have never met any movie star who is as lovable as Sharon Cuneta. In more than twenty years I have spent in showbiz as a movie writer, her enigma has never appeared to me as a put-on despite lingering impressions in the biz that Shawie plays beside her schemes.

Call it diplomacy marked by good breeding, who says that being brutally frank is synonymous to it?

I will never forget that night at Saisaki West when Shawie opened her arms to me, and said, “Please, join the clique, Archie! I'm telling you, I can be a good friend.”

With the other scribes close to the Megastar, I never felt like an outsider. On those days, when I was still trying to throw my weight around the Viva Films headquarters in Sct. Albano Street , to establish camaraderie and connections with people, Sharon was already a sight to behold. Her smile usually brightens up a seemingly dull moment. When everyone else just minds his or her own business.

A VERY PROMISING START

What's this, confessions of a “closet” Sharonian coming out in the open just now? Tell me, who was not magnetized by the charms of that pubescent 12 year-old, while starting her promising singing career? The first time I saw Sharon on Student Canteen, a very popular noontime TV show, while promoting her first single entitled Tawag Ng Pag-ibig, my instincts pointed to early signs of stardom.

I still remember, she wasn't using her surname. It was just simply Sharon , and the public was like guessing where she came from. But, of course, weeks later, she was doing those TV rounds for Mr. DJ, her second but first big airwaves hit ever, and she was being introduced as Sharon Cuneta.

It rang a bell, of course. Cuneta of Pasay City's political arena, her dad, being one of the most influential icons in public service… the daughter of Pablo Cuneta, former Mayor who served his people for more than twenty years before retirement. But, during those times, I was a mere spectator from the outside looking in.

I don't know exactly what triggered this immense fondness of Sharon . At first, I thought, she was one of those rich kids from Dasmariñas Village who wanted to use fame as part of her whims and hobby. I grew up with Sharon being the ultimate idol of the generation. She was the type who grows in you. It was difficult to resist such an appeal.

When Dear Heart was shown in the early 80s, my classmates and I cut classes just to be able to sneak in ACT Theater in Cubao for the much-awaited first day screening of the memorable blockbuster hit. We were still in our high school uniforms, carrying our books, and the magic of her fairy tale romance with Gabby Concepcion has inspired us as we went back to our classes the next day, unmindful of the penalty which resulted from our delinquent act.

Indeed, it was quite clear. Sharon 's own “princess diaries” were left open for the public who has undoubtedly sided with her. For a girl like her, born with a golden spoon on her mouth, can still suffer and go through agonies despite enormous fame. This is the basic formula that made Sharon Cuneta attain MEGASTARDOM, in an incredibly fast but durable pace.

A GENUINE A-1 STAR

The Midas' Touch has never failed her. Luck is distinct to big stars like Sharon . Despite hard work and all the trimmings that go with stardom, I always believe, through the years of being exposed to various showbiz eccentricities -- Stars are born, not made.

One can make artificial sensations through well-oiled machinery. All the hype in this world can be utilized to form waves, but in due time, these will just turn back into tiny ripples as superficially reigns. Everything else goes to oblivion.

A lot of showbiz cynics then, who were obviously anti-Sharon or anti-Viva, pointed out that the Megastar was just a product of hype, a hard sell. When during the ‘80s, the prevailing system then was to invest millions just to ensure a successful star build-up.

Let the people choose. If there's one who stands out among the rest, a major studio has to maximize its efforts geared toward that particular star. Through such process, defying the odds will not make a hype of a newcomer. Sharon has proven that.

The system could have pampered and prompted Sharon to attain her Megastar status but it's not an assurance that the whole process may also work for the others. It's just like saying that not anybody can just be hyped and consequently become a big star. And if they become big stars, will they go on through the years? Will they leave a legacy that makes legends out of big stars? And that's transcending to a different level, which is not always possible.

Sharon 's Megastar power was uprooted from a near impossible feat. You may believe it or not. Calling it a phenomenon is an understatement. It was carefully studied, all right, but in this world, not everything falls on the right place and time.

