Sharon touches lives

It seems that all ears and eyes in the country were tuned in on TV5 last May 14, eager to get the first look at the much awaited, controversy-ridden daily talk show of the Megastar Sharon Cuneta in her new station after moving out of ABS-CBN. Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid had to prove it was worth it — the heartache, the brickbats from all corners including her newest membership in Twitter; the usual accusations of disloyalty; the issue of mukhang pera when the figure of the P1B talent fee for the five-year contract was uncovered; and so on and so forth.

In two press conferences, Sharon had answered all accusations of disloyalty, money matters, even the breach with Helen Gamboa which had nothing to do with TV5. A month ago, another ABS-CBN contract star Derek Ramsay, went through the same issues of disloyalty, mukhang pera, etc. It appears ABS-CBN is truly destined for these momentary desertions. Most of the stars who have joined TV5 have come from ABS-CBN for one reason or another from Willie Revillame, Ruffa Gutierrez, Aga Muhlach, Mariel Rodriguez, Maricel Soriano, Derek and Dolphy. And yes, those who have opted to sign contracts with TV5 have had some legitimate axes to grind, most of which have to do with the lack of “respect,” real or imagined.

Judy Ann Santos whom Sharon considers her baby sister answered parenting questions from the audience and gave cooking tips during her guesting on the pilot episode.

But moving to a new station where one needs to make a whole lot of adjustments is a difficult decision. Richard Gomez, Robin Padilla and Cesar Montano are among those who kept moving from GMA to ABS and back in the past, including TV5 today. For these restless types, perhaps the solution is for them to remain freelance. They are well-known, much awarded, and have remained handsome hunks through the years. It appears that Robin (ABS-CBN’s Toda Max), Richard (ABS-CBN’s Walang Hanggan) and (TV5’s Biggest Game Show in the World) and Cesar (directing movies) are momentarily happy where they are.

Sharon’s Kasama Mo, Kapatid daily show sounded like a whole lot of hard work and pressure not only on her, but also on TV5 which has to prove to everyone that getting the Megastar to change courts after 30 years was the right decision. In speaking of the endless meetings they had for the concept to jell, Sharon spoke of how she noticed Perci Intalan, TV5 VP head of creative and entertainment observing her vividly. When her face lit up, Perci knew that was the sign she was happy with the discussions. And most often it had to do with bringing the show down to the masa, the ordinary viewer with ordinary dreams, but bigger problems than most of us.

For her dealings with TV5, Sharon had put up a company Mega Productions involving Boss Vic del Rosario who is also her manager, and Sandra Chavez, prime mover of Artist House. Quite a few of her staff from ABS-CBN followed her. They, too, therefore have a stake in the program, and future shows involving Mega.

Sharon with Cristy Fermin (left) and Lolit Solis.

On Monday’s pilot show, we were not at all surprised to see Judy Ann Santos whom she considers her baby sister. They gave cooking tips, answered parenting questions from the audience. It was a perfect Mother’s Day show that would start off Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid. During the week, guests also include the tandem of Lolit Solis (GMA) and Cristy Fermin (TV5), both no nonsense entertainment hosts from separate stations. They helped project the message that everyone is welcome, and that anything goes in the discussions on their sex lives that were hilarious, we were afraid they would be rated R. Although celebrities have guested (like newlyweds Shalani Soledad and Roman Romulo, the Tulfo brothers, Richard, Edu Manzano and Lorna Tolentino) the most important segment remains the inspiring real life stories from the man and woman on the street, on how they battled with the day-to-day problems and came out victorious.

(Tune in daily to Sharon: Kasama Mo, Kapatid, 4:30 p.m. E-mail your comments to [email protected].)