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"She has always been smart, but she has grown up to be a very intelligent woman. At the same time, she is very sweet. Fun to be with."
"Her main strengths as an actress? Her charisma. Her voice. Her timing especially when she is delivering long lines of dialogue. It's because she is a singer. May sarili siyang kumpas. Rhythm. Especially in Madrasta na talaga namang lumabas ang talent niyang ito, kasi we used live sound." "Of course, meron siyang weakness. She has become such a big star in this business that it has become a disadvantage. It's not only because her roles are limited. It's also because as an artist, you also need to feel like an ordinary human being. "Ginagawan niya ng paraan. Pero...." "Let's face it, since she's a Megastar she cannot walk around the street. She cannot watch a movie in Las Pinas or in Megamall. That's why I personally think that the one-year break with Kiko in the States would do a lot of good as an artist so she could get to experience life as an ordinary human being."
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Award-winning actor Cesar Montano-or, as he is fondly known by Shawie and other close friends, Boboy-shares a number of things in common with the Megastar. And it's not limited to the fact that they're both singer-actors equally adept in front of the camera and in the recording studio. In the key of C (common denominators, that is), they are kindred spirits. And it is hardly coincidental that this interview was held in Boboy's farm somewhere in Bulacan. (It has always been Sharon's dream to live in a modest farm, "to raise chickens, ducks, rabbits, and maybe a peacock or two.") As will be readily apparent in the not-so private conversation below, Cesar, like the Mega-Friend he so lovingly describes, is also down-to-earth and perceptive, a gentle soul with a kind heart . . . and a beautiful mind. First Impression "The first time we worked together was in The Lilian Velez Story. But I think we met before that. Maybe when I guested in her old show (The Sharon Cuneta Show), to promote my movies. "I am sure we met before, but Lilian was the first time we worked together. And my role was to kill her! It was so tragic. "Siyempre, she's a Megastar. She's a big, big star. "But I make it a point not to have preconceived notions, not to judge other people, before I get a chance to talk to them. "So when I finally got to meet her, I discovered that she's very down-to-earth, very intelligent. She's very helpful, very generous to people. She has a soft heart." Close Encounters "We became close when we did our second movie, Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba, directed by Toto Natividad. It was a fun shoot. We all had a great time. I asked someone to take a picture of us together on the set. In the picture, I was embracing her. I even asked her to autograph it for me. That picture is now displayed here (in the farm). "For the movie's ending, we did a lot of ad-libbing. We just had lots of fun. Exchanging stories and jokes on the set. That was why the movie looked so natural, as if we were just enjoying ourselves. "And food was overflowing on the set! There were banana cue and turon all the time. But by the time we wrapped up shooting, she started dieting na. She cut down on her meals, six times a day na lang, instead of twelve! "She might strangle me when she gets to hear all this!" Strengths "She's a very sincere actress. I think she is one of the finest actresses in our industry." "She's very effective as an actress. We could all see this, not only in her own performance, but in the box-office performance of her movies. They're all hits. That's why she became a Megastar, on top of having an already successful singing career. "In her singing, in fact, you could see just how sincere, how good she is as an artist. "She feels her songs. "I think it's also because she's a very emotional person. And she's a very experienced person. She knows a lot about life. She's a very deep person. Very wise." Weaknesses "Well, her only weakness is that she finds it difficult to refuse when food is laid out in front of her. She might throw a plate at me the next time she sees me!" Friendship "Frankie is my godchild. And Sharon is also one of the principal sponsors in my wedding. She was so mad at me when I asked her, but she agreed in the end because she was so happy for Sunshine and me. "I also want her to be the godmother of my daughter Angelina. "I think we also bonded because we have a common friend, Eloisa Matias (of the Premium Label of Star Records). "Sharon and Eloi were the ones who encouraged me to go into recording (Subok Lang). "I didn't want to try singing because I myself hated my own voice. I only sing for friends, when we're drinking and having fun. But to make the entire country listen to my voice, I don't like the idea! "Like what I always tell them: I used to be a folk singer; I used to sing for my folks. "Eloi had a hard time convincing me. Until Sharon talked to me. "She gave me a very good reason why I should try singing. She told me: 'You know, Boboy there are places in the country that the movies and television can't reach.' And she's right. In the far-flung provinces, there are no moviehouses, in the caves of the hermits, there are no TV sets, but there are radios. Because our country is not that rich, there are some places where the radio is the only form of entertainment. By recording songs, you get to introduce yourself to more people. "And somehow she was able to convince me that I have what it takes to be a singer. It was because she was able to hear me sing, when I used to guest in her show or when we had to record duets to promote our movies." Real Sharon "As a person, what I really admire about her is that she is very principled. If she promised something to you, it doesn't have to be put in black and white, it doesn't have to be put in writing, because she will stand by it. She really values her word of honor. "She won't be able to sleep soundly if she would somehow fail to be true to her words. She really takes care of her good name. That is one thing I like about her. And that's precisely the reason why she is loved by many." Mega-Appeal "People love her because she is sincere. "Sharon Cuneta is really wholesome. She is really a good person. If you asked her to endorse a product, then you made the right decision because she is decent, straight. Like everyone, she has had her share of struggles, the ups and downs of life, but she has remained intact and sober." Common Ground "I hope so. (That we are the same in that way.) That's why we became good friends, I think. That's another thing we have in common. We both have only a few close friends in showbiz. It's because it can be very difficult to maintain friendships in this business. "But Sharon is a true friend. She's always there. Ready to lend a helping hand. While we were shooting Wala Nang Iibigin, someone approached her for a charity case. Although others were warning her that that person might be a con artist, she still helped out. She told me that what is important is that she is sincere in helping other people. Whether that person is being honest or not is no longer her problem. For as long as God knows that her intentions are one hundred percent sincere and pure, she'll be okay."
