Sharon Cuneta, a Filipina actress, singer and TV host known as the Megastar of Philippine entertainment is born Sharon Gamboa Cuneta on January 6, 1966. Her father, Pablo Cuneta was the former Mayor of Pasay City for four decades and her mother Eileen Gamboa is the sister of veteran actress Helen Gamboa known as ‘60s Shingaling Sweetheart. She is of Filipino, American and Spanish descent. Sharon, who is also known to her fans as Shawie, went to school at the International School Manila Makati Campus, Boston University and on the University of the Philippines – Open University.
Sharon Cuneta first stepped into the limelight in 1978, as a twelve year old girl singing the song Mr. DJ. The song became very popular and earned Sharon the title D.J.’s Pet and the young singing sensation in the country. At the age of 15 Sharon was the first artist to be launched in Philippine movies professionally. Her first feature film was Dear Heart which was released in 1981 and paired with Gabby Conception. After the success of the movie it was followed by more than 50 highest grossing films that made her earn the title Box Office Queen of Philippine Showbiz from 1985 to 1993. Sharon’s musical variety show The Sharon Cuneta Show (T.S.C..S) is one of the longest running television shows in the Philippine Show business which aired for twelve long years.
She was also known as the Queen of Commercial Endorsements making commercials like MAC DOH for Mc Donalds, Alaska Milk and Eskinol. Her endorsements of these products increased its sales in the market making her one of the highest paid and most effective Filipino celebrity endorser. Sharon successfully starred in almost 53 starring roles, 10 television shows and 40 recording albums making her one of The Most Successful Filipina Actress. She has won many awards one of which is winning the Best actress award in The Brussels International Film Festival for the movie Crying Ladies. Sharon moved to TV 5 and signed a 1 Billion contract with the Kapatid Network becoming the highest ever paid Filipino artist after parting ways with ABS-CBN her managing network for almost 24 years.
Her love team with then matinee idol Gabby Conception was the most popular love team in Philippine movies in the 1980’s. Sharon at the age of nineteen married Gabby in a civil ceremony then followed by a church wedding in September 23, 1984 with former President Marcos as one of the principal sponsors. In 1985 she gave birth to daughter Ma.Kristina Cassandra popularly known as KC, a Filipina actress and commercial model. The couple separated in 1987 and was annulled in 1993. Sharon is currently married to Senator Kiko Pangilinan and has two daughters, Simone Francesca Emmanuelle (Frankie) born on November 2000 and Mariel Daniella Sophia (Miel) born in September 2004.The couple also has an adopted son.
