SUPERstar ukay

Monday, August 08, 2005

im so starstruck. kc concepcion is so nice. she's so human, ang galeng. sigh.

anyway, i was at nbc tent last saturday para magbantay ng booth namen sa art bazaar ng SUPER. actually, i felt that it was more of an artista bazaar, kase the number of "art-related" booths were out numbered by artista ukay-ukay and your regular bazaar stalls (rtw etc etc). i found it amusing to see sharon cuneta's stall to be filled up with megastar designer duds. (ferragamo, gucci, etc etc. including (tacky) costume gowns) pero shempre, everyone was at the artista booths buying artista ukay. :( kaya naman ang glitter tattoo/henna tattoo/braiding booth namen ay medyo hindi bumenta. we also tried selling works of art, pero wala kaming laban sa artista. o well. (swerte ng dunkin donut, sila lang yung food stall doon, kaya buong araw walang kinain ang mga tao kung hindi puro donut)

but i did get to see people i havent seen in ages since ive been so busy with work. raymond lee of UFO was there with his gang (si clint...si clint lang ang nakilala ko) and kate torralba!! raymond's films are now out (he wrote milan and those other star cinema flicks, oh he wrote the aga-claudine movie), sayang i wasnt a part of its production. he invited me to do production design sana kaso, as usual, i was busy at work. i miss kate torralba, we often would see each other at openings before and would got out with sina patty, maria, patrick and pio. she's such a delight! im going to visit her at her home soon. i think the only reason i havent seen these people is because i havent been out lately. maybe i should go out more.

i aslo saw a lot of weird rich people. there was this matrona whom i should describe as "if paris hilton was pinay at the age of 60 with cropped brown hair, she would be it." im not saying its masama or what, i just think its a bit quirky.


(clock wise: me and kate, kc and our moon star glitter tattoo, sharon cunetas mannequin with a weird blue gown on and the only painting(a plate back in sophomore yr.) i sold, to kate.)

posted by paulo's kokote at 8:11 AM

18 Questions for KC

by Ricky F. Lo

Philippine Star, April 6, 2003

What!?! A debut without a cotillion?

"Yeah, why not?" asked Kristina Cassandra, KC for short, Concepcion, unica hija of Sharon Cuneta and ex-husband Gabby Concepcion (now residing in the US), who's celebrating her 18th birthday tomorrow, April 7, first with a party for the press and the following day with another party for friends and relatives, both at The Tent in The Fort (same venue of the fabulous Ruffa-Yilmaz wedding last March 25).

There'll be the traditional "18 candles" and "18 roses" but the debutante won't be having any "first dance," not even a "second dance" or a "third dance" simply because, she blushed, "I don't know how to dance!"

But why no cotillion?

"For the same reason," smiled KC, the sum total of the best qualities of her parents. "Because I don't know how to dance. Besides, I don't want to bother my friends with having to gather for the rehearsals; it's such a hassle, di ba?"

In short, it's going to be, in KC's own words, "just a big party, far different from her mom's fairy-tale debut in 1984 (held at the Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel, graced by bigwigs from politics, business and showbiz). "I don't want my debut to be different, really," said KC, "I just want it to be that way ¨¢ you know, a party for family and friends."

KC is an Aries but people not close to her won't notice her being one.

"I don't believe in what the horoscope says but some of it are true. My determination, for instance. Aries people are supposed to be determined; they won't stop until they get what they want."

In September, if she doesn't change her mind, KC will enroll in a course in film and/or communication in an unnamed Paris school.

Meanwhile, just like that of a typical debutante, her mind is whirling with thoughts of her formal "coming out". Let's "dissect" that mind a bit.

1. Do you have any birthday wish?

"Wish ko ma-meet si Janet Jackson. She's my idol! I was a kid when I watched her concert here and I missed several parts of it, especially the sexy ones. I fell asleep because they didn't allow me to watch them. They told me, 'KC, close your eyes!' And I did. Well, I got bored. Hayun, nakatulog tuloy ako. But I just love Janet; I watch all her videos. Star-struck ako sa kanya."