It is in Sharon 's destiny to become a Megastar. Everything has fitted in almost perfectly. Period.

CERTIFIED NEWSMAKER

Controversies and scandals are staples that go with stardom. Plenty of these make Sharon an incessamt newsmaker. Suffice it to say that everything about her is of never-ending public interest -- from the trivial to the most intriguing.

Her liaisons with Gabby Conception, from the courtship phase to the much-celebrated wedding that, according to Sharon herself, turned out to be a nightmare of a circus. Until splitsville.

KC, their daughter, has been a celebrity, being a most sought-after image endorse. Recently, KC went to the U.S. to meet her dad after a long time. Prompting the press to conclude that KC is maybe in for something grand and more personal, like wedding plans.

KC has been based in Paris , France for years now, which can be a way to keep her out of the limelight and public scrutiny. Her own love life and possible affairs have been kept secret. Despite tempting offers for KC to follow her mom's footsteps of becoming an outright public property, she chose to guard her privacy in near seclusion.

But, the Megastar factor will never spare her other Mega daughters too, like Frankie and Miel, heiresses apparent to Sharon 's reported multi-million assets.

To avoid being driven to this “marriage-for-convenience” maze, before Francis Pangilinan tied the knots with Sharon , the struggling politician then who was elected Senator allegedly signed a pre-nuptial agreement. And the marriage was not without oppositions. Many cynics reportedly foretold that they would not last long but alas, all the nasty talks just helped in making the faoundations of Sharon 's married life stronger. Indeed, cast doubts on her marriage, but Sharon has been very transparent. The happiness in her is unrelenting, and it shows through her endeavors be it on the personal or professional side.

ROMANCE HEROINE

The men in Sharon 's life took the side street to pursue their own callings. I can still remember a certain Jude Aguilar who came into the picture after Gabby, but Charlie Cojuangco who eventually married Rio Diaz before the former beauty queen succumbed to cancer was on Sharon 's side while mending a broken heart then.

Pre-Gabby days were highlighted by Rowell Santiago's emergence that provided glorious romance with Sharon as they teamed up in movies like Cross My Heart and Friends in Love, Rowell, now more recognized as a TV director, remains single.

And there was Albert Martinez, who, before attempting to elope with Snooky Serna and ironically marrying Liezl Sumilang instead, was linked to Sharon . Gabby could have not gotten into the picture if Albert's romance with Sharon developed.

One of the most colorful phases in Sharon 's love life is the chapter involving Richard Gomez. They got closer on the set of Buy One, Take One and since then, they eventually started a turbulent affair, much to the dismay of Sharon 's dad, who was reportedly opposing to the match.

Despite their happy togetherness, Sharon and Richard faced the fact that they were not meant for each other. They parted ways with a string of box-office hits to their credit as a big screen tandem -- Minsan, Minahal Kita, Ngayon at Kailanman, and Walang Kapalit.

FOREVER INSPIRING

Not to mention the recognitions and the respect she has earned in the industry, Sharon remains one of the most powerful, continuously commanding millions for just even a single deal.

Even if some of her contemporaries are still around, there's no doubt that Sharon 's megastardom is the ultimate yardstick of genuine success.

Modesty aside, Sharon won't be happy to discuss and analayze her leaps on thematerial level. She has been thanking almost everybody, every little beautiful thing that comes her way, she considers a blessing through these years.

But, at the end of the day, it's still the innate goodness in her as a person that emerges as her most valuable achievement. For where Sharon is right now, she has reached determination, without stepping on anybody's toes.

Unintentionally hurting other people in the course of her showbiz struggles, her humility surfaces. That's why she keeps soaring up high never forgetting to look down from where she came from.

She may not be perfect, but come to think of it, she tries to be. One broken marriage is enough. She keeps a stronger and united one now. She has had a string of hits. She experiences some lows and blows. She rolls with the punches. And for every defeat, a triumph rises.

Sharon can be life personified. That's why she continues to inspire.

For in the ‘biz, objectivity must rule despite personal biases. There's nothing to be ashamed of.

I am a Sharonian. I rest my case. Out of the “closet”.

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