 |
| ATE SHAWIE RECEIVING THE VERY FIRST VIVA ICON AWARD from BOSS VIC & FAMILY |
SHARON CUNETA is the recipient of the very first Viva Icon Award and rightfully so. This was given to her by no less than Viva’s top honcho himself, Boss Vic del Rosario, at the very first VivaCon (Viva Convention) which was very successful. It was actually the highlight of the two-day affair which was held last weekend at the Folk Arts Theater. People flocked to it despite the rains.
“Sharon is the original Viva Star!” proclaims Boss Vic. “Walang iba. Kung walang Sharon, walang Viva. She starred in the very first movie we produced in 1981, ‘P.S. I Love You’, and it was a big blockbuster, a wholesome movie that defied the era of the bold trend. After that, she did more hits with us like ‘My Only Love’, ‘Friends in Love’, ‘Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala’, ‘Bituing Walang Ningning’, ‘Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas’, ‘Maging Sino Ka Man’ and many more. She also did a lot of hit songs and albums for us, starting with Vicor when she was only 12 years old.”
A special video presentation was shown recalling the glory days of Sharon with Viva and new Viva talents Katrina Velarde, Janine Teñoso, and Kim Molina paid homage to her by singing a medley of her hit songs through the years. The Megastar, accompanied by husband Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, is visibly overwhelmed by the tribute and shed tears of joy.
“I have been so blessed to work with the best,” she declares in response. “They say that Viva is Sharon and Sharon is Viva, but really, it was Viva that made me and, for that, I will be forever grateful. I was only 12 when I started working with Boss Vic as a recordinf artist and 15 when I did my first Viva movie. I actually grew up with the del Rosarios. I want to thank them for honing my talent and for treating me as a member of their family. Ang mga anak ni Boss Vic na sina Vincent, Veronique, Valerie, parang mga kapatid ko talaga sila.”
She becomes more emotional as she thanked Viva and all her Sharonians who trooped to the World Trade Center to witness the momentous event in her long career. She then walks down memory lane to recall her journey with Viva and thanked everyone, including Viva’s Baby Gil who for her is not only a publicist of Viva but a caring and nurturing sister who’s been faithful to her all these years. Sharon reveals that she will soon make a new movie with her erstwhile mother studio, much to the delight of her loyal Sharonians.
The late actor-director Eddie Garcia was also given a Viva Icon Award and he most certainly deserves it. He directed “P.S. I Love You” and several other Viva blockbusters, including “Sinasamba Kita”, “My Only Love”, “Forgive and Forget”, “Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig”, “Kailan Sasabihing Mahal Kita”, “Palimos ng Pag-ibig”, “Imortal”, “Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso”, and many more.
As an actor, he also starred in a lot of their movies, like “Tinik sa Dibdib” with Nora Aunor and what for us is his best performance as a lead actor, “Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan” with Vilma Santos. The last movie he made before he passed is also with them, the comedy “Sanggano, Sanggago at Sanggwapo” starring Janno Gibbs, Andrew E and Dennis Padilla, which is scheduled to be shown in September. The award was accepted by his longtime partner Lilibeth Romero.
