SHARON CUNETA BIOGRAPHY
SHARON GAMBOA CUNETA was born on January 6, 1966. Her father was the former Mayor of Pasay, Pablo Cuneta and her mother is Eileen Gamboa, the sister of actress Helen Gamboa.
She is dubbed as, "The one and only MEGASTAR in Phillippine Showbiz."
She first appeared on Philippine pop charts in 1978, as a 12 year old, singing the tune "Mr. D.J." The tune became wildly popular and earned her the title of "D.J.'s Pet." She became the first "movie soundtrack star" in the country. Also making her the youngest singing sensation. Many of her early soundtrack hits were for movies of her idol and former neighbor, Vilma Santos. With the youngster singing about a song about bigamy, entitled "Tubig At Langis" (Water and Oil), it's no wonder that the sweet innocent voice appealed to the "masa crowd" (the masses).
Her first movie was produced by Viva Films which was built by her father for her. Sharon was the first artist to be launched in Philippine Movies professionally. At age 15, she starred in her first feature film, 1981 Dear Heart paired with fellow teeny-bopper Gabby Concepcion. After Dear Heart's success, it was followed by more than high grossing 50 films that she earned the title of "BOX-OFFICE QUEEN" in the country from 1985 thru 1993.
Her musical-variety show, T.S.C.S. "The Sharon Cuneta Show" is one of the longest running television shows in Philippine Showbiz from 1986 thru 1997 which offered refreshing song and dance numbers and intersected to lots of "chikahan" (talk). She started her hosting abilities with other teenage prodigies with shows like "G.M.A. Supershow" later called "Germspesyal" with German "Kuya Germs" Moreno and C.U.T.E. "Call Us Two For Entertainment" with her aunt, former actress Helen Gamboa.
Her commercial endorsements come to her hands from left to right. Making products like "MAC DOH" Mc Donalds, Alaska Milk and Eskinol (Skin Cleansing Whitener) sell through the roof. Journalists have touted her the star with the "Midas Touch". Just like King Midas, whatever Sharon touches turns to gold, making her the "Queen of Commercial Endorsements".
Known in Philippine entertainment as "THE MEGASTAR" (due to her wide range of talents and performances), Sharon is known to her fans by the more intimate Shawie. This apparent intimacy is bolstered by the fact that Cuneta, despite having a strong and clear singing voice, interacts with her fans like any regular red blooded Filipino, with the time honored tradition that everyone is part of the family. Her fan base runs all ages, with many of her fans being the children or even grandchildren of those teeners of years ago who bought her first records.
Three of Sharon's movies, touted by VIVA FILMS as "THE TALA TRILOGY", tala meaning star, gave much hope in time of government uncertainty. The focal point of these three movies was about reaching for your dreams at undeniable heights, just like reaching for the stars. One year after the Assasinantion of Ninoy Aquino in 1983 the "The Tala Trilogy" launched with insurmountable heights. 1984's "BUKAS LULUHOD ANG MGA TALA" (Tommorow The Stars Will Bow Down), 1985's "BITUING WALANG NINGNING" (Star Without Shimmer) and 1986's "SANA'Y WALA NANG WAKAS" (Hope It Won't End).
In 1985, one of her most loved movies hit the "takilyas" (box-office). It was on Valentine's Day that the movie, "Bituing Walang Ningning" (Star Without Shimmer) hit. "SHARONIANS" (loyal Sharon fans) waited in long lines to see how the movie would try to cover her and Gabby Concepcion's future KC. Along the making of the movie, the director suffered a heart attack trying to cover Sharon's tummy. Due to the fact, that her role was a teenage schoolgirl sampaguita (Philippine Jasmine) vendor. The movie produced one of Philippine Cinema's most famous line said by the movie's "kontrabida" (villaness), Cherie Gil. The immortal scene after Sharon's Dorina Pineda sings, "I Just Called To Say I Love You" happens with the famous line by Cherie's Lavinia Arguelles, "YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A SECOND-RATE, TRYING HARD, COPY CAT!" capping it off with a dramatic splashing of Dorina's face with a glass of water. Towards the finale of the cinematic commercial, one and only one had to realize in relinquishing the ultimate ambition of fame and fortune that she can also fall into the arms of the ultimate quest in life, love.
The Gabby-Sharon love team was the most popular love team in Philippine Movies during the 1980's. They later married, (Sharon at age 19) in a civil ceremony then a Chrurch wedding on September 23rd, 1984 with former President Ferdinand Marcos as Principal Sponsor (Ninong). Cuneta was married for a short time to actor Gabby Concepcion, with whom she was paired in Dear Heart. In April of 1985, Sharon gave birht to a daughter, Ma. Kristina Cassandra (KC), who has accompanied her mother on a number of songs and in concert, to the delight of Sharon's fans. KC's contribution even led to the re-release of the her mother's hit, "Starlight, Starbright," with KC singing counterpoint, and this version has surpassed the other in popularity, especially among international audiences who have watched her grow up.
Also more commonly know as "MEGA" in Pinoy Showbiz. Sharon is the first Filipina artist to sell out the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium first on Sept. 1990 and her latest June 11, 2005 concert. She sang to SRO (standing room only) crowds. Her poster is enshrined in the Shrine's Hall of Fame next to stars from Michael Jackson, Barbara Striesand and the Ballet Folklorico de Mexico. She created a traffic jam in the 90's and puzzled the former Mayor of Los Angeles Tom Bradley. After hearing of her success, the mayor attended the concert and awarded Sharon with an Honorary Key to the City of Los Angeles. After that, she hit the concert scene worldwide. She has been quoted, " Wherever there is a Filipino, I will be there."
