Towards the end of Sharon Cuneta's birthday concert last Tuesday, January 14, at the Araneta Coliseum, a group of the Megastar's close friends marched onstage to say their greetings.
Among them was comedian turned Quezon City Councilor Roderick Paulate, whom Sharon hasn't seen for a long time.
Roderick admitted that his busy schedule does not permit him to see Sharon regularly. The birthday concert, however, was an exemption.
"Pag si Sharon may birthday, walang hindrance. Nagsasama-sama tayo," Roderick said. Sharon's other friends on the stage—Bayani Agbayani, Direk Joey Reyes, Direk John D. Lazatin, and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista—nodded in agreement.
Sharon Cuneta, the country's Megastar, started her showbiz career since she was 12 years old. And 33 years later, Sharon stills burns bright in the entertainment business, earning many loyal fans along her way to greatness.
In gratitude for all the support she had been given, Sharon presents an annual birthday concert in Araneta Colisseum. For one night, she performs all the songs her fans love to hear.
But the birthday concert last January 11 was a little different. Instead of Sharon performing all the musical numbers, she chose to stay on the sidelines at times to watch other artists perform instead. Most of her musical numbers, moreover, were duets or performances with groups.
The concert started at 8:45 p.m. with a dance number by Sharon and dance group G-Force. While dancing, Sharon sang along to Kelly Rowland's "Commander."
"I welcome you to my birthday concert this year!" Sharon greeted the audience after the dance performance.
"Tatanda na naman ako!" added Sharon. "Pero mabuti nang tumanda kaysa mamatay nang bata."
GUEST STARS. Sharon's co-hosts were Eric Santos, Zanjoe Marudo, and K Brosas. The three helped keep the concert's energy high in between performances. The concert was also being recorded for a TV special in ABS-CBN, so there was an average gap of 10 minutes in between performances.
Other guest stars included young male stars Nel Gomez, Sam Concepcion, Jaco Benin, Paul Salas, Young JV, Makisig Morales, Robi Domingo, Enchong Dee, and Enrique Gil, who all sang and danced along to Usher's "Somebody to Love" and "Eenie Meenie" by Sean Kingston.
Young female stars Shaina Magdayao, Andi Eigenmann, Empress Schuck, Maja Salvador, and Iya Villania also danced to LMFAO's "Shots."
Sharon's comedic friends Chokoleit, Manny Castañeda, Fanny Serrano, and Pooh performed a funny skit. Similarly, the segment that featured modern versions of classic Filipino songs, as performed by Mitch Valdes, Randy Santiago, and Pilita Corrales, was funny.
Pairs who sang duets included Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros, Piolo Pascual and KC Concepcion, Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga, and Jericho Rosales and Karylle.
Singers who performed their own interpretations of Sharon's hits included Nina, Gloc 9, Sitti, Yeng Constantino, and Jovit Baldivino.
Sharon sang duets with her favorite male singers—Eric Santos, Nyoy Volante, Bugoy Drilon, Christian Bautista, Richard Poon, Jed Madela, Jay Durias, and Randy Santiago—and an impromptu duet with surprise guest Cesar Montano, as well as a rock medley number with Billy Crawford and RJ Ledesma.
SPECIAL NUMBERS. Two seemingly death-defying numbers enthralled audiences. In one, KC Concepcion and Sam Milby danced in the air, suspended only by strips of thin red curtains.
In another, Ai-Ai delas Alas danced on a big metal rung, ending the number by hanging upside-down.
Other special numbers in the concert included Sharon's duet with Sarah Geronimo, who she said she supports unconditionally. Sharon also performed with Lani Misalucha, a singer whose first TV guesting was in Sharon's talk show in the 90's.
A song number with the final five contestants of Star Power, Sharon's reality singing search on ABS-CBN, was inspiring. Sharon showed the audience why she's very proud of the contestants that she mentored—Krissel Valdez, Akiko Solon, Monica Sacay, K-La Rivera, and Angeline Quinto.
Throughout the concert, Sharon's family—husband Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, mother Elaine, and daughters KC, Frankie, Miel—were sitting in the audience to watch her. They also joined the Megastar onstage at the end of the concert to give her a bouquet of flowers, a material symbol of their overflowing support.
The concert ended at past midnight, but her loyal fans know it would not be the last. The support and love Sharon gets from her family, fans, and friends will carry her a long way ahead once more.