MEGASTAR Sharon Cuneta grew up in a political family. Her father Pablo Cuneta served as the mayor of Pasay City for four decades across multiple non-consecutive terms. Sharon’s husband Francis Pangilinan and her uncle Tito Sotto (husband of her mother Elaine’s sister Helen) both currently seat as a Senator.
With her huge popularity, Sharon would have scored the easiest win in any electoral race at any given time. She is intelligent, smart, has the appeal for the masses, and is more than wise and wealthy to gather the best people to work in her office if she wanted to. But she never liked, never wished, never wanted to be a politician. Time and again, she’d be asked to run for political office, but she has consistently said no.
Recently, Sharon was again asked the same question and her quick-witted reply was: ‘I would consider running…away from politics. Tatakbo ako palayo.’ She said this with so much conviction, adding, ‘I will never have the stomach for it.’ This kind of coherent firmness is commendable.
With almost 50 glorious years as an entertainer, Sharon knows deep in her core that being a performing artist is what she does best, and what makes her happiest. ‘I literally grew up in this business. I fell in love, had my heartaches, endeared myself to people, got betrayed by people, established friendships, got married, separated, got married again, had children, all of my colorful life’s milestones, the inevitable ups and downs-all happened while I was in show business, and I’m still in this journey up to now. I am blessed beyond words and I am grateful that I continue to love this industry that I am, and I choose to be, part of.’
Sharon, who turned 60 earlier this year, is back on the Prime Video streaming platform with the upcoming release of the limited drama series Honor Thy Mother, described as a fitting follow-up to the successful series Saving Grace, her first outing with Prime Video last year. After its exclusive streaming release, the series will be shown on GMA.
For this one, Sharon gives life to a top, almost untouchable corporate executive whose routinary, tranquil life is jolted when her long-lost daughter (played by the wonderful Barbie Forteza) shows up and shakes the very core of her foundation both as a business magnate and as a person.
‘I was so happy when I learned that I will be doing this project with Barbie. And while we were working on this, I realized that I so, so, so love her and I think she is one amazing actress. I also love my other baby, Khalil Ramos, and both of them will definitely surprise the viewers with their evocative and transformative performances,’ said Sharon.
She added, ‘This series is different in a way that it is not usually done in Philippine dramas, [where the] protagonist is usually sweet, you know, always the damsel in distress. Here, we’re both feisty-and for good reasons. And in a way, it’s changing for the better and I hope it contributes to the accolades for Filipino drama.’ Sharon Cuneta is certainly at the top tier of showbiz hierarchy, and she has been there for some time now because she has worked hard for it and has made very good decisions in her career. She certainly does not need anything, especially politics, to alter that.