Sharon Cuneta, the “Megastar” of the Philippines, recently shared how much her visit to Mindanao meant to her, calling it one of the “highlights of my life.” She was there with her husband, former Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, for an important political visit. Pangilinan was receiving support from the United Bangsamoro Justice Party (UBJP), which is the official political group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). This party officially endorsed his Senate re-election bid.
Sharon, known for her love and support for Mindanao, explained that her connection to the region goes back to her childhood. She shared with the crowd that her love for Mindanao has been in her heart since she was little. It’s so important to her that when she talks about it, she calls Mindanao her “baby.” She even jokes that she always asks her husband about how things are progressing in the region, saying, “I would always tell him that, ‘My baby, what about my baby?'”
Sharon’s love for the culture and people of Mindanao started early. As a child, she felt a strong connection to the Muslim culture in the region. When Kiko became a senator in 2001, Sharon immediately reached out to his office for information on Mindanao. She was determined to learn more and show her support.
In 2018, Sharon went even further to help Mindanao by launching a fundraiser for the people of Marawi, a city in Mindanao affected by conflict. She shared the fundraiser details on her social media accounts, including Facebook and Instagram, to encourage others to join her in supporting the cause.
Sharon’s message to the people of Mindanao was heartfelt: “We are all brothers and sisters, my love for you is real.” She hopes that her visit and her support for Mindanao will help bring attention to the region and its importance in the Philippines.
For Sharon, her visit to Mindanao wasn’t just a political trip—it was a deeply personal journey to show her love and support for the people and the culture that have always been close to her heart.
