KIKO PANGILINAN APPROVES OF SHARON-RICHARD TEAM-UP
by Leah Salterio-Gatdula, Philippine Daily Inquirer, February 23, 2000

IT WASN'T hard to convince lawyer Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan to allow his wife, megastar Sharon Cuneta, to work with Richard Gomez again in a movie. We all know that Sharon and Richard were sweethearts once, so their screen reunion in "Minsan Minahal Kita" could rekindle an old flame. But Francis did not make a big fuss when he learned about the project.

"I just felt things have been settled between me and my wife," Francis says. "The one year in Boston really made us very close. So when she said she was choosing between this project and that project, for me, the main consideration was, 'what do you think is the better project?' It didn't matter whether his leading man was Richard, Cesar (Montano) or Robin (Padilla)."

In fact, it was Francis who urged Sharon to lose weight before making a movie again. Now that his wife is projecting a "sexy" image on the big screen, even paying "lip service" to Richard, Francis is not out to make an issue out of it.

"When she was still on the heavy side, I remember telling her: 'Whether it's for professional or personal reasons, you have to lose weight. There's really no way to go. You want to make a movie, lose weight first. You want to have a baby, you have to lose weight.'"

Indeed, after four years of marriage, Francis has adjusted to his role as the spouse of a big star.

"We're not just talking about our four years together as husband and wife. Two years before we got married, we were already going out," he grants. "So, it's six years of having to deal with the prying eyes of media all the time. I think I've gotten used to that, although there are times when I wish people would respect our privacy. I guess that's part of being married to someone who's very popular."

Francis confesses it's not easy being married to a superstar, but one of the reasons their relationship works is that Francis does not want to be in the limelight. He prefers to keep a low profile.

He has already learned to deal with the intrigue which constantly hounds their married life.

"I just tell myself that's inconsequential," he maintains. "In the long run, my focus is to make the marriage work and I cannot allow myself to be sidelined from that focus. The moment I lose my focus that's when the problems come in."

Despite their busy schedules - his legal practice, radio show and speaking engagements and her TV show and film assignments -- Francis and Sharon make it a point to spend quality time together.

Quality time for them is visiting their parents usually on Sundays or simply chatting inside their bedroom. "We both enjoy spending time with our respective families," Francis offers. "Inside our room naman, we laugh, tease each other or talk in our own language... 'yung kaming dalawa lang ang nakaka-intindi.

"We also write notes to each other and post them on the mirror in our bathroom where we laugh, swap jokes and exchange stories."

He is quick to point out that it's Sharon who's more demonstrative.

"That's understandable because she's the girl," Francis says. "But we constantly think of ways to make one another feel special. One time, I surprised her by writing a note which said: 'Sweetheart, did you weigh yourself today?' Then on the weighing scale, I saw her note for me which said: 'I miss you, sweetheart.' Even if we don't see each other, we try to make up for it through small notes or little acts."

What most people probably don't know is that Francis writes songs for Sharon, although she will never get to record them.

"We were always joking that, maybe, we should record this or that song I wrote," he grins. "But I don't think the songs will be hits. The only ones who will appreciate them are Sharon, KC and me. Puro private jokes from our Boston days.

"Some of the songs are really horrible, according to Sharon. Sometimes, she tells me to stop singing them or she will divorce me. It's all in jest, of course."

What Francis likes best about his wife is that Sharon believes in a lifetime commitment. "Sharon values the institution of marriage and she is willing to sacrifice for what she believes in. Family is very important to her and she really stands up for it and puts her foot down on anything that will affect the family. I really admire her for that."

Asked about the secret of their happy marriage, Francis remarks: "Four years is very short. I look forward to a lifetime. There's this thing with the public eye which makes us look like we're different because they treat us as celebrities, especially Sharon who's a superstar. But at the end of the day, we're just normal people. We treat each other like human beings and we're sensitive to one another's needs. There's a lot of give and take."

Naturally, like any other couple, Francis and Sharon also have petty fights and arguments. "Our arguments can get quite animated," Francis shares. "But I think when it comes to what we feel to be threats to what we hold precious and what we value, threats to our family, our relationship and our marriage, like we're not spending enough time together or why we are allowing something to come between both of us, we are fully aware of that.

"There are times when we don't talk to each other for two days dahil magkagalit kami. But we're both committed to making this marriage work come hell or high water. We both entered into this relationship saying that we intend to make it last."

But of course, they always kiss and make up. "Sometimes it doesn't matter who makes the first move to make amends, whether it's my fault or her fault. We write notes to say sorry. I see no reason one of us should not apologize."

Francis is dismayed when Sharon works too hard. "She's so dedicated to her craft that sometimes, she goes overboard in terms of her commitment," he explains. "Often I had to tell her, 'Relax ka muna nang konti. Learn to take a break. It should not be all work. You also have to take care of your health and spend time with your family. KC and I miss you." Still, Francis cannot imagine his life without Sharon. "She completes me," he says. "Life isn't life when it's not shared with her."