Sharon Cuneta Admits She Had A Minor 'Tampo' When She Left ABS-CBN And Moved To TV5

ABS-CBN welcomed back Sharon Cuneta as a Kapamilya in a grand presscon last Monday. “Thank you for welcoming me,” she says. “I feel overwhelmingly wonderful to be here in my home, where my heart never left. There are no words to describe how happy I am and what’s going on in my heart right now.”

She admits that she left because of “a small tampo” (she won’t elaborate anymore what it is) but when she met ABS-CBN execs, she learned her “tampo” did not reach them. “My mistake is dapat pala, dumiretso ako sa kanila at hindi ko na pinadaan sa iba. But now, nakauwi na rin ako, nagbakasyon lang. We never lost touch naman nina Tita Charo, Tita Malou, Inang Olive. Tita Charo was the first to know na wala na ako sa nilipatan kong station. We started having meetings and I was so grateful as there were no questions asked. When I said I’m coming home. They just said, of course! I was very humbled to be welcomed with open arms and hearts. I have no regrets naman that I moved to the other station, as I also made some friends there, and I was able to do comedy. But I was like a fish out of water there, dito, binalik uli ako sa dagat. Nakahinga uli akong mabuti.”

She says the past year has really been a bad one for her, what with the passing of her mom and someone betraying her trust. “One thing with me is I was never self destructive. Even when my first marriage failed, I didn’t turn to drugs or alcohol. I just gave myself time to lick my wounds. Even the one who betrayed my trust, I’m for reconciliation, kasi blood relative siya, e.”
She just signed a new contract with ABS-CBN to be a judge in “Your Face Sounds Familiar” that will start airing this weekend. “I think it’s a great project for a comeback. The show is popular in 33 countries and my own daughters love it. I’m excited as I’ve never been in anything like this before and I’ll be working with people I love, including Gary V and Jed Madela as my two co-judges. I also like the line up of the 8 contestants and I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.”
She noticeably lost weight. “You can’t believe how big I became because I have no work. Kain lang ako ng kain. But I’ve since lost 40 lbs. through a special but really difficult diet. I have to lose 15 lbs. more before I can exercise. Right now, I just do the treadmill kasi I can still watch TV while doing that. Dumating nga si Juday (Judy Ann Santos) and Ryan (Agoncillo) sa bahay. Magsu-swimming daw kami. Sabi ko, sige, mauna na kayo.”

Is she now ready to do a teleserye with ABS? “Yes, I’ve never done a teleserye with them, but now I’m ready.” How about the movie with Viva? “I’m no longer with them. Boss Vic is no longer managing me. I’m back with Sandra Chavez. I myself will be producing my next album. There’s a plan for a movie. But kahit may baywang na uli ako, I still have to lose more weight para makuha ko uli yung weight ko na pang-movie.”
How about her talent fee? Did it increase or decrease? “Yung pagbalik ko is not based on money. It’s not an issue but let’s just say I’m being paid a good talent fee.”

Is it true she has plans to enter politics? “Naku, 30 years na yang ganyang balita. But I’m 49 and at this point, alam ko nang artista ako, mang-aawit, and there’s nothing that brings me greater joy than performing in front of people. I’m not running for any public office.”