MANILA, Philippines—As Sharon Cuneta celebrates her 52nd birthday, the ‘Megastar’ revealed that she and husband Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan almost parted ways last year.
In her birthday celebration in noon-time variety show ASAP on ABS-CBN last Sunday, Cuneta thanked friends in the showbiz industry and her family, who were also present in the celebration. Her message to husband Sen. Pangilinan, however, stood out as it gave an honest glimpse into their 21-year marriage.
“Kiko, thank you. We’ve been through so much, so very much. We almost lost each other last year. I praise God that the family is together and the children are happy,” Cuneta said.
It is not a secret to the public that Cuneta and Pangilinan have gone through marital problems in the past. Like all other marriages, Cuneta said last year that the couple’s marriage is “not perfect.”
“There are times na gusto mong iwan [that you want to leave]. There are times na gusto mong patayin [that you want to kill]. Ganoon lang naman, lahat mag-asawa [That’s just how all married couples are]. I’m just being frank and honest,” Cuneta said in an appearance on “Tonight with Boy Abunda” on June 2 last year.
“He’s (Kiko) is a very good man, that’s why I married him. It’s just that we didn’t grow up in the same household, with the same parents. Of course, we are two different people,” she added.
In September, Cuneta described her marriage as “existing.”
Asked how her heart feels at the moment, the Megastar simply gave a cryptic smile at the camera.
“It’s nobody’s fault. It’s not Kiko’s fault,” she, however, clarified. “My heart has been so battered over the years. Now all you have to do is to put it on real butter and fry it and leave it.”
But, alas, the couple came out as champions and conquered the marital woes they faced. And this year, they are more committed to strengthening their marriage.
“I know everlasting love is not easy and yet here we are still committed to try with all our hearts to make it happen and doing so one day at a time,” Pangilinan said in a birthday message to his wife, posted on Instagram on Saturday. “With God’s grace, love, our love for one another, will conquer all.”
“I will always be here for you cheering you on. Finding ways, day in and day out, to look out for you, to care for you, to make things right with and for you and to love you, dearly, truly, wholeheartedly now, always, forever,” he added.