2. Has your father (Gabby) greeted you already?

"Oh, not yet. It's only March (Time of this Conversation ¨¢ RFL) but I guess he will. He has my number and I have his, so... We're in constant touch. I expect him to greet me. If not ..."

3. Now that you're 18, what are the things that you'll be deciding on by yourself?

"My destiny. No, I'm just kidding! I think I've been doing that for the past few years; I've been doing a lot of planning ¨¢ I've been planning my own life! That, I think, is the responsibility of every person in the world. I mean, you can't just leave everything to your parents. Kung wala na sila, ano'ng mangyayari sa buhay mo? If there's an opportunity and I feel strongly about it, then I make a decision and tell my parents about it ¨¢ you know, justify my decision."

4. Do things come easy because you're the daughter of Sharon Cuneta?

"I think there are only two ways of handling that. If you're born into a situation like mine, either you pursue it or you don't. Being the daughter of Sharon Cuneta is only one-fourth of who I am. Even without my name, I'd still be going in the same direction because 'yon ang passion ko, e. Even if I'd just work behind the scenes, I'd still love it kasi nandoon ang passion ko, e."

5. How many percent of you do you think is Sharon Cuneta and how many percent is Gabby Concepcion?

"I think with every person in the world, the ratio genetically is half-half, fifty-fifty. But with me, I think I'm different from both of them. One of my wishes on my 18th birthday is for people to see me for who I am, for what I am... not just anak ni Sharon or anak ni Gabby. Don't get me wrong. There's nothing wrong with being identified as anak ni Sharon or anak ni Gabby... okey nga 'yon... because my parents have achieved so much. My Mom is respected for what she does. My only wish is for people to see what I can do and to appreciate me for it. I guess every teenager has the same wish ¨¢ to have her own identity. But as I've said, ibang-iba ako sa kanilang dalawa. I don't know my Dad enough to say how much I take after him... Pero my Mom, I know very well so I can say that 30 percent of who I am is very Sharon Cuneta when she was my age. I'm not out to prove to the world what I can do; I'm just out to prove to myself that I can do things on my own."

6. If you were not Sharon Cuneta's daughter, what sort of life do you think you'd be having today?

"Well, I would definitely be working for what I wanted and that would still be around the media because I'm comfortable in that field. I'd still be exposed to the media because the kind of work that I'm doing now is exactly the one that I love to do. I don't think I'd like to be confined to an office ¨¢ you know, 'yung nakaupo ka lang. That's not the kind of work that I want to do. Ako kasi, I like moving around ¨¢ I can't stay put in one place! Feeling ko I'd still be the same person except that, maybe, I'd be working harder to achieve what I want."

7. What do you think you can do that your Mom and/or your Dad cannot?

"I don't know! I'm taking one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. But you know, things are changing so fast now. 'Yung mga nagagawa ngayon ng mga 10 years old hindi pa alam gawin ng mga 40 years old noon. I guess I'm just more open to things that my Mom and Dad were not during their time. Like, if I have to achieve something, I want it to affect not only the Philippines, but the whole world. Parang ganoon. Mataas ang ambisyon na 'yan, I know, but it's better to aim very high than not at all, di ba?"

8. What can you say about your Dad Francis (Kiko Pangilinan, her stepfather)?

"I think he is a fabulous parent. He's a very, very good Dad. I'm not saying that because we're under the same roof but because he really is. Ano, e, alam na alam niya kung paano ka imo-mold para maging successful sa buhay... para maging successful professionally and spiritually. He's just considerate and so aware of what he's doing. Alam niya kung ano ang influence niya sa tao ... sa mga kids niya, so he knows what to do to make you feel secure with yourself para kahit wala sila, okey ka. I'm also close to Frankie (Her half-sister. ¨¢ RFL)."

