Megastar Sharon Cuneta has once again celebrated her "mega" birthday with her loyal fans commonly called Sharonians. Through a concert dubbed as "Songs of My Heart," the showbiz icon reminisced the old songs that became part of her life last night, January 9, at the Araneta Coliseum, in Quezon City.
While looking back at these memorable songs, Sharon shared the spotlight with her close friends in showbiz, her favorite celebrities, and, of course, her family. And to help her introduce each performer, Sharon's former co-host in The Sharon Cuneta show Bayani Agbayani and her "pare" in Jack and Jill, Edu Manzano, stayed with her throughout the event.
THE SHARON CUNETA SHOW. Fans started screaming as the singer-actress appeared on stage singing a medley of her all-time classic songs such as "Pangarap na Bituin," "Bituing Walang Ningning," and "Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas."
But the Megastar didn't want to go sentimental all the way on her birthday concert, so she declared, "Party mood naman tayo!" And then she sang and danced to Rihanna's original song "Don't Stop the Music."
Next came the Kapamilya balladeers Mark Bautista, Christian Bautista, and Erik Santos who performed a duet with Sharon by singing songs that deeply touch the heart, like "Somewhere Down the Road," "The Old Songs," and "If I Should Love Again."
The Star Magic artists kept the audience alive with their dance number. The group was composed of Rayver Cruz, Maja Salvador, Shaina Magdayao, Rodjun Cruz, Thou Reyes, and Enchong Dee.
The female audience filled the Big Dome with their high-pitched screams when the members of the all-male singing group Coverboys—Victor Basa, Rafael Rosell, and Jon Avila—who were all topless joined the groupby doing a sexy dance.
FAVORITE SHOWBIZ PERSONALITIES. Sharon's energy got a boost when she performed with the Queen of Comedy Ai-Ai delas Alas. Together they sang and danced to the rhythm of "I Will Survive" and "No More Tears."
If the birthday girl admitted that she got tired after their performance, the Ang Tanging Ina N'yong Lahat star maintained the high energy until the end. "Okay lang ako, ang lakas ng tama ko ngayon!" Ai-Ai told Edu and Bayani as she found her way out of the stage.
The party mood continued when Sharon reminisced with the '80s songs, the decade which was considered the golden years of her career. This has also became a surprise for her because her good friends in showbiz industry came out on the stage. Among the close friends that made Sharon happy last night were Roderick Paulate and Nova Villa, and cousin Ciara Sotto.
While singing the theme song of the '80s movie Bagets, "Just Got Lucky" by Jo Boxers, Sharon's favorite bagets celebrities joined her on stage. Among them were Kim Chiu, Jake Cuenca, John Prats, Jayson Gainza, and Sam Milby.
The fun and entertainment continued with Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano and son Gabriel, the newest frontman of American band Journey Arnel Pineda, Rachelle Ann Go, Ely Buendia and his band Pupil, Sarah Geronimo, and Piolo Pascual.
Comedians Candy Pangilinan, Pooh, and Chokoleit showed the audience three examples of true-blooded Sharonians in a short skit.
Long-time friends like Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gino Padilla, and Lorna Tolentino, wife of the late Rudy Fernandez, also showed up. They offered the birthday girl some Rey Valera songs: "Sinasamba Kita," "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako," and "Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko."
Other showbiz people close to Sharon who failed to make it to the concert greeted the Megastar through video. Among the celebrities who gave their wishes were Vilma, Santos, Christopher de Leon, Judy Ann Santos, Willie Revillame, ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, and the comedy trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto, and Joey de Leon.
But the most exciting video message, which not everyone inside the Big Dome expected, was the birthday greeting of Sharon's ex-husband Gabby Concepcion. The actor is currently on vacation in California, but still managed to give his simple "happy birthday" message to his former screen partner and wife, Sharon.
The show would not be complete, of course, without the performance of Sharon and Gabby's daughter KC Concepcion. Last year she did an amazing stunt while doing a theatrical performance. This time she made a dramatic rendition of Rihanna's "Disturbia" with a touch of violet in every prop and costume. According to fortune tellers, violet is one of the lucky colors in 2009.
To wrap up the evening, Sharon sang one final "song of her heart" while sentimental photos from her past movies and television projects were being shown at the background. Her husband Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan joined her on stage, with lovely daughters Frankie and Miel, who gave her flowers and a sweet ‘I love you.'
The full "mega birthday concert" of Sharon Cuneta will be aired on January 11, at 11:00 p.m. on ABS-CBN.