She also had a duet in the 1990s with famous Hong Kong star Andy Lau, with whom she sang "In Your Eyes" as composed by Jim Brickman. It was rivaled by Regine Velasquez's duet with Hong Kong star, Jacky Cheung who was known throughout the Chinese music industry that time.
In 1996, she hit the "Grand Slam" in Philippine Movies. With her pairing with Christopher De Leon in the movie "Madrasta", she played the role of a loving stepmother. Not a typical "Madrasta" who is usually mean and ugly." Sharon became one of the rare actresses along with Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos to be awarded all the accolades given in local Philippine Cinema. Her "Grand Slam " includes: The Star Awards for Movies, People's Choice Award, The F.A.P. Film Academy of the Philippines, The Gawad URIAN given by the Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino and the F.A.M.A.S. Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences. The FAMAS Awards (famas meaning fame) is the Philippine Oscars and is the oldest Film Award in the Philippines and Asia since 1952.
Cuneta, is considered to be the 3rd actress after Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos to break the mold of the "mestiza look". A "Eurasian" (European-Asian) look that has loomed over Philippine Cinema for centuries. Writers and journalists have written, "If Sharon continued looking like here mother Elaine and Aunt Helen Gamboa, both former "mestiza actresses" I don't think she would appeal to the crowd as she does with her slight "tsinita features". She came in at the right time especially during the height and toppling of Martial Law in the Philippines. That also in Philippine Showbiz there needed to be a change of a leading lady. How beautiful and ironic that her first mestiza daughter KC is an exact carbon copy of her father Gabby Concepcion. No matter what, the beauty of a Filipina is in the eyes of the beholder, whether it be Tisay (light fair skin) or Morena (lite tan skin), Mestiza (half-breed) or Tsinita (slight Asian features).
Since 1998, Cuneta has been married to Senator Francis Pangilinan. Cuneta gave birth to Simone Francesca Emmanuelle (Frankie) in November 2000 and Mariel Daniella Sophia (Miel) in September 2004.
Sharon is one of the most featured artists on Internet broadcaster PhilRadio International, which has brought her even more acclaim from outside of the Filipino and Fil-Am communities.
In January, 2005 she returned with a show "Wish Upon A Mega" A 39th Birthday Celebration granting 39 well-wishers their dreams come true. It was co-hosted by award winning actors Piolo Pascual and Jericho Rosales.
In January 6th 2006, The Megastar returned with a 40th Birthday celebration on Channel 2's ABS-CBN entitled "Ang Pagbabalik Ng Bituin" roughly translated "The Return of the Star". The next month a new gab-fest sing talk show simply entitled "Sharon" was aired and still raking high ratings also thru ABS-CBN's global cable channel T.F.C. (The Filipino Channel).
· La Visa Loca (2005) .... Executive Producer
· Crying Ladies (2003) .... Stella Mate
· Kung Ako Na Lang Sana (2003) .... Emmy
· Walang Kapalit (2003) .... Joanne
· Magkapatid (2002) .... Cita
· Pagdating Ng Panahon (2001) .... Lynette
· Minsan, Minahal Kita (2000) .... Dianne
· Nang Iniwan Mo Ako (1997)
... aka When You Left Me (International: English title)
· Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba (1997)
· Madrasta (1996) .... Mariel
· The Lilian Velez Story (1995) .... Lilian Velez
· Minsan Pa (Kahit Konting Pagtingin 2) (1995)
... aka Kahit konting pagtingin Part 2 (Philippines: Tagalog title)
· Kapantay Ay Langit (1994)
· Megamol (1994) .... Cora
· Di Na Natuto (1993)
· Ikaw (1993)
· Kung Kailangan Mo Ako (1993) .... Diana
· Ngayon At Kailanman (1992) .... Ayra
· Pangako Sa 'Yo (1992)
· Tayong Dalawa (1992) .... Carol
· Biktima (1991) .... Becca
· Kaputol Ng Isang Awit (1991)
· Maging Sino Ka Man (1991) .... Diana
· Una Nang Naging Akin (1991)
· Kahit konting pagtingin (1990) .... Georgia
· Oras-Oras, Araw-Araw (1990) .... Chesa
· Bakit Ikaw Pa Rin? (1990)
· Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita (1989) .... Salve
· Kahit Wala Ka Na (1989) .... Irene
· Tatlong Mukha Ng Pag-ibig (1989)
· Jack And Jill Sa Amerika (1988) .... Jack
· Buy One, Take One (1988)
· Jack And Jill (1987) .... Jack
· Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin (1987) .... Maureen Andrada
· Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig (1987) .... Lupe Velez
· Walang Karugtong Ang Nakaraan (1987)
· Captain Barbell (1986) .... Darna
· Nakagapos Na Puso (1986) .... Elaine Fajardo
· Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas (1986) .... Bianca Eleazar
· Bituing Walang Ningning (1985) .... Dorina Pineda
· Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita (1985) .... Arra
· Pati Ba Pintig Ng Puso (1985) .... Jenna Griego
· Bukas Luluhod Ang Mga Tala (1984) .... Rebecca Rios
· Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin (1984) .... Myrna Salazar
· Sa Hirap At Ginhawa (1984) .... Cecille Zaragoza
· To Love Again (1983) .... Raffy Laperal
· Friends In Love (1983) .... Sara Tagle
· Forgive And Forget (1982).... Sandy Cortez
· Cross My Heart (1982).... Jenny
· My Only Love (1982)
· P.S. I Love You (1981).... Kristine Tuazon
· Dear Heart (1981) .... April Mondragon
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