9. What are your most cherished memories as a child?

"The times when I was with the Gamboas (Her mom's maternal relatives. ¨¢ RFL). You know, my extended family. Marami ang Gamboas. Sa Lola ko, nine silang magkakapatid (Including Sharon's mom, Elaine Cuneta, and Helen Gamboa-Sotto. ¨¢ RFL). I'm super-close to the Gamboas. We'd always be doing things together, including traveling together."

10. And your most painful memories as a child?

"When I realized na hindi na magkakabalikan ang parents ko. I don't even know how old I was then. I remember that I even asked Santa Claus kung magkakabalikan sina Mama at Papa and when they did not, I was heart-broken. 'Yon ang first heartbreak ko. Feeling ko noon namatayan ako."

11. What's the best lesson that you learned from your Mom?

"I learned a lot of lessons from my Mom. One of them is that I should never forget the people who'll be there even if, quote-unquote, the machine breaks down. I would meet a lot of people, that's for sure, but in the end, only the ones true to you will be around. Like my Mom, she has only like three or five best friends, true friends, most of them now living abroad. But everytime they see each other, friends pa rin sila. Close na close sila. It's as if they parted only yesterday when, in fact, they haven't seen each other for years and years. Do I know who my real friends are? I guess I do. I can count in the fingers of my hands kung ilan ang true friends ko talaga. I have a limited number of friends. I've learned not to be too trusting. But the friends that I have have been with me from way back. Talagang old friends, since kindergarten days. I guess there are five of them na parang members na ng family ko."

12. Are you choosy when it comes to suitors?

"Yeah. Actually, not suitors. Pagdating sa boyfriends na, I know I'm gonna be choosy. But suitors, okey lang; talagang kinakausap ko sila. I'm not naman the type as, you know, 'Ayoko sa'yo dahil hindi ka cute!' Hindi naman ako ganyan. Do I have to consult my Mom about my suitors? Oh, yes, sinasabi ko naman sa kanya. You know, 'Mom, nanliligaw si ganyan... parati kaming nag-uusap ni ganito...!' You know, just to let her know."

13. What type of boys do you find attractive?

"I'm open to all types ¨¢ lahat, e! First of all, I'm like that siguro because love ko 'yung iba't-ibang cultures, I just love different cultures. If a guy has grown up in a culture different from ours, hayun, I get curious about him. That I find attractive; I want to learn about other cultures ¨¢ you know, things na makaka-expand ng aking views."

14. Name three guys you find sexy.

"No. 1 is Piolo Pascual. Sexy ang eyes. No. 2 is Brian McKnight. Sexy ang voice. No. 3 is Richard Gere (especially in Unfaithful). Sexy as in talagang sexy!"

15. If you were Sharon Cuneta, what would you change in your life and what would you retain?

"If I were Sharon Cuneta ... Let me see... Okay, she has been having problems with her weight and I think one of her wishes is to have her genes changed. Papalitan niya ang kanyang genes. You know, it's also my problem because I inherited the same genes."

16. Which song of your Mom means so much to you?

"Of my Mom's song, my favorite is Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin, composed by Willy Cruz, the theme song of Madrasta (The Star Cinema family drama with Christopher de Leon for which Sharon won a Best Actress grandslam in 1997. ¨¢ RFL). Why that song? Well, I just love the song!"

17. What's the best thing about being Sharon Cuneta's daughter?

"Well, the best thing is that I've been exposed to the field of work that I want to pursue. You know, I've been given a front-seat view of what goes on backstage during a show, such aspects as directing and the like. Someday, I'd like to be more of a director than an actress."

18. And the worst thing about being Sharon Cuneta's daughter?

"Parang wala kang sariling identity.

My Fair KC

The first time I met her, she was standing on her head. Really. Kristina Cassandra Concepcion, adopted by Sharonians everywhere as their little KC, was doing a headstand for a friend, while backstage at the Music Museum.

