Sharon Cuneta and KC Concepcion. Image: Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
Sharon Cuneta considers her relationship with KC Concepcion as her “biggest pain,” admitting she knows “very little” of her eldest daughter’s life because the latter does not open up to her.
In a recent interview with comedian Ogie Diaz, the Megastar was emotional as she spoke about her mother-and-daughter relationship with KC. Cuneta said that although she and KC are both “bullheaded, stubborn and strong-willed,” their characters are polar opposite of each other, often causing misunderstanding between them.
Cuneta was reflecting on the possible reasons behind their recurring rifts, which led her to address and dismiss certain “issues” about their relationship. Cuneta said there were a lot of rumors intended to break them apart, but what hurt her the most was when she was accused of not wanting the same fame she has for KC.
“Sinong matinong magulang, lalo kung artista ka, ang gugustuhin mong anak pa ng ibang tao ‘yung sumikat kaysa sa sarili mong anak? Kung may papalit o susunod sa ‘yo, siyempre gusto mo ‘yung sa ‘yo ‘di ba?” she told Diaz.
(What parent, especially if it is a celebriy parent, would want their child to be overshadowed by other celebrities? If you would want someone to replace you or follow your footsteps, of course you’d want it to be your child.)
“Lahat na kasi ng rason pumapasok sa isip ko na ano kaya ang dahilan kung bakit minsan malayo siya sa akin,” she added. “That is a total lie. Kung meron mang naglagay no’n sa utak niya, patawarin ka ng Diyos.”
(A lot of possible reasons why she is sometimes aloof from me come to my mind. That [rumor] is a total lie. If anyone fed that to my daughter’s mind, then may God forgive you.)
Cuneta then recounted her sacrifices for her daughter, noting how the veteran actress had to work twice as hard when she and KC’s dad, actor Gabby Concepcion, separated. Cuneta also owned up to her shortcomings to KC when she was younger, particularly when the Megastar needed to divide her time between being a mother and an actress.
“OK kami, minsan hindi—that’s the truth. Actually, parang I don’t know anything about my eldest daughter’s life,” she confessed. “Very little lang ang alam ko [kasi] since bata siya, hindi naman siya nag-oopen up sa akin unlike her siblings.”
(Sometimes we’re OK, sometimes we’re not — that’s the truth. Actually, I feel like I don’t know anything about my eldest daughter’s life. I only know very little because unlike her siblings, she has not been opening up to me since she was a child.)
“Hindi ko alam ba’t nagkagano’n e sa akin naman siya lumaki,” she lamented. “‘Yung maalala niya sana lahat ng sacrifices ko… Ang magulang naman ang gusto lang appreciation, respect, a little acknowledgment, so gusto kong maging mas successful pa sa akin si KC at lahat ng anak ko.”
(I don’t know why it turned out this way, as she grew up in my care. [I just want her] to remember all my sacrifices. Parents just want appreciation, respect and a little acknowledgement. I want KC and my other children to be more successful than me.)
Cuneta said that although she is somehow used to KC being away from her, she would always long for her daughter and the tight relationship they once had. Cuneta then underscored that KC is a very kind person and that she deserves happiness.
“That’s my biggest pain—anuman ang success mo sa buhay pero may isa kang pinakamamahal na ba’t ba hindi maayos-ayos na permanently, parang hindi ka kumpleto. Hindi ka pa rin successful,” she said.
(That’s my biggest pain—whatever success you have in life, when you can’t fix your relationship with one of your loved ones, you won’t be complete. You’re still not successful.)
Cuneta’s separation from Gabby
After her highly publicized separation from Gabby, Cuneta initially wanted KC to veer away from the showbiz industry to “protect” her. Despite this, Cuneta said she did not stop the younger actress when she planned out her showbiz career on her own.
When asked if Cuneta reaches out to Gabby on matters relating to their daughter, the Megastar revealed that she does, but recently she was not able to get hold of him. Cuneta also admitted that although she gets help from her husband, former Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, she still consults Gabby in certain instances.
“Hindi ko nga makausap e. Hindi ko alam kung anong issue namin kasi last time kaming nagkita before COVID, OK kami,” she disclosed. “Hindi tuloy kami makapag-communicate since naghiwalay kami nung 1987. Busy siya e.”
(I can’t actually talk to him. I don’t know what’s the issue between us because we were OK the last time we saw each other before the pandemic. We haven’t communicated [properly] since we separated in 1987 [because] he has been busy.)
Cuneta stressed that she never bad-mouthed Gabby to their daughter, noting that she is even delighted whenever he spends time together with KC.
“Walang (There were no) ill-feelings—that’s how I raised her. Basta ang sinasabi ko [kay KC] palagi (I always tell KC), “It was never your fault. Sometimes two people just don’t get along but never confuse that with how much we both love you,'” she stated.
Cuneta is grateful for KC
Cuneta declared her love for her daughter and pointed out that despite their misunderstandings, she would never speak ill of KC.
“I’m grateful for KC. I’m grateful that she finished school and I’m praying that kung gusto niyang mag-asawa, sana she ends up with somebody na talagang mahal na mahal niya at mahal na mahal siya (if she wants to marry, I hope she ends up with someone who she truly loves and who loves her deeply),” Cuneta said.
“I love my daughter. Never kong sisiraan si KC,” she continued. “Hindi masamang sabihin na hindi kayo magkasundo. It’s just a fact—walang may kasalanan no’n. Hindi niya kasalanan yo’n.”
(I love my daughter. I would never bad-mouth KC. It is not wrong to say that we have a misunderstanding. It’s just a fact. It’s no one’s fault. It’s not her fault.) /ra