Sharon Cuneta looks back on her music and career

Sharon Cuneta was only 12 years old when she released ‘Mr DJ’—its impact so profound that it catapulted her to stardom or, in her case, Megastardom

The triumph of Megastar Sharon Cuneta started with a simple “yes.”

As a young girl, Cuneta always looked forward to annual parties. Family has always been one of the most important aspects of her life—a value she still holds dear today. What better way to celebrate those bonds than through these gatherings? She felt most like herself during these moments, performing for her loved ones with joy and ease.

At one such event, her uncle, former Senate President Tito Sotto—then the vice president of Vicor Music Corporation—presented her with a life-changing opportunity. “I had looked up to his wife, my Mama Helen Gamboa (my mother’s sister), all my life, so of course, I was thrilled and immediately said yes.”

Twelve days before her 12th birthday in 1978, Cuneta was picked up after school at St Paul College in Pasig. The driver told her they were headed to her Uncle Tito’s place at his request. “My heart leaped with joy,” Cuneta recalls. “When I arrived at his office that afternoon in my school uniform, he played Tawag ng Pag-ibig for me and asked, ‘Can you sing that?’ I recorded it a few days later, and that song became my first single.”

Shortly after, she recorded the iconic Mr. DJ. The rest, as they say, is history.

Cuneta was only 12 years old when she released Mr DJ, a single so impactful that it catapulted her to stardom—or in her case, Megastardom. She quickly followed up with several songs that became instant anthems for an entire generation. Hits like Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, High School, and Bituing Walang Ningning cemented her status as an icon.

When asked what is it about her talent that makes people want to listen, she humbly admits she’s unsure. “I guess I just love to sing, and I pay attention to the lyrics, interpreting the words accordingly,” she explains.

The Megastar is known for her alto, girl-next-door voice and her ability to sing from the heart. In the decades she’s been in the business, she also had her own musical/talk shows, so she’s been able to do songs from all genres. “I think my voice is kind of ‘flexible’. It adapts to many kinds of music.” These, along with many other qualities, are perhaps why the masses connect so deeply with her songs.

Above A young Sharon Cuneta (Photo: Sharon Cuneta)

Above 14-year-old Sharon Cuneta in a tennis outfit (Photo: Sharon Cuneta)

A young Sharon Cuneta (Photo: Sharon Cuneta)

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“On top of all the awards and recognitions and hit records—my greatest achievement is truly the fact that lots of my music has transcended generations and has touched many people somehow,” she says.

Her songs continue to resonate across different platforms, finding even a home on both the big and small screens. A recent example is her track Hanggang Dulo from the Megastar album, released under Star Magic, which was selected as the theme song for her latest ABS-CBN series, Saving Grace. “That truly makes me so happy,” she exclaims with joy.

Above Sharon Cuneta for “Saving Grace,” ABS-CBN’s Philippine adaptation of the hit Japanese drama “Mother” from Nippon TV (Photo: ABS-CBN)

Sharon Cuneta for “Saving Grace,” ABS-CBN’s Philippine adaptation of the hit Japanese drama “Mother” from Nippon TV (Photo: ABS-CBN)

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Beyond her music, Cuneta is also a celebrated actress and part of a legendary group of stars who defined an era in Philippine entertainment. Hailed as the Megastar, she stands alongside Superstar Nora Aunor, Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos. Her popularity has even been the subject of academic study, as seen in the thesis titled A Case Study of a Sharon Cuneta Fan Club in Metro Manila, published by De La Salle University, among others.

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Throughout her career, Cuneta has consistently demonstrated an ability to evolve and adapt to changing trends while maintaining her unique style. Her collaborations with prominent Filipino artists, such as Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Martin Nievera, have produced memorable duets, highlighting her versatility and ability to harmonise beautifully with others.

“My Zsa Zsa and my Regine remain my favourite collaborations,” she fondly shares. “Zsa Zsa is world-class. We kind of grew up together in the business (I was eighteen when we became friends), and she has always been generous with her talent and has such a big heart,” she says. “Regine, as we all know, is also super talented and one of the best singers I’ve ever come across. But she is also a wonderful human being—a generous co-performer. She and ZsaZsa have sort of been my ‘teachers’ also over the years! I miss them all the time because working with these two has been nothing but the happiest experience of my career.”

Above Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, and Zsa Zsa Padilla’s special tribute to moms in 2023 (Video: YouTube / ABS-CBN)

Cuneta takes pride in being authentic—“warts and all.” To stay relevant, she embraces change, knowing that growth is essential. “It keeps me from being bored with myself. And since if we don’t change, we die, then I guess that’s a good thing.”

She values constructive criticism and knows how to filter out the noise. “When I can learn something from it, I take note. When it’s just meant to be destructive, my brain automatically deletes the memory of having read it.” This mindset has allowed her to remain confident as an artist. “A healthy dose of confidence is necessary, and I’ve always been careful not to be overly so. Otherwise, my performances wouldn’t be sincere, and I couldn’t live with that,” she says.

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When preparing for a concert, discipline becomes her guiding principle. Her focus shifts entirely to rehearsing and warming up her voice. “My state of mind before a performance depends on my throat’s condition. If I’m a bit under the weather, I get nervous,” she admits.

The stage, once a source of anxiety, has now become her comfort zone. “Back then, I’d be so nervous I’d be pacing back and forth, ready to faint seconds before performing. Thankfully, I’m much more at ease now. I’m always happy, though I still feel some pressure before a performance.”

She further states that knowing her fans have loved and appreciated her and her music over the years is what keeps her confident. “I never want to dishonour all the love and respect I’ve been given for decades.”

As for the future of Filipino talent on the global stage, Cuneta remains hopeful. “It’s always been my wish that Filipino performers be given the worldwide respect and attention they deserve. We are such a musical people—we sing with all our hearts. We just need a real break to be ‘seen’ all over the world,” she says. “Filipinos are and will always be among the most musically talented and gifted.”

Through all the highs and lows of her storied career, Sharon Cuneta remains an enduring beacon of Filipino artistry. Her journey from a young girl singing at family gatherings to becoming the Megastar is a testament to the power of authenticity and her unwavering love for her craft.

And while her voice has transcended generations, what truly endears her to fans is the sincerity she brings to every performance—proving that the most lasting success is built not just on talent, but on heart.

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Angela Nicole Guiral

Digital Editor, Tatler Philippines

Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.

The Makings of a Megastar: How a simple ‘yes’ changed Sharon Cuneta’s life