcomings. We're also compatible. We love the same things and enjoy staying at home. We watch movies on the laser discs together.

''Sometimes we stay in bed, catch up on our reading while we hold hands. We laugh a lot. It helps to be good friends because a good sense of humor is needed in a marriage,'' Sharon shares.

But Sharon quickly dismisses the idea that her marriage is perfect. ''We've had our share of problems, but it's been a smooth roller-coaster ride. Whenever we have problems, Kiko and I try to work things out. He's a God-fearing man who is as committed to our marriage as much as I am. Our snags are few and far between kasi nagkakaintindihan kami.

''Last year, I made a deal with my husband, that if I didn't get pregnant within a certain period, I could do a movie. And the result of that deal is 'Minsan, Minahal Kita,' my reunion movie with Richard Gomez.

''Working with Richard was easy because we maintained our friendship. Among my ex-boyfriends, I consider Richard (Gomez) and Rowell (Santiago) as close friends. Maybe because when we got out of our relationships, we still loved each other.''

How and why did her relationships break up? ''The story of our relationships was wrong timing! A relationship is not all love. I was waiting for my annulment and Richard was still enjoying his pagka-binata. With Rowell naman, everytime we saw each other, I would still be hurting from a previous relationship and I wasn't ready emotionally,'' Sharon recalls.

Sharon does not want to expect to replicate her feat of having a grand slam as the best actress for ''Madrasta'' with her current movie. ''My director, Olive Lamasan, was pressured. Before we started shooting, we had a heart-to-heart talk. I told her that I didn't want to have that baggage. Winning another best actress award is not my main goal. Yes, I gave my best in my performance but if I had that kind of baggage when I was in front of the camera, parang magiging pilit ang performance ko. Let's just wait.''

Last year, Sharon produced Fanny Serrano's TV show, ''It's a Fanny Day.'' But the show folded up even if the reviews were good. Sharon feels bad about it but she plans to produce another show. ''I think that Fanny deserves another show and I still plan to be a part of it,'' she says.

Sharon has weathered some storms in her life but she remains optimistic about life and love. ''I love to read and I try to remember things especially if they're positive. But when I was in high school, I read that life is a series of challenges which must be faced and mastered. So I take every day as it comes and I face it head on. Because I firmly believe that God will never give you any burden that you can't carry, so never question His will and His motives. I am also hopeful that whatever I face in the future, I have Kiko with me,'' Sharon reveals.

Her close friends (Fanny Serrano and director Olive Lamasan) say that Sharon is a thoughtful, sweet and sincere person. But Sharon describes herself as a hopeless romantic. ''I believe in love. You should always have love in your heart. Love can't be explained. It just hits you, it's not something you can control.''

There is nothing false or unpretentious about how Sharon talks about her marriage and life. She's real and ordinary--in an extraordinary way!