THE SILVER YEAR
by Mario Bautista, S Magazine, August 2002
Sharon Cuneta is in good spirit as we interview her. And why not? Everything is going beautifully for her, thank you, disproving the notion that one cannot be equally lucky in love and career.
"I really feel so blessed and fortunate that I have a supportive and understanding husband Kiko (Pangilinan), who is also a good and a responsible father to my two daughters, Kristina (KC) and Frankie," she says. "As far as family life is concerned, I really couldn't ask for more. We're really very happy. Even in my career, I am just so fulfilled that after 25 years in showbusiness, the people still support my career."
Her recent film, Magkapatid, won several awards in the Manila Film Festival, including the best picture and the best actress trophy for her.
"It's the first time for me to join any festival and it's really a big blessing that I won an award in the very first attempt I made," she beams. "In my acceptance speech, I thanked my co-star profusely. Si Judy Ann Santos, because without her playing the role of my younger sister, I don't think I could have delivered that persuasive a performance. Even when she is no longer needed in the scene, she stays there to make sure I have someone to interact with before the camera."
BATTLE WITH THE BULGE
SHARON came in a flimsy outfit that reveals she is really winning her battle with the bulge.
"I've shed around 50 lbs. since I gave birth to Frankie but I need to lose about 10 lbs. more to get back in my former shape," she adds.
A lot of people are curious as to what she did to lose weight.
"It's actually a matter of discipline. Natatawa nga ako dahil sabi ng iba I had to undergo liposuction daw. Look at this," she points to the flabby areas in her stomach and lower abdomen, "ayan at ang mga taba ko nga rito, hindi pa rin maalis alis hanggang ngayon. Ganyan ba ang nagpa lipo? But honestly, I'm considering it, just to get rid of the fats around my waistline. The problem is the time, because my schedule is so full. Right now, I'm preparing for a new movie and also for a big concert at the Araneta Coliseum to celebrate my 25th anniversary."
So she has never resorted to any artificial means to lose weight?
"No, never. I have to make a lot of sacrifice because you know naman how much I love to eat. I was so envious nga of Ate Amy Austria when we were doing Pagdating ng Panahon because she's so slim. May mga tao talagang kahit kain nang kain, hindi tumataba. Eh, kami, nasa lahi ng mommy ko na tumingin lang sa pagkain, ayun, 10 Ibs. agad ang nadaragdag. Inggit din nga ako kay Mama (Helen Gamboa, younger sister of her rnom, Elaine Cuneta because she has maintained her figure. Sobra naman kasi mag workout 'yan, eh. May sarili nang gym. Ako, hanggang treadmill lang, at sa bahay pa. It's the perfect way to exercise for me because I can do it while watching movies on TV."
But she has really lessened her food intake. "For breakfast, it's grapefruit or suha with a slice of wheat bread. Then l drink low fat milk. Lunch ko, tuna, or fruits lang. For-dinner, I have chicken - usually, without the skin, then once a week, lamb or steak. And definitely, no fried foods for me. Bawal ang mga prito-prito diyan because I have to cut down on the fats."
SILVER YEAR
SHARON asks for coffee while we were talking to herr and here comes the now famous Yaya Luring, who appeared with Sharon in famous Fuji Films TV commercial and print ads.
"Hoy, take one lang si Yaya roon, huh!" Sharon proudly proclaims. "I gave her a personal acting workshop bago siya humarap sa kamera."
She is really the most sought after endorser among our celebrities. Aside from Fuji, she is also endorsing Alaska, Winner Corned Beef, SuperFerry, McDonald's, and Nestle. Even her recording career is doing fine.
"I launched my album of revivals sa Viva, Nothing I Want More, then I also launched an album of original song for BMG Records, All I Ever Want, and both of them are doing very well," she smiles.
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Sharon started her acting career in 1981 at 15 with Dear Heart for Sining Silangang followed by other teen movies for Viva Films, like P.S. I Love You, My Only Love, Friends in Love, Cross My Heart, To Love Again, Buy One Take One, and many more. She started to tackle more mature roles in Sa Hirap at Ginhawa, Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin, Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala, Bituing Walang Ningning, Walang Karugtong Ang Nakaraan. Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas, Oras Oras, Araw-Araw, Kaputol ng Isang Awit, Nakagapos na Puso, Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita, Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso, Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin, Nakagapos na Puso, Tayong Dalawa. She also made unforgettable movies with Lino Brocka like Pasan Ko ang Daigdig, Biktima and Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita. Madrasta for Star Cinema scored for her a grand slam as best actress in 1996.
All the highlights of her colorful career for the past quarter of a century will be featured in Sharon's anniversary show entitled The Mega Event, a co-production between Artist House and ABS CBN. This wil be staged at the Araneta Coliseum on August 16 and 17, with Ryan Cayabyab as musical director and Johnny Manahan as overall concert director. For the first time, she will be performing with the 62-piece San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra.
