The Good Friend Sharon Cuneta Meets The Good Photographer Raymund Isaac

December 12, 2016

The Good Friend Sharon Cuneta Meets The Good Photographer Raymund Isaac

The Good Friend and The Good Photographer

Text by Jek Josue David

Photos by Carlo Maghirang for All Things Sharon

Sharon Cuneta was one of the guests in Raymund Isaac's The Good Photographer Book Launch at National Bookstore, Glorietta on December 10, 2016. Sharon was not part of the said book but lending her support to a very good friend, she drops by to grace the event along with another good friend of the author, Judy Ann Santos. Both invited at the same event, Raymund only announced the appearance of Sharon in his Twitter account. He posted, "(It's) confirmed. The Megastar will appear in my book launch tom. She will make this event shine brighter than I expected it to be."

well folks it's confirmed.
the mega star will appear in my book launch tom.
she will make this event shine brighter than i expected it 2 be
— RAYMUND ISAAC (@raymundisaac) December 9, 2016

According to Raymund, Juday couldn't make it to his event. He was surprised when he finally saw her.

"Pinigil ko ang luha ko. Sabi ko (sa kanya), 'Punyeta ka. Hayop ka. Nandito ka pala, " Raymund fondly relates. Even host Ricci Chan was surprised when he saw Juday at the event. Juday and Raymund worked together in the former's Judy Ann's Kitchen book. It is now on its third printing.

Titled The Good Photographer, Raymund clarifies, "Bakit daw ang kapal ko at ginamit ko ang title na 'I Am the Good Photographer.' 'The Good Photographer' is a book on how to become a good photographer. Hindi po ako 'yon. I'm not trying to be humble. I'm trying to pass little tips on what a good photographer should be. Trying to keep it simple."

Fortunately, I was able to chance upon his tweet on December 9. Bihira na kong tumambay on Twitter at nagkataong nag-scroll ako that night. I am following Raymund's account, and I've learned about the book a few days ago. I immediately asked him if Sharon's pictures are included in the book. Because if she were in it, I'd buy the book. I may not attend the launch, but I'd certainly buy the book! Basta may librong kasama si Sharon, bibilhin ko. For collection and archival purposes. I've already missed Jun de Leon's photo book where Sharon's picture was featured many years ago so I am not about to miss this one, too. (Especially that I, too, want to come up with a book na may collection ng best photos ni Sharon all throughout her showbiz career. Keeping my fingers crossed that I will make it happen!) However, Raymund's reply baffled me:

@sineasta malay mo if you show up she might...
— RAYMUND ISAAC (@raymundisaac) December 8, 2016

I didn't know what to make of it until he said that Sharon was coming to his event. Kaya pala ang gano'n ang reply, Lorie said. Even then, muntik pa rin akong di pumunta dahil may scheduled engagement that day pero di natuloy. Sa pangungumbinsi nina Gigi, Bong, at Carlo, pumunta ako along with other Sharonians.

"My Sharonians are here, did you know?" Sharon said. "A lot of them came for you. They will put it on social media. That's Jek with the Cats shirt. He's the one maintaining All Things Sharon. Uyyy! Love na love ka namin."

"Daming n'yong surprise, ah! Christmas gift na 'to," Raymund blushes.

Ricci comments, "Grabe, Raymund. Two of biggest stars in showbiz ang naka-sandwich sa 'yo."

"Darating daw si ate Vi," Juday jests.

Raymund is a self-confessed Sharonian. Meeting him after the event when he had our picture taken with him, he told us, "Dapat pala kasama ako sa n'yo." Hindi pa raw makapaniwala noon si Sharon na Sharonian siya hanggang sa inisa-isa niya ang koleksiyon niya at lyrics ng mga kanta. "Mayroon akong unedited videos," pagmamayabang niya sa 'min. "'Yong mga Zialcita raw videos niya, nasa akin. Tito ko kasi si Danny." In that case, gawin ng admin ng All Things Sharon si Raymund!

Earlier in the event, nagkuwento si Raymund. "First time kong shinoot si Sharon, pinagtawanan niya ko. Naglabas ako ng cassette tape, The Best of Sharon Cuneta. Sabi ko, 'Ma'am, pwede po bang magpa-autograph.' Sabi niya, 'Ulol!' Sabi ko, 'Ma'am, seryoso nga, I am fan since Mr. D.J.' Ayaw n'yang maniwala so kinuwento ko lahat ng love teams niya, lahat ng movies niya, until finally naniwala na siya."

The book launch was a fun one. Parang you've witnessed a gathering of good friends at nakisawsaw ka lang doon. Game na game pang nagkuwento si Sharon at bumangka ng Raymund stories just so she can express how she truly feels for him. "(Raymund) is really a great person. He's a lovely human being that's why it's easy to love him. It's so easy to do things for him because he does things for you, he goes out of his way...

"Minsan nahihiya akong magpa-picture d'yan kasi 'pag nagpi-pictorial, magugulat ka na lang, minsan ililibre ka... Ayaw magbigay ng bill so sabi ko, 'Ayoko nang magpa-picture sa 'yo.'"

Sharon then adds, "You know what, new photographers will come and old photographers, some will stay and become legends, and some will be forgotten. You will be one of those legends."