Your first impression of KC, circa 1996? She was Miss Mega's dynamic bundle of energy. On her own, she was a go-getting ice skater and avid swimmer. But whenever she was with mom, Megastar Sharon Cuneta, she was simply a dutiful daughter would unobtrusively play jackstones (while mom rehearsed for yet another concert) or doodle and draw in her small notebook (while mom wrapped up yet another press conference). That was three years ago.

Kristina Cassandra Concepcion, circa 1999, is a budding young lady. Shawie's fair lady. When KC attended Rajo Laurel's fashion gala this year, with mom, Grandma Elaine, and auntie (uncle Chet's wife), she made not a few heads turn. People craned their necks, strained their eyes. A top national daily, which published Sharon and KC's photo, aptly captured fashion-watchers' sentiments that night: They're just like sisters.

Little KC is now a lady. A fine young lady. She is basically the same sweet girl you first met three years ago. Yet there are also remarkable changes--subtle yet surprising just the same. Her dulcet, delicate voice now expresses very strong, very definite opinions. She writes poetry and composes "beautiful and profound" (mom beams) songs. And as is evident in the "short article" below (one she wrote almost two years ago, for an essay on her mom, which came out in the 100 Women of the Philippines coffeetable book), she is intelligent, sensitive and incredibly proud of her mother. She also keeps a notebook/journal, embellished with drawings and her friends' pictures. And while they were in Boston, she played lacrosse and soccer for her school. In short, she is brimming with youthful zest and creativity.

Just like you-know-who when she was 15 and starred in Dear Heart and made movie history?

They're not just like soul sisters; they're almost like twins! KC, in fact, also goes by the name of Twister II. Guess who Twister I is? At the time KC wrote the article below (the article appears in the 100 Women Coffeetable book), mom was in the United States wrapping up a world concert tour and daughter was already back in the Philippines, to attend cousin Ciara Sotto's grand debut.

That was one of the few rare times that mother-and-daughter were ever separated since KC was born. That bond--solid and strong--was evident in the love and longing in KC's words and Sharon's reaction upon reading the article.

My mother is someone that has touched many people's hearts. She, I understand, is someone that people admire and respect because of her achievements and great personality. Her fans know her as the Megastar, a talented actress-singer who is destined to be famous. I know her as my mother.

I'm pretty sure that many of you have heard, read or just happen to know about the pain that mom had gone through in the past. My mother had brought me up practically all by herself, and she had sacrificed so much just to make me grow up to be a "fine young lady". She worked day and night, and she'd often come home exhausted. She would go straight to bed and rest with her makeup on. We had little time together, but when she had a day-off she'd make sure we were together. Sometimes, we'd go out on a mother-daughter date. I understood that she was doing all this just to give me a good, normal life.

Mom is just wonderful. She's caring, loving, she has a great sense of humor, maasikaso (caring, nurturing)--you know, she has just what it takes to be a perfect mom. Sometimes, she teases me because I forget she's my mom. She's so much like a sister, a big sister I never had. She's my best friend--next to God, of course--someone I know I can always talk to about anything, someone with whom I can share my dreams, my thoughts and secrets, and I know she'll never spill. But, of course, since no one's perfect naman, all I can say is that she's next to perfect. She's so close, it's scary!

When guests come over, she's always the first one to serve them. "Do you want this, do you want that?" Minsan, sila pa ang nagugulat (The guests get surprised), because they don't expect her to be like that! She is always excited when friends or family come. She loves company, and being treated like a normal person. Because that's what she really is when she's with us. Normal.

There's something about mom that's a bit crazy that nobody really knows about. She can be really clumsy at times, that Tita Fanny (Serrano) calls her "Twister". Actually, there's a "Twister II" that's somewhere nearby, and people don't know about that either . . .