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"Straight up: Napaka-bait.That explains why she is the Megastar. I'm looking forward to having another Megamol. Sana."
"Hindi lang ako rattled. I felt numb. Everytime I approached her, three feet away pa lang, I started shaking na. She'll never be a Megastar if she's not a real, true person." "Siguro it will take doomsday para makita mo siyang malungkot. Lagi siyang masaya." "Marunong din siyang mag-rap. "There is nothing she cannot do. Even if its something new to her, like rap, she would try her best to perfect it. Walang impossible for her." "That's her main strength. Sheer will power. She would do it whatever she pleases and would do it well." "On the set, bungisngis ng bungisngis. Kain ng kain. Her only weaknes is, of course, food. When we were shooting Megamol, nahilig kami sa puto."
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"She has been the Chairman of the Board (composed of 15 members) for two terms already. She's very masipag. Very apolegetic whenever she's late."
"Ginagatungan ko kasi siya sa mga meetings when she's five, ten minutes late." "Actually she's very diligent. She religiously attends all our meetings." "We in the Guild love Sharon because she's very vocal. She doesn't hesitates to express her feelings about plans crucial decisions, etc." "Hindi siya 'Yes-Man.'" If she is not totally convinced about a plan, she makes it a point to raise questions. She participates actively in our discussions and meetings." "As KAPP President, I can confidently say that she has contributed a lot to the improvement of the lives of many people in the industry." "She has a good leadership qualities. The mere fact that she commands the loyalty of legions of fans speaks well of her charisma. She has mastered the fine art of influencing people positively." "I think we have starred in too many movies together. Ha-ha-ha ! (He was Captain Barbell to her Darna.) If there is one thing I hate about Sharon is that she constantly feeds me on the set. Every week na lang meron siyang bagong culinary discovery: Lapid's chicharon with atsara, pies, etc." "In fact, tinuruan niya akong kumain ng chicharon with atsara." "Her main strengths as an actress? Her talent. Her versatility. Her uniqueness. You know, we live in a strange industry. It doesn't conform to world-class standards. Kakaiba ang kultura, ang expectations ng audience. In Hollywood, you can do what you want. Here, there are certain limitations. Despite all that, she has elevated herself to great heights as an actress and at the same time, she has proven her worth as a box office star." "It is only now that she has made a stand about her career. Kung dati puro formula. Now she is trying out roles that were forbidden before. She doesn't just want to be box office star, she wants to be an actress." "This is a period of growth for Sharon. She is maturing as an actress and with that comes the search for more challenging roles, endeavors." "The real Sharon is very frank. Very candid. Very sensitive. But her most eadering quality, I think, is her fantastic sense of humor. She's her in her movies, since she has specialized in drama." "And her kind of humor is very dry, wry, sarcastic. Do'n kami nagkasundo. Nagbabatuhan ng mga one liners." "Magaling siya talaga. And you know, the gift of wit is a sure sign of intelligence." "What makes Sharon so appealing? Her five-carat diamond earings ! Ha- Ha-Ha ! Seriously, what I like most about her is her simplicity." "I've had the chance to see her when she is not a star, the actress. I've seen her through her worst (sad) and best (happy) times. I've seen the real Sharon which can be summed up by the word: simplicity." "And to think that she's, well, very rich. That's her biggest handicap, I guess, her wealth. It's because people can't seem to look beyond that and see her for who she really is." Rich ye, but in spirit.
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"Directed her for one or two shooting days in Biktima, when Lino Brocka had to leave for the Cannes. She was very cooperative."