A celebration fit for the Megastar

Showbiz’s first big event for the new year usually is Megastar Sharon Cuneta’s birthday bash, and 2007 is no exemption. The multimedia icon recently packed the Araneta Coliseum for her biggest celebration in recent years, to be aired tonight at 8:30 on ABS-CBN.

Sharon opened her birthday special with her rendition of the upbeat Walking on Sunshine. The opening spot was reminiscent of her elaborate production numbers from her former musical variety program, The Sharon Cuneta Show.

While performing the opening number, Sharon went down the stage to welcome everybody present in the venue, to the delight of her friends and fans. She, out of sheer excitement, even unintentionally threw her microphone before her song ended.

In her opening spiels, Sharon, who turned 41 last Jan. 6, profusely thanked her Sharonians for all the love and support they have given her for the past 29 years. She started her showbiz career when she was 12. She proudly announced that she will mark her 30th anniversary in showbiz next year.

To show her gratitude to her followers, Sharon performed a modernized version of her first hit song Mr. DJ, which she described as the song that started her career in the biz. Leading the live band was Louie Ocampo, the show’s musical director.

Affirming her status as ABS-CBN’s most prized talent was the attendance of the executives of the network to the event. Among those present were ABS-CBN chair and president Gabby Lopez, EVP Charo Santos-Concio, Cory Vidanes, Linggit Tan, Malou Santos, Olive Lamasan, Deo Endrinal, Lauren Dyogi and Business Unit heads for Sharon Enrico Santos and Cathy Perez.

Sharon also acknowledged the presence of direk Joey Reyes, Fanny Serrano, Amalia Fuentes, mom Elaine Cuneta, and family members – Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Frankie and Miel.

Aegis and Sandwich performed special song numbers, while Itchyworms, aside from its solo spot, did a duet with Sharon called Akin Ka Na Lang.

The Pinoy Dream Academy Honor List of Six – Yeng Constantino, Jay-R Siaboc, Ronnie Liang, Irish Fullerton, Panky Trinidad and Chad Peralta – proved why they are on top of their class as they did an impressive ’80s medley. U Can Dance finalists Hazel Anne Mendoza, Nene Tamayo, AJ Dee and Aaron Villaflor wowed the audience as they grooved to the beat of the more vibed version of I-swing Mo Ako, one of Sharon’s earlier hit.

The new Agent X-44 Vhong Navarro also headlined a highly-entertaining novelty dance number with co-stars Pokwang, Cass Ponti and Juliana Palermo.

ABS-CBN’s popular loveteams, Shaina Magdayao and Rayver Cruz, Sam Milby and Anne Curtis and John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, also figured in a song and dance spot. The stars of Star Magic, Maja Salvador and John Prats, among others, did a showstopping dance number.

Pokwang, Candy Pangilinan, and Chokoleit tickled the audience’s funny bones as they impersonated the megastar in one of the show’s segments.

Sharon also did duets with her "babies" in the business – Sam Milby (After All), Judy Ann Santos (I Won’t Last a Day Without You) and Piolo Pascual (Init Sa Magdamag, which Sharon earlier recorded with Nonoy Zuñiga).

Ryan Agoncillo and Marvin Agustin gave their warmest birthday greetings live, but it was Vilma Santos’ message that made Sharon, a self-confessed Vilmanian, shed tears.

After hearing her Ate Vi’s message, Sharon humbly said, "I will always walk a step behind Vilma Santos, because she will always be the Star for all Seasons."

After almost two hours of nonstop entertainment, the show peaked with, as expected, a very heartwarming duet by Sharon and daughter KC Concepcion, who earlier serenaded her mom with Do I Make You Cry? The mother-daughter team performed the modern classic Wind Beneath My Wings, which was given fresh arrangement by Louie Ocampo.

After the special number, Sharon, who had Bayani Agbayani as co-host, ended the show with her stirring rendition of To Love Again, which she re-recorded for her Isn’t It Romantic album. But the fans prodded her to do an encore and Sharon willingly obliged by singing the OPM classic love song Ikaw.

The extravagance of the Sharon Cuneta birthday bash 2007, directed by Johnny Manahan, only gives fans a glimpse of the hectic year that will come her way this year. In fact, in previous birthday interviews and during the concert, Sharon expressed that she is excited to start filming a Star Cinema movie with director Chito Roño and Makisig Morales next month. Aside from this assignment, Sharon will also appear in other film outings. She even begged Star Cinema’s big boss Malou Santos to allow her to do a film with director Lauren Dyogi.

On top of her movie projects, Sharon is also scheduled to do concert tours, record new albums and star in numerous commercials. She, of course, will continue hosting her musical-variety-talk show Sharon, which airs Sunday nights on ABS-CBN.