Sharon Cuneta. Image: Instagram/@sthanlee via @sharoncunetanetwork
Sharon Cuneta could not help but compare the practices of this generation’s celebrities with those of Megastar’s era, particularly in showing respect to senior artists, as she recalled running into several young celebrities who walked past her without even smiling at her.
The veteran actress-singer talked about her long years in show business in a vlog interview with comedian Ogie Diaz, as seen on Cuneta’s YouTube channel on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
“Tayong old school, kaming mga nagsimula nung araw pa, ‘pag merong senior sa aming artista kahit ‘di kami kilala, lalapitan namin—’Magandang hapon po. Ako po si Sharon, bago po akong singer,” Cuneta stated. “Kasi nasa-star struck ka rin, pero paggalang ‘yon.”
(We old school people who entered [show business] long ago would approach senior artists even if they did not know us and greet them, “Hello, I am Sharon. I am a new singer.” Because even when you are star-struck by them, [you should still] show respect.)
Cuneta then narrated some of her encounters with younger celebrities, lamenting how they seem to have forgotten to show respect to their fellow artists, especially those who have been in the industry long before them.
“Meron kasing nakakalungkot—minsan nasasalubong namin noon sa [ABS-CBN] corridor. Pagdaan [nila] feeling ko, ‘Kamag-anak kaya ni boss Gabby ‘yon?'” she said, referring to former ABS-CBN Chairman Gabby Lopez. “Parang Lopez kung umarte, daig pa ‘yung mga Lopez. Si Don (Geny) nga bumabati kahit sa janitor.”
(What’s sad is that—I often ran into [celebrities] in the ABS-CBN corridor. They would just walk past me so [I would ask myself], “Are they boss Gabby’s relatives?” They act as if they are the Lopezes when Don Geny greets even the janitors.)
“‘Yung mga bata ngayon, makasalubong mo lang face to face, parang [‘yung] dinaanan nila poste lang,” she continued. “Hindi naman ako nag-eexpect ng anything, just a little (smile and nod). ‘Yung parang kahit walang hello, smile lang.”
(The young celebrities now, even if you come across them face to face, it would seem that they just walked past a post. I do not expect anything but just a little smile and nod. They do not need to say hello, just a smile will do.)
When Diaz asked who the celebrities she was referring to, the Megastar opted not to name anyone in particular, but she noted, “Marami over the years—totoo.” ([I have encountered] a lot over the years—it’s true.)
“Minsan talaga ang feeling ko tuloy, ‘Pader ba ako? Pumayat na ako ‘di ba?'” she quipped. “Kasi kami nga, hindi gano’n.” (Sometimes I [ask myself], “Do I look like a wall? I have already lost weight, right?” Because we do not act like that.)
In November last year, Cuneta opened up about being “exhausted” and hinted about contemplating retirement from show business. Despite this, she still expressed her intent to be present in the industry through certain shows. /ra