THE MEGA EVENT : THE ACTRESS
August 16-17, 2002, Araneta Coliseum

The Megastar • The Singer • The Actress • The Multi-Media Star • The Woman • Articles

"Without fail, it's a toss-up between Maging Sino Ka Man and Kahit Konting Pagtingin. At the Hong Kong Coliseum, among the most applauded numbers were the theme songs. Dear Heart is also memorable because it reminds me of how simple and innocent life was when I was a kid. And that movie really changed the course of my life. It helped me determine what I was going to do in my entire life."

Movie Memories

Magkapatid, 2002

Music and movies have always been a recurring motif, enduring twin passions in Sharon's life and career.

On her first attempt to record a "mature, dramatic" song, the "DJ's Pet" was given George Canseco's "Langis at Tubig" the theme song of a tearjerker starring idol Vilma Santos.

Also in her teen years, she released the album High School, the title track of which was used as theme song of a Gina Alajar Sandy Andolong drama, High School Scandal.

Soon after director Danny Zialcita noticed 14-year old Sharon's star potential (during the Cebu Film Festival, where Langis at Tubig was an entry), he came up with a brilliant idea: Sining Silangan's Dear Heart, a movie starring Sharon, with the theme song (also by Mr. Canseco) recorded by Sharon in English and Tagalog.

From then on, fans have come to expect every Sharon movie to have a theme song that is just as unforgettable as the lines of dialogue in the script.

Minsan, Minahal Kita, 2000

Indeed, each song served as soundtrack for whatever Sharon (and her audience) was going through in life at that time: From experiencing the heady joys of youthful romance (PS. I Love You, My Only Love, To Love Again) to plunging head first into maturity and responsibility (Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin?, Sa Hirap at Ginhawa, Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso?).

But when Sharon teamed up with another music genius, Willy Cruz, for the theme songs of her Tala trilogy, the result was pure magic: "Pangarap na Bituin" (Bukas, Luluhod ang mga Tala), "Bituing Walang Ningning", and "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas."

"Sana'y," in fact, became the "national anthem" of Sharonians the world over and her trademark encore number in all of her concerts whether in Araneta Coliseum or Shrine Auditorium.

Even the theme songs of her later movies have become the "most requested" numbers in Miss Mega's concert tours.

Speaking of Sharon:
"Sharon's maturity as an actress is very evident when one sees her films like Magkapatid. She has not only proven herself to be a Multi-Media Megastar, but also as an artist who takes her craft seriously and who will go through great pains to improve her talent. Sharon has also proven that she is in the business not merely for popularity or for publicity, but for the sheer love of what she has chosen to do."
- Jose Javier Reyes
Director, Nang Iniwan Mo Ako

"She's an intelligent actress. A very intelligent actress, but she doesn't intellectualize. There's a big difference there. She follows instructions very easily. And then she will add something more than what the director asks, which is still within the bounds of what should be seen onscreen. That's why I think she is very good at her craft . . . I saw her grow up. I've done four films with her already. I saw her in her turmoil. Her emotional turmoil, as an actress, as a woman, as a mom. I consider her my daughter quote, unquote. I saw her grow up, emotionally. Now, I am certain that she can very well tackle more mature woman roles. She's very ripe for it. After all, she is one of the best actresses of our time. And I am proud of her."
- Joel Lamangan
Director, Magkapatid

So as my name was called to receive the award, practically the whole movie passed before my eyes. I could see the faces of my director and co-stars, the crew, the staff. I remembered highlights from the movie... like that scene where I ran out into the street in the rain . . . and strangely, I remembered my black 'clogs'.

Award-Winning Moments

The eve of her silver anniversary is surely another banner year for Miss Mega. At that time, the year 2002 was only halfway through and yet she was already celebrating a triple whammy.

After winning as Best TV Host at the KBP golden Dove Awards for her weekly ABS-CBN gabfest Sharon, she bagged the Best Actress honor in last June's Manila Film Festival for Magkapatid, and the Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan (for Cinema) medal.

Manila Film Festival, Best Actress, 2002

Sharon recalls that exact moment when her name was announced during the Manila Filmfest Awards night: "Of course it felt wonderful. It was the first ever film festival I had ever participated in in all my years as an actress, and expectations of the box office results of Magkapatid, as well as of our performances, were quite high, and needless to say, it was scary! So as my name was called to receive the award, practically the whole movie passed before my eyes. I could see the faces of my director and co-stars, the crew, the staff. I remembered highlights from the movie... like that scene where I ran out into the street in the rain . . . and strangely, I remembered my black 'clogs'. I had forgotten to change into another pair and had gone out into the fake rain and gotten my clogs all wet. I was worried that they would fall apart! They were a Christmas gift from my friend and back up singer, Olive Isidro, and they are such a favorite. You saw me wearing them in many scenes in the movie! In all, of course, I was again grateful."

She also has fond memories of the Patnubay rites. "The Patnubay was a beautiful surprise. This was bestowed on me just about a week before the Filmfest award. To be in the company of such great Filipinos who have been given the honor over the years was overwhelming. It is one of my most treasured recognitions."

Among Sharon's fellow Patnubay honorees were Raul Locsin (Architecture), Agnes Arellano (Sculpture), Alfonso Bolipata (Music), Pablo S. Gomez (Literature), and Joy Virata (Theater). Past winners included such prized artists as Fernando Amorsolo (1963) and Victorino Edades (1965). The Patnubay medal was created by a National Artist, sculptor Napoleon Abueva, no less. But more than the awards and accolades, Sharon considers this as her crowning achievement: "This is the biggest test in my lifetime: Despite the fame and glory that were thrown at my feet, my biggest accomplishment is that I didn't let showbiz swallow me. After all has been said and done, there'll be a smile on my face because of that. I am proud of that,"

"I'm still trying to do better pa. I don't think that I've really reached my peak yet. It's not that I am not satisfied with what God has given me. No. I think I'm just challenging myself a little more. I'm still pushing myself. I'm still trying to find a way to take care of all the wonderful things I've been blessed with."

1996 GRAND SLAM YEAR

Gawad Urian Awards	People's Choice Awards	F A M A S
Film Academy of the Philippines		Star Awards for Movies

Sharon Speaks:
She enumerates the achievements she is especially proud of. "My integrity, again, in spite of my imperfections, occasional stupidity, my human weaknesses. I am proud of the way I have kept not only my sanity, but again, my heart, intact. Only my weight and schedule change! I have never, inside me. I am proud of how much I've learned in terms of appreciating people, even those that have hurt me. Because I would have remained stupid had I not learned to. I am proud of the way I have learned to pray, to love, and to forgive. I am proud of the way I have seemed to retain my audience's respect. I am proud of the kind of daughter I have become to my mother, sister to my brother, especially after Daddy passed on. I am proud of how much more I love my husband and children now; how much more precious they have become to me (I didn't think it was possible for them to be more precious). I guess that I would love it if, over and above the fame and fortune, I would be considered by all Filipino movie and music lovers, the most loved."

Speaking of Sharon:
"I always liked her image, the way she has projected herself. If there's a dark side in show business, there's a brighter side, And that's what she has stood for all these years. She's a movie queen, in the traditional sense.

That was what we have been missing for so long. Edukada. Marunong magsalita. Magandang pamilya. Matinong kausap, Sincere. In the same mold as Susan Roces. Someone we can all be proud of."
- Chito Roño
Director, "Lullaby" Maalaala Mo Kaya