A myriad things to look forward to

I am not at all surprised that last Sunday evening’s telecast of the ABS-CBN show Sharon topped the ratings. There were some missteps during the talk show’s first few weeks on the air, but those are all gone. That time around Megastar Sharon Cuneta, prettier and more pounds lighter, solidly guided every segment to an engrossing whole. And thanks to the presence of interesting mother-daughter guests like Dina Bonnevie and Danica Sotto and Annabelle Rama and Ruffa Gutierrez, the discussion was fluid and amusing. Televiewers couldn’t help but wish that they had more time with Sharon and her guests and I am sure they will make sure they tune in again come next Sunday.

The TV show is not the only great thing that Sharon is involved with these days. There is also a new album, a CD of 16 songs that she finished in record time. Entitled Isn’t It Romantic, it was born out of family sing-along session during a weekend in Tagaytay. The titles included are some of her own personal favorites from the past 30 years or more. Coincidentally, she also recalls having sang them week after week during the old Sharon Cuneta Show. And because they are all famous and packing a lot of memories, you can bet that Sharon has another big seller in her hands.

Isn’t It Romantic contains the title track plus Sometimes a Love Goes Wrong, Until You Come Back to Me, It Takes a Man and a Woman, How Deep is Your Love, I Have to Say I Love You in a Song, Laughter in the Rain, Terminal, Simply Jessie, Like a Lover, Birthday Song, If I Keep My Heart Out of Sight, Heaven Knows, With a Little Help from My Friends and the best of the lot, I Don’t Want You to Go. Closing the package is a new version of the Odette Quesada composition she recorded as the theme from the movie of the same title, To Love Again, now rendered sweeter and more meaningful by deeper insight developed over the years.

Then there is another big concert. My Mega Valentine: The Repeat goes on stage at the Araneta Coliseum on the evening of Friday, March 31. This was originally presented as a pre-Valentine’s Day treat last Feb. 12, a Sunday at the Big Dome and it turned out to be a most enjoyable show. In fact, I think it was one of Sharon’s best concerts in recent years. She was in top form as a singer. She looked her best with her new slimmer figure. She was fun. She was witty. And most of all, she looked and sounded like she was immensely enjoying herself. So the audience also has a grand time. It is no wonder she decided to do the show again.

On hand for the repeat will be the original cast of Sharon with Kuh Ledesma, Christopher de Leon and Christian Bautista with harpist Noelle Cassandra. Johnny Manahan once more directs, with Louie Ocampo as musical director. Then there is Martin Nievera who has joined the lineup of guests. I honestly believe that the duets of Sharon and Martin are treats to look forward to. And then there is a new big plus factor that should convince those who have seen the first show to enjoy it again. Tickets this time around are lower priced because Sharon wants everybody to come and watch. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 and Artist House at 02-815-1953 for inquiries.

Just like comparisons, titles for pop figures can be odious unless you have facts to back them up. You can hire the most creative minds to come up with the most impressive tags but these will never stick without something solid behind them. I have seen titles slide off stars because they were not deserving. Sharon Cuneta is not called the Megastar for nothing. She earned every bit of the Mega that is now attached to her name and she works hard to live up to the title. Make no bones about it, the Megastar is back and in a big way.

Now, when do we get the next box-office hit? Not much later I hope especially now that Sharon is back to her leading lady form.