Sharon Cuneta: Make time for your kids

MANILA, Philippines - Join your kids during mealtimes. This is Sharon Cuneta’s battle cry these days aside from encouraging Filipinos to register and vote for change in the coming 2010 elections.

“Before it was launched, we’ve been faithful to it,” says Sharon of Lucky Me!’s Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga advocacy which promotes family dining and mealtime as a means for values formation.

“I grew up doing it with my family,” she adds. “Now that (Sen.) Kiko (Pangilinan) and I are together, we’re doing the same with our children. We’re supporting it because we see the positive returns to us and to my kids. (Mealtime) strengthens our bond as a family. It also strengthens each kid’s confidence, knowing she has a loving home to come home to and to back her up wherever she ends up when she grows up.”

Is politics a staple in the Pangilinans’ mealtime conversation?

“As much as possible we avoid it,” replies Sharon.

Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga started two years ago. The advocacy stresses the importance of dining together. Mealtimes with the family promote communication and unity among family members. Kainang Pamilya Mahalaga also reminds us that family dining is a Filipino tradition many of us are guilty of neglecting due to a fast-paced lifestyle, hectic schedule and long working hours.

According to research, children are less likely to engage in vices such as smoking, drinking and drugs when they have regular family dinner. Having family meals helps kids perform well in school. Sept. 28 is this year’s National FaMealy Day.

A Vilmanian, Sharon is also thrilled that Vilma Santos’ movie In My Life from Star Cinema with son Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz will hit theaters soon. She says Vilma should be emulated as a mother, wife, actress and politician.

For daughter KC Concepcion who has a new ABS-CBN soap Lovers in Paris, Sharon says, “I’ll be behind you unconditionally. Just relax. Have faith in God and in people who love you.”

What’s Sharon’s take on those who miss family meal with their kids?

“Make time for your kids. It’s not just the food (you share with everybody) but also the bonding you make while dining,” she says.