My mom is a good wife. Obviously, she was able to choose the right man, with God's help. She does the duties that a wife is required to do, based on the Bible. She loves my daddy very much, and she'd do almost anything for him. She takes care of him, prepares food for him (by the way, mom cooks really well), and is just a good wife all-around. There is a lot more about mom that I could write, but I think I've already singled out almost all of the wonderful things about my mother. It's too hard to write every single thing about her because God has made her an amazing person; very special indeed. She is truly blessed, and loved by people not only in the Philippines, but by others, particularly Filipinos, around the world. She definitely deserves to be in the position where she is now. A cool example of The Filipina.

Sharon's simple response: "That's why I love and miss her so!"

Picture Perfect

By Mario Bautista/Photographs by Richard ChenS Magazine, March 2005 And how's KC (Concepcion, Sharon's eldest)? "She came home for the Christmas holidays. Pero sandali lang. Balik agad sa Paris after the New Year, Kasi she's now working part time with a company that produces documentaries," says Sharon. How's KC's European suitor, Hugo? "Honestly, I like the guy. Pero ayaw ni KC. May hinahanap pa raw siya that's not him. I just leave it all up to her, kasi she's so career-oriented. She's been to Spain to visit a friend and to London to tour the BBC. I'm glad she's learned to be independent. She leans towards broadcasting," shares Sharon.

25 YEARS : SHARON

by Blaise C. Gacoscos, Yes! Magazine, Jan-Feb, 2003
"I hope she understands that she is more blessed. It's not a perfect world. You certainly don't ask for your family to just break up... but you have to realize that you have to focus on what you're blessed with. I understand also it's very difficult to always be in the shadow of a parent or both parents. So, you see, as much as possible she doesn not mention me in interviews... And I let it be even if, sometimes, nagsi-sentimento ka. You know, the kid has to find her own identity." -- Sharon on KC
"KC is not naman my exact opposite, pero almot my exact opposite. My description always is parang I'm a station wagon and she's like a red sports car. So, she's not the type I have to worry about 'cuz I think... she'll settle down early? Not at all. I feel like I will have to push her. 'Mag-asawa ka na, Anak!" -- Sharon's reading of her first-born
"Si KC kamukha ni Sharon. Marunong mag-horse riding, marunong maglangoy, may medlas 'yan sa swimming, meron siyang ballet din. Si KC, everything, pati singing. Pareho sila ni Sharon. Si Sharon magaling sa essays, parang si KC. Nagko-compose ng words ng music si KC, kamukha ni Sharon." -- Elaine Cuneta on her daughter and grand-daughter
"KC likes to do ten times more than I do - and at the same time! She spreads herself too thin. She's in a dance company in school. When I say dance company, it's not easy to get into it, mga tipong Power Dance... Tapos soccer, although she's stopping that. And then, of course, her academics. And academics in I.S. [International School] are very demanding. And then she likes to do all these extra-curriculars! So I tell her to take it easy, there's time for everything." -- Sharon, sounding like a typical mother

HOW DO YOU KEEP THE MUSIC PLAYING, SHARON?

by Ricky Lo, People Asia, October 2002

THE SILVER YEAR

by Mario Bautista, S Magazine, August 2002

FAMILY REUNION IN BANGKOK

YES! Magazine, June 2002
MARCH 30. Sharon and KC arrived in Bangkok on March 28 at 3:40 p.m via Thai Airways. An hour later, Sharon's husband, Kiko Pangilinan, daughter Frankie, Mommy Elaine, her Kuya Chet and Ate Connie, and her pamangkins, Paul, Chuck, Chris, and Daniel, all arrived.
"This was one of the most special trips I've ever made," muses Sharon. "One, because I get to spend time with KC again. You know, things in the Philippines have a way of pulling you apart especially when one is 17 and you are a working mom."
It was all more meaningful for Sharon because, after her father Pablo passed away, her family was complete for the first time - and on a trip abroad!
Why Bangkok?
Says Sharon, "We had to choose a place, nagkataon by God's grace, Kiko and I loved it, na we wanted Mommy and Kuya to see and also that it had no memories of Dad... We wanted a place with new memories... So that trip was super-duper meaningful to all of us especially me... It was the happiest vacation of my life!"
At Safari World. L-R front row: Sen Kiko Pangilinan, Frankie Pangilinan, Daniel Cuneta, Elaine Cuneta, KC Concepcion; Back row: Connie Cuneta, Paul Cuneta, Christopher Cuneta, Capt. Chet Cuneta, and Sharon Cuneta-Pangilinan. Not in photo is Sharon's nephew Chuck Cuneta. The Cunetas at a "long" table for their first family dinner in Bangkok. Sharon and daughters aboard a tourist bus from Safari World. Sharon, KC and Frankie in downtown Bangkok. Behind them are flowers and incense sticks.

