(Except for very few, all written here are from my own resource. I did not copy from other articles although 1% google just to confirm the numbers that I mentioned in this writing.)
Today, I would like to be “be-showbiz” in this merry-go-round and topsy-turvy but engaging world of local show business entertainment by paying respect to this unique and distinguished artist. This may look-like an excerpt tabloid from a showbiz columnist but this is my own writing to disclose how much I like this artist as a performer (and in personal life). And I chose on this not ordinary day just in time of her 52nd birthday. If there is one actor that I really admired, followed and supported, it must be Sharon Cuneta only, dubbed as the Philippines’ Megastar. The millennial may not witnessed the great record and valued contribution of Sharon in movie, television and recording industry but they have to consider that Sharon will not be dubbed the Megastar for nothing and it has to be note that after her era of dominating the showbiz industry, no one among the new, younger and famous actresses have surpassed or even duplicated her legacy and record.
I was a silent fan who started following Sharon during her early movies. Although I was not able to follow her career from the very beginning, I was able to trace it back and found how she came to be at the time I admired her not only as a young star but also her personal traits that reflect on her in public appearances. Raised to stardom in the 80’s, Sharon Cuneta actually started in show business in 1978 as child singer. But prior to that, she used to do cameo role for her actress auntie’s movie and T.V appearance in children show. Unknown to some people, Sharon’s very first single was actually “Tawag ng Pag-Ibig” but it was in this smash hit and phenomenal “Mr. D.J.” record when she rocked the radio and music industry. Enough to call her the young singing sensation, received gold award, became every household name and earned the moniker D.J.’s Pet, subsequently launched her first album with the same title. And the rest of the following records and albums were hit after hit that made her the Jukebox Princess.
In 1981, Sharon tried mild shift from singing to acting, a tough decision that is critical in showbiz industry because it is not guarantee for a famous singer to be equally famous as an actor or vice versa. But Sharon broke this showbiz myth when she was successfully launched in her debut film “Dear Heart” that was an instant blockbuster. The star is born, the next films were sure hits making her the hottest teen star. Sharon accepted concerts and her popularity easily filled the venues like the big dome Araneta Coliseum. Doing the recording and acting at the same time, Sharon still managed to do her own television shows like “C.U.T.E.”, “Okay Sha” and then later hosting a solo musical variety show which is her forte via “The Sharon Cuneta Show”. She showed intelligent hosting job with her eloquence, no nonsense talk, nice conversant who can speak with all types of people and wit to handle the conversation. From poor little rich girl roles, Sharon has matured and played rugs to riches roles melodrama, and has evolved into fine actress and shortly bagged Best Actress Awards from different award-giving bodies. Sharon broke another myth that acting award is jinx, but then, Sharon managed to sustain success in her chosen field. Along this, she was named “Box Office Queen” for several years (she eventually elevated Hall of Famer), won music awards, performed concerts in and out of the country. This established her status and reputation in the industry. You can never have both career and love, and in showbiz there is another myth that any actor who got married losses popularity and career. Not for Sharon, when she got married on September 23, 1984 in Manila Cathedral, Sharon became even more popular.
The 90’s, Sharon was the country’s most expensive and effective celebrity products endorser, the hottest, biggest, number one, top performing artist and highest paid actress on her generation. These without question sealed her prime, exclusive and respected status as the Philippine’s Megastar. She was a record-breaker, breaking her own records, beating any star-studded movies fit against her solo starer whether local of foreign films. Sharon was the only actress whose films an go side by side with the King of Philippine movie. Her over popular fame put her in pedestal to the point that even her name was written in lyrics of OPM song. Her move "Madrasta" gave her the elusive Grand Slam Queen for winning Best Actress from all award-giving bodies. She became the dreamed leading lady of every actors and action stars saying any action star's career is not complete without working with Sharon. She was practically the queen for topping the entertainment industry with her certified blockbuster movies, gold and platinum awards, consistent high-rating TV show, left and right TV commercials and out of town shows. She has reached her best days during the 80's and 90's and she had ups and down but to sum it up, for decades she had the best of times in this local show business industry.