One of Sharon's favorite photos was that of Mega 30's which was taken by Raymund. Their latest collaboration was the poster for Sharon at Solaire. It won't be the last since Sharon is planning to come up with a photo book herself, documenting her travels and tours sometime in the near future.

"When I work with Raymund, I always feel loved. I am not stressed at all. He spoils us with pagmamahal lang talaga, It's effortless. Hindi pilit. It's his nature. He makes you feel beautiful lalo na if you're not feeling okay that day... Very thoughtful, very solicitous."

Later on, Raymund admits, "Ginoogle namin ni Juday ang word na solicitous. 'Ano daw? English?'" It clearly shows how comfortable the three are with each other. Nagbibiruan at naglolokohan sa isa't isa. Nabulgar pa nga ang isa sa lihim ni Raymund.

"Crush niya ko," Sharon reveals.

"Shatap," Raymund tells her.

"Ba't namumula ka, Raymund?" Juday notices.

Sharon further reveals. "Pero ang pangarap talaga ni Raymund ay makunan kaming lahat na nakahubad." Juday laughs heartily. "Lumabas naman ang lalamunan ko ro'n."

"Umoo ka na ba," Sharon asks Juday.

"Hindi," Raymund answers.

"Hindi? Ako naghihintay lang."

As a gracious host, Raymund asks Sharon what she's up to these days. She started recording for her new album. It will be an all original album as opposed to what was originally planned na all revivals. "All original, all new, all OPM," she says. It will be produced by Jonathan Manalo with writers like Rey Valera, Nyoy Volante amongst others under Star Music. "It's very exciting for me 'cause maraming fresh na kanta. Maganda ang movement ng choices of songs."

Her leading man for the very much anticipated comeback film has already been chosen. "Kahapon lang," Sharon confirms. It will be announced soon by Star Cinema. "Tita Malou had a meeting with the leading man and we are going to start shooting in January. If things go well, it will be shown in May next year." A lot of Sharonians (old and new) are hoping that it'll be Gabby Concepcion. Nangangalampag ang ShaGab fans on social media para sa kanilang balik-tambalan. Their last movie together was Tayong Dalawa in 1992.

She will do a Cinemalaya movie entitled Ang Pamilyang Hindi Lumuluha under Mes de Guzman who worked with Nora Aunor in Ang Kuwento Ni Mabuti for Cine Filipino. "May pagka-fantasy..."

"Ay, ang ironic naman 'yan from Crying Ladies , ah," Ricci quips. "Binuo talaga ni Sharon Cuneta."

"Then there's gonna be one big movie that will unbelievably star people you would never imagine will be together in one project." This might be the yet to be named movie under Ten 17 Productions of Paul Soriano which stars Richard Gomez, Albert Martinez, Arjo Artayde, William Martinez, and possibly (?) Piolo Pascual posted a few months ago on Instagram.

Her new show Your Face Sounds Familiar Kids is about to start taping this month. It will air this January. "Right after, I have another one," referring to another show. "Right after, walang break na mahaba. So ang problema namin ngayon, saan na ang US tour papasok?"

Ang isa pa sa mga plano ay ang librong isusulat ni Sharon. "It's really for people who would care to have a copy of not just the story of my life which I intend to write myself, but a book of many pictures when I go on tours" taken probably by Raymund, her assistant Anna Dasig or by her family and friends. "Parang coffee table book. Pwedeng life story or snippets ng buhay ko."

She is also active on Facebook: Sharon Cuneta, Twitter: @sharon_cuneta12, Instagram: @reallysharoncuneta, and You Tube: thesharoncunetachannel. You can engage with her in any of her social media accounts if you want to get in touch with her. (Of course, there's All Things Sharon on all social media sites. Search n'yo lang ang All Things Sharon para naman maka-engage ang Sharonians like yourselves.)

After the program, Sharon gamely poses with her Sharonians for pictures and selfies. Some of which. siya pa ang kumuha ng phone para magpa-picture when she saw na nanginginig ang kamay ng nagpapa-picture sa kanya. Di ba, Raquel, 'no?

It was a good day for both Sharon and Sharonians. Lahat ay na-accomodate niya including those na napadaan lang and saw her na game sa pagpapa-picture with fans and friends. May mga bagets pang nag-alangang lumapit sa kanya nang makita nilang may inaabot na regalo sa kanya ang iba, "Kailangang may iabot?" said one. Sinabi kong hindi at lumapit lang sa kanya.

That is one of her best traits. Hindi ka niya tatanggihan na magpakuha ng picture with her unless she is sick or she has to leave immediately. Kapag siya na ang naging batayan mo sa pakikitungo ng isang bituin sa mga ordinaryong nilalang, madali kang madi-disappoint at mapa-frustrate sa ibang artista. That could either be good or bad para sa ibang artista.

One of the last pictures taken with her was with the National Bookstore staff who eagerly waited for their chance with her. Ang saya-saya nila after at nagpalakpakan pa especially nang ipagmalaki ni Sharon na "Laking National" din siya.

Overall, hindi lang suporta kay Raymund Isaac ang binigay ni Sharon kundi maging sa kanyang loyal supporters na matagal nang sumusubaybay sa kanya. Never siyang nakalimot magbigay ng appreciation sa pagmamahal na tinatanggap niya mula sa amin. To quote Raymund, "At the end of the day... is night!"