Sharon Cuneta. Image: Instagram/@nsyshows via @reallysharoncuneta
Sharon Cuneta confirmed that she is currently a “free agent,” as she admitted that she doesn’t have a “long-term contract” with ABS-CBN after 35 years of service.
The veteran actress-singer revealed that she’s open to accepting projects from different networks on Instagram on Sunday, Mar. 5, where she noted that she will always be a Kapamilya.
“I have been and will always be a Kapamilya. I have been with ABS-CBN since 1988, when they were just rebuilding their station from the ground up after years of closure by the then-Philippine government,” she began. “I did three shows with them which carried my name — ‘The Sharon Cuneta Show’ for [11] years, ‘SHARON’ for [six] years, and the third, also called ‘SHARON’, for another [six] or so years.”
Cuneta then detailed some of her memorable shows with ABS-CBN, including “Starpower,” “The Biggest Loser,” “Your Face Sounds Familiar,” and “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano” to which she owes “largely” to actor-filmmaker Coco Martin, sharing that she doesn’t have a “long-term contract” with the network.
“For the first time in all these decades, I don’t have a long-term contract with my station. I know it is a number of things that have caused this. We lost our franchise, the station has way too many stars now and we of the ‘old guard’ have to give way. So while I will always be there when they need me and will always be grateful, I guess it is understandable that I for now consider myself a free agent,” she said.
The Megastar talked about being ready to accept offers from other networks, while expressing her gratitude to the media conglomerate.
“It’s time I opened myself up to other stations that may need my services, while always keeping my Kapamilya ‘duties,’ if and when they come. One goes only where one is needed. (And no, wala pa akong nakakausap na kahit sino mula sa kahit anong istasyon, for the record lang po.) I love you, ABS-CBN. My memory and loyalty are unquestionable,” she added.
Cuneta also hoped that she would cross paths with ABS-CBN soon, saying, “But a girl’s gotta work where she can and where she’s wanted. See you again hopefully soon, whenever you may need me.”
“P.S. Coco [Martin] anak, ikaw ang may malasakit sakin at lagi akong iniisip. Abot-langit ang pasasalamat ko sayo at habang buhay kita mamahalin,” she further added.
(Coco Martin, son. You are the one who cared for me and always thought about my best interests. My thankfulness to you exceeds the heavens and I will love you forever.)
The Megastar’s comment section was flooded with supportive messages from her fans, with some speculating if her post is a sign that she would be working somewhere else.
One @danahphysio said, “Is that a sign that you would be working somewhere else? Maybe back to GMA?”
Another @elaineevillasenor wrote, “They’d be crazy if they didn’t keep you. Love channel 2 but wow, if they can keep celebrities that don’t represent them correctly they would be insane to not keep a legend. No new star/celebrity can amount to Mega!”
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@reallysharoncuneta
The veteran-actress singer’s announcement came days after she revealed that she was snubbed by some of the network’s younger artists, where she compared the differences in the practices of this generation’s celebrities. She, however, opted not to name any actor in particular.
Cuneta also hinted about contemplating her “retirement” from showbiz, although she clarified that she’s open to be present in the industry through other means. EDV