Image: Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
Amid the criticisms received by her brother Chet, who is running for Pasay City mayor in the upcoming midterm elections, Megastar Sharon Cuneta recounted the greatest lesson she learned from her best friend, “Da King” Fernando Poe Jr. (FPJ): “Separate politics from personal relationships.”
Cuneta recalled the talk she had with the action star in 2004, the year FPJ ran for the presidential elections, as seen on her Instagram post on Saturday, Nov. 24. Cuneta’s husband, Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, was then “working for the administration/President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo” who was FPJ’s opponent.
“I was pregnant with Miel and in a way I was thankful that no one could expect me to go around campaigning for anyone,” she wrote. She was finally able to talk to FPJ on the phone on election day.
“Klatput (our nickname for each other), you worry about yourself and your baby — do not worry about me,” Cuneta remembered FPJ telling her the words which will forever be etched in her heart. “Remember Klatput — this is just politics. And when all this is over, we will still be friends. I love you. See you soon.”
Not long after, FPJ passed away. Still, the action star remains “one of the best human beings and greatest men” Cuneta has ever known.
“That is why I know how to separate politics from personal relationships,” Cuneta stated. “No one is perfect. Opinions may differ between friends, family. But we are all individuals with freedom of will and must respect one another.”
“Thank you to you all who understand how very hard it is for someone like me to have to (Always, it seems. I don’t know why.) be in the middle of disagreeing factions and groups involving people close to me one way or another,” she said. “I am sorry. There simply are things beyond my control.” JB
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