Sharon Cuneta on parents making children as retirement plan, growing old

Sharon Cuneta gives her two cents on parents who make their children their retirement plan during an interview after an InLife event. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, Instagram/@kiko.pangilinan

As a mother of four, Sharon Cuneta does not believe that parents should make their children into a retirement plan. She, however, reiterated that kids must practice being grateful to parents in their own way.

Cuneta was asked to give her two cents on the topic during an interview on the sidelines of an insurance event in Makati, when she talked about motherhood, getting older, and retirement.

“I feel bad about that. When my kids say that they will take care of me, I tell them that I don’t expect them to do that. But I think that it’s also right for a child,” she said.

The actress-singer then recalled that she helped with her parents’ finances at some point as a way of expressing her gratitude for raising her.

“But I didn’t really have to take care of my parents day-to-day. But when there [are big things] like a hospital bill, ohmigod, these are my parents. Without their guidance and love, I wouldn’t have gone as far without them. I think filial ties are normal and it’s just in our culture,” she said.

“Kahit anong sabihin mo, may utang na loob ka sa magulang mo. But for me, I don’t need [my [children’s] money. The mere thought na naisip nila [ako] is [enough], I want to teach them to [be] generous,” continued Cuneta.

Sharon Cuneta (seated, center), Kiko Pangilinan
(standing, center) and kids

Getting older

During the interview, the 59-year-old actress-singer said she realized that she should not make excuses in getting things done as soon as she reached her fifties.

“When you hit 50, you will realize that you will do things and you don’t have to make excuses for it anymore,” she said. “You lived for half a century and you have the license to do it. Dati, maingat lagi pero me naman (I was careful but) I always stuck to my values. What you see is what you get.”

Cuneta noted that these realizations will perhaps ring truer to her as soon as she turns 60. This, in itself, served as a reminder that there’s nothing wrong with looking back at her life with gratitude and believing that she deserves to be blessed.

“When you turn 50, there’s more freedom. After 50, I’m pushing 60 and I feel freer. Because I’m more comfortable with my own skin, I’m happily married, and I have great kids, and God has been so generous and gracious,” she said.

“Parang (It’s like) I have been blessed too much. I’ve also been trying to stop feeling guilty about it and think that maybe I deserve it,” Cuneta further explained.

But when asked to give a piece of advice when it comes to getting older, Cuneta stressed that taking care of one’s self should be a priority.

“You have to take of yourself. What I realized about being generous is when you’re the one in need, you cannot [fully depend] on anyone,” she said.

The Megastar is still open to keep on going with her entertainment career, although she pointed out that she doesn’t have to keep up with the “rat race” anymore.

Despite this, Cuneta had a sentimental smile when asked how she wants to be remembered as an artist.

“I like that my work — such as my movies and songs — would touch their lives. But I like to be remembered more for being a good and authentic person,” she said.

The actress-singer recently starred as Miranda in “Saving Grace,” a Filipino adaptation of the hit Japanese drama “Mother.” It was first available on a streaming platform and is set to premiere its teleserye version in early 2025.