"I'm really excited because my last major concert in a big venue in Manila was more than five years ago," she declares. "Of course I just had a successful concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum, pero iba pa rin siyempre when you are performing right here in our homeground. This will be my way of saying thank you to all the fans who continue to support me all these years."
ENTREPRENEUR
LAST year was also memorable for her because she went back into being an entrepreneur. She opened her own outlet of Sari Sari in Shangri La Plaza.
"I've been into business before," she says. "Remember I had several branches of my own Krista Boutique which started at the old Quad. I even had my own seamstresses to do the dresses we sell in our various outlets. But when all these viajeras from Hong Kong and Bangkok came into the scene, selling dresses in Greenhills at a much cheaper price, we started losing money so I decided to fold up my stores."
So how did she become involved with Sari Sari?
"The owners, Marni and Margie Ocampo, are good friends of mine and I really buy some outfits naman from them. When the opportunity came for me to have my own franchise of their store, di kinuha ko. But although this is just a franchise, I really treat it like my own. When my Sari Sari Outlet in Shangri La was launched, I myself organized the fashion show that inaugurated it. I even invited other stars like Ara Mina, Joyce Jimenez, Angel Aquino and Randy Santiago to model some of our outfits for us. And I'm glad because, so far, it's been doing very well. Whenever I have some free time, I go and visit the store to supervise its operation myself. I have delegated some people try manage it but I still have to have some personal stake in it. Also, natutuwa rin kasi ang mga taong namimili roon when they see me there in person. I also wear some of our clothes from Sari Sari in the movies that I do and in my regular Sunday talk show."
Aside from Sari Sari, she has some shares with the Video City outlet in SM Manila, but it is Viva Video that operates the whole thing for her. For her next project, she would also like to have her own restaurant.
"Alam n'yo naman, I really love to cook so I want to have an outlet for the dishes that I myself cook," she adds.
MOMMY SHARON
AS a mother, Sharon is also very proud of her two pretty daughters.
"When my daughter KC was launched as the image model of Human and recorded her first TV commercial for them, I was so excited for her. I was also a proud mother when I watched her play the role of Princess Sapphire in Little Mermaid not just once but for tour times. Talaga namang she improves each time I watch her.
"Also, my youngest daughter, Frankie, is now more than a year old and has made her own TV commercial. You know, each time she sees herself on TV, she'd say: 'More, more.' She's really very precocious and intelligent for her age. Nakakatuwa. She sleeps with Kiko and I in our room and each night, before going to bed, she wants us to read a book for her. At kahit maliit pa, she is so ma-PR. The moment we take her outside and people look at her, she would wave at them with a smile. Sabi ko nga, parang Sharon Cuneta times three. Talagang madaldal na siya."
He daughter KC is currently on vacation from the International School and is receiving a
lot of offers. "Much as we would like na pagbigyan sila, hindi puwede kasi may comitments pa siya kay Ben Chan ng Human. Ben Chan is such a good and decent person kaya hindi namin siya puwedeng basta talikuran.
"We have to honor our commitments with him. I'm really happy when I hear people say na KC has all the potentials to be a big star, pero honestly, I don't want her to go through what I went through in showbusiness. Lalo na ngayong the industry is going through a lot of difficulties. I'd rather she go to college and get a degree. Luckily, ayaw rin naman niyang mag-full time sa showbiz at plano rin niyang after high school in International School, gusto niyang sa abroad siya mag college. We went to Paris to see the American college there. But she's not decided yet if she'd like to go there or to a school in the U.S. mainland. Kung ako, man gusto ko sanang sa Paris siya so I have reason to go there every three months. I love that city kasi. Pero hindi pa rin siya sure kung ano ang course na gusto niyang kunin. There was a time gusto niyang mag doctor, then maging marine biologist, pero sa ngayon, ewan ko na kung anong gusto niya at ayoko namang makialam."
By April 7 of next year, she is turning 18 at sabi ko, in that aspect, I will interfere. I want her to have a grand debut. By that time, I'll just be 37 years old because I was just 19 when I gave birth to her. And I told her that if she could go backless in her evening gown, magba-backless gown din ako. That is kung hindi pa ako pregnant dahil gusto ko na namang masundan si Frankie bago ako maging 40 years old when it becomes more difficult to get pregnant."
So what are her other plans for the rest of the year?
"After Magkapatid, I want to do another drama but a lighter one this time. I want it to be directed again by Direk Joel Lamangan because we work so well together. There are plans to pair me again with Richard Gomez, but it will really depend on the material that Viva will come up with. After that, I might do a movie with Star Cinema. There's a plan for Aga Muhlach and I to do a movie, pero hindi matuluy-tuloy. Whatever happens, I want to do two or three more movies before I get pregnant again. I want naman to have a baby boy next time."
