Sharon urges netizens to just ‘be happy’ for Coco, Julia

By HannaH MalloRCa Inquirer.net

AMID the backlash drawn by Coco Martin over his admission of having started dating Julia Montes when she was just a minor, Sharon Cuneta finally spoke about the couple’s secret relationship.

Martin earlier revealed that he’s been with Julia Montes for 12 years, during which he let slip in an interview with ABS-CBN’s TV Patrol that the actress was only 16 years old when she got into a relationship with the then 29 year old actor back in 2011. This prompted observers to criticize Martin not only their huge age gap, but also on wooing her at such a young age, while some even accused him of allegedly grooming his reallife partner.

On Instagram, Sharon Cuneta expressed happiness for the couple, as she also urged netizens to just support her “Batang Quiapo” co-stars for their love to last.

The veteran actress said that she became close to the “Walang Hanggan” stars when she joined the cast of

“Ang Probinsyano” in 2021.

“Umamin na ang mga anak ko yaayyy!!! Happy si Mommy ‘mysha! [emojis] I became close to Coco [and] Julia when Coco asked me to join FPJ’s ‘Ang Probinsyano’ towards the end of 2021. Whatever they may have gone through together, well, it all seems to have been for the best because they are so good to and for each other.” she wrote in the caption.

The seasoned actress said that being her personal friends, she is protective and supportive of Martin and Montes, adding that people “should focus on what is and what will be.”

“They are happy and that makes me and so many others happy. I love them both very much — and no matter what, my friends know that I am protective and loyal and supportive — and that certainly will not change,” she said. “I believe people should focus on what is and what will be rather than what was. Let’s all be happy with our own lives and be happy kinakanta ko ang madalas ma-request. Naalala ko ‘yung unang kinanta ko, I Keep Forgettin’ (Every Time You’re Near) by Michael McDonald, si Richard Merk napalingon bigla at sabi, ‘Saan galing ‘yun?,’” he quipped.

However, Rodel and Naldy left for Singapore to perform and when they returned in 1985, they co-founded Side A, along with other original members Kelly Badon, Joey Benin, Pido Lalimarmo and Mar Dizon.

In 2002, Rodel migrated to Hawaii and began pursuing his art career. His cousin, Roy Gonzalez, a well-known seascape artist in Hawaii, introduced him to different galleries and invited him to join in art shows.

“I was around seven or eight years old when I began painting because my Lolo and my father were painters. We had art galleries in Mabini when I was young. But, of course, I also wanted to try something different, so I shifted to music,” shared he.

“My dad was not completely sold (on) the idea but he still supported me. Of course, I wanted to prove that making music is good,” said Rodel, who wrote the songs Eva Marie and ‘Di Pa Huli when he was in his 20s.

But fate brought him back to the art scene when Rodel began receiving many invites from different galleries outside of Hawaii — most of them were in Los Angeles.

“In 2008, we decided to transfer to L.A. because it’s difficult for us to travel from Hawaii so often. I was already in L.A. when James Coleman, the background artist of Beauty and the Beast and Winnie the Pooh, asked if I wanted to become a Disney artist. We would often meet in art shows,” said he.

“James told me that the CEO of Disney Fine Art is a fan of mine. So, ako naman s’yempre natuwa ako, pero I said that I’m not an animator. In the end, I accepted the offer because he said that I excel in background art because I do a lot of seascape and landscape paintings and I could still do them by incorporating them (into) the Disney characters, basta consistent lang sa movie plot. They also provided me with some guidelines and also, I tried to immerse myself and study the craft, ‘yung the Disney world, so that I can easily come up with a concept at para hindi rin nakakahiya if ever may Disney fans na makausap (laughs),” added he.

His works appealed to many art lovers to the point that most of his Disney artworks can be seen not just in the children’s bedroom but also in the living rooms or dining rooms.

“Dahil sa background, parang naging fit for all ages ‘yung kinalabasan. Naging formula ko kasi ay 80 percent background and 20 percent Disney characters,” shared Rodel who, by the way, majored in painting at the University of Santo Tomas.

American filmmaker George Lucas also admired Rodel’s creative talent that he bought four of his artworks and added them to his collections.

“That was the time when Walt Disney (Company) acquired Lucasfilm. At first, I thought it was just a prank when someone called me up and said that he’s calling from George Lucas’ office, but later on, I was informed that George Lucas wanted to buy my works. To be collected by the man himself is a privilege and an honor. So, nag-thrive rin ‘yung mga gawa ko at kinuha rin ako to do Star Wars (artworks). And then last year, Disney also had Marvel and I was also offered to work on them (characters).” for them.”

Cuneta’s post caught the attention of eagle-eyed observers, as seen in the comments of her post, with some pointing out that Martin supposedly took back the admission of his relationship with Montes.

While the couple has yet to disclose how their romance began, they first worked together in the 2008 show “Ligaw na Bulaklak” and were then launched as a love team in “Walang Hanggan” four years later. n

Art connoisseurs can expect some of Rodel’s Disney artworks in his one-man art show aside from his seascape and landscape paintings, and his artworks with NBA stars Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Lebron James and Stephen Curry as subjects.

Rodel shared that it was Kingson Sian, president of Newport World Resorts, who broached the idea of holding an exhibit in the country so that more Filipinos will get to know that we have a kababayan who is famous for his artworks in the U.S.

“I’m so blessed that at my age, I’m turning 64 this year, I am still able to do the two things that I love the most — art and music. So, this is really a ‘Wow’ feeling for me.”

In spite of what he has achieved in the art and music scenes, Rodel remains the same — humble and kind.

“Each one of us can aim high. Hindi imposible mangarap at maabot ang tagumpay. So, I hope that more Filipinos will shine. For me, I thank God for blessing me with the things that I love doing. All I want now is to continue and just live without any worries, ‘yung maganda ang pag-iisip natin because once the Lord tells us, our time is up, then, there’s nothing we can do,” he concluded. n