NO UNILEVER BOYCOTT AGAINST SHARON
by Ricky F. Lo, Philippine Star, March 15, 2003

Last Monday (March 10), Funfare took note of the rumor that Unilever, the 75-year-old and largest (most influential) advertising/consumer-product company in the country, has imposed a "silent boycott" against Sharon Cuneta due to her failure to grace Unilever’s 75th anniversary celebration last month.

Sharon said that she was sick (of bronchitis) and anybody who wanted to verify her condition could check the records at the Cardinal Santos Hospital. Sharon’s fans and followers of her ABS-CBN self-titled show frowned on the reported "silent boycott."

To set the record straight and to belie the rumor, Chito Macapagal, Unilever’s general manager for corporate development, sent Funfare the official statement of Unilever that should put the matter to rest. It’s headlined "Ms. Sharon Cuneta Still Enjoys the Support of Unilever Philippines." Here it is, in full:

Contrary to recent published items, Unilever has always been, and still is, supportive of Ms. Sharon Cuneta and other personalities in the entertainment field, among others.

Ms. Cuneta was indeed invited to grace the company’s 75th Anniversary TV Special, Kaibigan Habang Buhay, which was co-organized with ABS-CBN. Ms. Cuneta declined due to her schedules and the state of her health. Unilever, in turn, has sent her a note and a bouquet of flowers to wish her well.

Unilever’s advertising placements are based on show ratings and budget. Upon the advice of its advertising agencies and media buyers, support for Ms. Cuneta’s shows and that of others are subject to the same guidelines.

Unilever Philippines is grateful for the work which Ms. Cuneta has done with the company, not a few of which became very memorable TV ads. The company welcomes the opportunity to work with Ms. Cuneta again in the future.

There. Loud and clear.

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