Sharon appeals to Duterte to renew ABS-CBN franchise for the sake of thousands of employees
Sharon Cuneta
One of Sharon Cuneta’s birthday wishes is for President Rodrigo Duterte to reconsider his stand on ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal for the sake of thousands of employees of the network.
Sharon, who celebrated her 54th birthday last Jan. 6, shared her birthday wishes with reporters during the renewal of her contract with ABS-CBN on Thursday afternoon.
The President has repeatedly said he would block the passage of a law that would renew ABS-CBN’s franchise because of its failure to air his political advertisements during the 2016 presidential elections, among other things. The Kapamilya network’s franchise is set to expire in March this year.
“(Those) who have remained loyal to the station, grown up here, have learned from the school of hard knocks here, have become family, good friends, will lose almost everything they’ve built over the years,” Sharon said, in justifying her appeal.
“And even those who might choose to stay, if indeed it unfortunately goes that way, it won’t be the same,” she continued. “So I hope in my heart that our dear President reconsiders the thousands and thousands of employees who have grown up here, learn the ropes here, and that includes me.”
As for her other wishes on her special day, the actress said: “For my family, it would have to be peace. I also wish for love, good health, devotion, family loyalty and closeness… And for my fans to continue supporting my projects.”
For the coming year, Sharon is expecting to do two TV shows (“Your Face Sounds Familiar” and a teleserye), seven new films (to be produced by different film outfits) and two concert tours abroad (one of which will be in May with Regine Velasquez).
Missing KC
On the same occasion, the Megastar lamented that her eldest daughter, KC Concepcion, has not been showing up in important gatherings at home and have been conspicuously absent during her birthday celebration.
“I don’t know what’s happening to my daughter. I miss her,” Sharon said.
The Megastar (left) with daughter KC Concepcion
“Social media is not really a good platform to express your feelings, especially if you’re a public figure. I just posted my greeting to my daughter because her explanation for her absence on my birthday special in ‘Asap’ was also posted on social media,” the actress said, explaining her lengthy and highly emotional letter to KC on her Instagram account a few days ago.She said she felt sad that she didn’t even get a personal message from KC. “It’s not like her. I’m worried about her… I know that she will get in touch with us soon… It all boils down to a mother missing her daughter,” she declared.
Sharon said she did not even know that KC wouldn’t show up at their home on New Year’s Eve or the following day. It has been a tradition since KC was born, she added. “I was just worried about what she might be going through. I guess it’s because she’s older. As we grow older, maybe we feel less need to consult with our parents. But in our family—I’ve also gone through this while growing up—we still have to give our parents the respect of letting them know where we are, how we are and who we are with,” Sharon pointed out.
She added that she didn’t want to know about what’s happening in her eldest daughter’s life only from newspapers. “God forbid! What if there’s an accident? I’d go crazy! She’s my kid!” Sharon said.
This was why Sharon was also visibly surprised when reporters asked her reaction to the rumor that KC is dating American-Filipino rapper and record producer apl.de.ap, who is best known as the member of the hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas.“That’s a surprise to me so I don’t know what to say,” the Megastar said. “I have a lot of respect for apl. He is a good person. I just wish I had heard it from her, if it was true.”
Sharon continued: “KC is in her 30s and has her own life to live. All I’m asking for is her time for the family… I just know that I did not raise any bad children.” INQ