"Me and my girls."

Mother and daughter during the family's river boat dinner cruise.

KC with Lola Elaine and the latter's grandchildren. Seated: Christopher and Frankie. Standing: Paul, KC, Chuck, Daniel. The only apo missing is C.P.

SHARON AND KC IN PARIS

YES! Magazine, June 2002 MARCH 22, FLIGHT TO PARIS. Sharon and KC left Manila for Paris in a cabin suite. The last time they went out on a girl-bonding trip was 1999 when they flew to San Jose, California.

At Place de la Concorde. To her right is the Champs-Elysées.

Inside their hotel room, mother and daughter ended the day with a "tight squeeze." KC at Coco Chanel's first store At Castle Café near the Eiffel Tower where they sipped hot chocolate and Viennese coffee.

MARCH 23, EIFFEL TOWER. Mother and daughter arrived in Paris at 5:10 a.m. Obviously, they took turns having their pictures taken at the foot of the Eiffel. Says Sharon, "KC and I wanted to go up but they were servicing the other elevators, only one was working, weekend kasi, punong-puno ng tourists.

MARCH 24. "Kami," says Sharon, " we're so mababaw. Actually we just breathe in and take in all that's happening around us. There wasn't much to buy because it was really cold and, you know, she does stuff for Human... that she passes on to Mama, and some, Mama is still waiting to fit into. And you know, I have so many clothes in my movies. There's no need for us to really go out and buy clothes like crazy. "Diner with my baby." They had dinner in Costes, a restaurant near their hotel. "Everyone makes a ceremony out of dining, out of a meal, so kahit kape lang 'yan o ano. Hindi sila fast food masyado. French sila e. We just wanted to take that in 'coz we couldn't do these things in Manila or anywhere else. Mag-sidewalk cafe, puro pollution, hindi ba? Doon uso, doon naggaling. So parang we just wanted to experience all those things that we can't really do here." Sharon told KC: "You have to see how cute those stores are, they sell crepes off the streets." When KC finally saw one, she screamed, "Mama, crepes!" Says Sharon, "Happing-hapi kami." KC ordered strawberry crepes and Sharon, who describes herself as a "chocolate girl," had banana nutella.


MARCH 25. Facade of the Louvre Museum A gentleman was kind enough to take their picture on the River Siene. KC buys postcards for her collection. Sharon and KC posing in front of Venus de Milo.
Mother and daughter at Place Vendome before going to Louvre.

MARCH 26, REST DAY. Playtime with jasmine flowers following dinner at Le Reconfort. Mama Sharon is thrilled her daughter speaks French with, say the natives, "good accent." But she is even more thrilled whenever KC says "she's my mother" in French and everyone within hearing distance gasps in disbelief. Not-so-small-baby-KC with Mama. The French provincial decor of this hotel so attracted Sharon, she had her picture taken by the amused owner.

MARCH 27. Last day in Paris. Sharon and KC finishing their Cappuccino Steak Frittes and Banana Split at La Coupe D'or St. Honore´&e;. They were scheduled to leave Paris for Bangkok at 10:44 p.m.

SIMPLE JOYS

by An Mercado-Alcantara, Metro Working Mom, April 2002

Sharon with husband Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, daughters KC (right) and Frankie (center): "I have so much love in my life."