To date, Sharon has starred in 53 successful movies all were starring roles. Sharon is an actress who never cast in any smorgasbord movies to ensure the marketability of the film. She did guest appearances in some movies not for talent fee but for support. Given the fact that the country’s inflation rate and the population have gone so high from Sharon’s era up to this millennium, Sharon’s box office films still can be one of the country’s highest gross films of all time. The greatest reputation of Sharon is her tremendous popularity in the history of Philippines showbiz where she was idolized by Filipino mass. Her legacy as movie queen of 80’s will remain unprecedented. She is the champion of the mass. The space of this writing is not enough to describe her success in all fields that she has chosen. Today, Sharon is an icon. She is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, singer and TV host in the history of Philippines show business.
The 90’s, Sharon was the country’s most expensive and effective celebrity products endorser, the hottest, biggest, number one, top performing artist and highest paid actress on her generation. These without question sealed her prime, exclusive and respected status as the Philippine’s Megastar. She was a record-breaker, breaking her own records, beating any star-studded movies fit against her solo starer whether local of foreign films. Sharon was the only actress whose films an go side by side with the King of Philippine movie. Her over popular fame put her in pedestal to the point that even her name was written in lyrics of OPM song. Her move "Madrasta" gave her the elusive Grand Slam Queen for winning Best Actress from all award-giving bodies. She became the dreamed leading lady of every actors and action stars saying any action star's career is not complete without working with Sharon. She was practically the queen for topping the entertainment industry with her certified blockbuster movies, gold and platinum awards, consistent high-rating TV show, left and right TV commercials and out of town shows. She has reached her best days during the 80's and 90's and she had ups and down but to sum it up, for decades she had the best of times in this local show business industry.
To date, Sharon has starred in 53 successful movies all were starring roles. Sharon is an actress who never cast in any smorgasbord movies to ensure the marketability of the film. She did guest appearances in some movies not for talent fee but for support. Given the fact that the country’s inflation rate and the population have gone so high from Sharon’s era up to this millennium, Sharon’s box office films still can be one of the country’s highest gross films of all time. The greatest reputation of Sharon is her tremendous popularity in the history of Philippines showbiz where she was idolized by Filipino mass. Her legacy as movie queen of 80’s will remain unprecedented. She is the champion of the mass. The space of this writing is not enough to describe her success in all fields that she has chosen. Today, Sharon is an icon. She is a multi-awarded Filipino actress, singer and TV host in the history of Philippines show business.
All these beautiful writings about Sharon’s career that I have written are as good as my impression on her personality. I may not know her nor even with her in real life but what I see are the main reason of my admiration for Sharon. This is not fanaticism because I can still criticize the girl and I stand for it but I would still love the good sides of her. Sharon was born with silver spoon, raised the convenience in a private village in Makati, attended to an exclusive Catholic school in Pasig, and daddy’s girl of a City Mayor father and yet these did not mold her to a spoiled brat rich kid. But despite of coming from a well-off family, Sharon’s charisma to the general public wins because Sharon is such a humble person. She is down to earth and genuine person. For me she was never hypocrite and finicky as what her critics throw on her. It takes one to know, for that I know she is not. Her good breeding is nice model to people and this won me to look up this artist. Her love to her craft, fans and character of a good daughter and artist made me liked her like no other actors. Though she’s from a good family but whatever she has now, wherever she goes, she really worked hard every cents of it. Her dedication and perseverance to reach her star are unparalleled and for this she is worth to admire and really deserved to be respected. Young artists will come and go but Philippines show business will not have new Sharon as successful as, as good as and as same as Sharon because there will be only one Sharon Cuneta in the history of Philippines’ show business.
No comments:
Post a Comment