Sharon Cuneta marks 42nd birthday with concert

Megastar Sharon Cuneta was not joking when she announced late last year to some selected media people that she wanted 2008 to be a busy year. Last night, January 10, the popular singer-actress made that point very clear—this time in front of a jampacked Araneta Coliseum. Wearing a slimmer frame, Sharon celebrated her belated 42nd birthday concert with much aplomb before her thousands of fans, family members, and friends. Dubbed as Sharon 2K8, the event seem to indicate Sharon's fervent desire to make a loud comeback particularly on the silver screen after a long lull. VARIETY SHOW FORMAT. The concert started at 9 p.m. amidst the loud cheers of the crowd that was already enthralled by the sight of the grand stage design that resembles a ballroom hall because of the high chandelier-inspired backdrop that adorned the stage ceiling. To make things lighter and familiar, especially to those who are accustomed in seeing the Megastar on television, the concert adapted a variety show format with Roderick Paulate and Bayani Agbayani lending their hosting chops to ease the pressure a bit on the birthday celebrator. Looking more confident in an all-black attire, Sharon held her own in the company of divas Pops Fernandez and Zsa Zsa Padilla. The three took turns in belting out their rendition of Beyonce Knowles's foxy smash hit "Irreplaceable" before shifting to the infectious Gwen Stefani number "The Sweet Escape." Stand-up comics Pokwang and Chokoleit, on the other hand, busily held the entire coliseum in stitches as the funny pair tried to outdo each other as to who among them is the biggest Sharon Cuneta fan. After trading witty barbs coated with some of Sharon's famous movie lines, Pokwang and Chokoleit then used a few of the Megastar's movie titles and converted it into songs—with melodies derived from contemporary OPM novelty tunes. Martin Nievera, who will also be having an anniversary concert at the Big Dome on February 1 in celebration of his 25th year in show business, did a duet with Sharon via the heart-wrenching ditty, "Kahit Isang Saglit." Most of course were left wondering if Martin and estranged wife Pops had the chance to see each other backstage. World-class performer Bituin Escalante and Sharon joined forces in dishing out Regine Velasquez's ballad, "Dadalhin." The Megastar's voice perfectly suited Bituin's own hit, "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana," despite being almost drowned by the sound produced by the ensemble. Ai-Ai delas Alas single-handedly made the crowd erupt with laughter when she mimicked Sharon's trademark onstage gestures. For complete effect, the popular comedienne descended from the stage and approached Sharon's husband, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, in full view of the Megastar herself who watched Ai-Ai's antics from the left side of the stage. Trying to generate a reaction from the celebrant, Ai-Ai naughtily asked the amiable senator, "Puwede ba kiss?" Acoustic performers Jimmy Bondoc and Top Suzara mellowed things down after Ai Ai's well-applauded performance. Together with Sharon, Top and Jimmy strummed their way through the lush tunes of "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight," "I Wish That I Was Making Love To You Tonight," and "Getting To Know Each Other." STEALING HER MOMMY'S THUNDER. Leave it to Sharon's daughter KC Concepcion to make the crowd, as well as her mom gasping for air—literally. Subjecting herself in a harness, KC rendered a theatric performance to full perfection, leaving everyone spellbound as the pretty commercial model circled the stage like an angel watching the crowd above ground. Asked for her reaction on KC's performance, Sharon understatedly quipped: "I'm proud while kinakabahan at the same time." A touching special VTR was presented to Sharon wherein some of her friends greeted and congratulated her for the big concert. The Megastar was also serenaded live by some of her closest male friends in the industry, like Bayani Agbayani, Mark Bautista, Albert Martinez, Dominic Ochoa, Gino Padilla, Randy Santiago, and Aga Muhlach. Not to be outdone, Senator Kiko Pangilinan crooned two Ryan Cayabyab penned classics—"Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka" and "Ikaw Ang Tunay Na Ligaya"—while walking hand-in-hand with his blushing wife. Piolo Pascual and Angel Locsin also graced the occasion to greet Sharon and also promote their upcoming ABS-CBN TV series, Lobo. The two sang a duet of Elliott Yamin's "Wait For You." Well wishers continuously poured in led by director Joey Reyes, Manny Castañeda, Lorna Totlentino, Christine Bersola-Babao, Fanny Serrano, John "Sweet" Lapus, Ruffa Gutierrez, Agot Isidro, and Empoy. As colorful confetti rained down on the Megastar, her three daughters—KC, Frankie and Miel—joined her onstage, relishing the moment with their overwhelmed mom. Minutes later, Kiko also went up onstage not just to accompany his wife, but also to look after their two kids who made the huge stage as their playground. - Philippine Entertainment Portal