Sharon Cuneta records two new albums in a row

Fresh from the overwhelming success of her "Megathirty" anniversary concert at the jampacked Araneta Coliseum last Friday, the country’s one and only megastar Ms. Sharon Cuneta is not likely to slow down on her 30th glorious year in the business.

Right now, the megastar is neck deep with studio work as she executes the well-laid plans she and her home recording company, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, have meticulously put together to compliment her 30th anniversary year. She has been completing two brand new albums – the first is the third installment in her much-awaited "Isn’t It Romantic?" series on Original Pilipino Music (OPM) and the second, a children’s album of favorite lullabies and hymns and catchy nursery rhymes which kids and mothers will surely love.

The OPM album is just about done and is targeted for a September release. Revival songs dominate the album’s repertoire including the well-loved familiar ditties "Habang Atin Ang Gabi" by Southborder, "Heto Na Naman" by Gary Valenciano, "Bakit Ba Ganyan" by Dina Bonnevie, "Paalam" by Louie Ocampo, and "Saranggola sa Ulan" by Gary Granada, among many others.

The children’s album, aside from being a groundbreaking feat in the local recording industry, is the one project that Sharon considers very close to home. She is deeply involved in the conceptualization of it. In fact, her children Frankie and Miel were admittedly the ones providing her with song ideas for inclusion in its repertoire and she’s been so happy with the feedback so far.

Sharon’s idea for this album, according to Sony BMG A&R director Vic Valenciano, is to provide mommies and children a peak into the life of a child by way of music. "Something like getting into his world, witnessing a day in the life of a child. From the time he wakes up, to the time he goes to sleep at night, and every little activity in between – taking a bath, school time, play time, neighborhood activities, taking care of pets, dinner – the album constitutes songs to immortalize those moments with these little wonders parents treasure so much."

Sharon thought of this project "because I have two young children whom I love watching as they sing along with and dance to their children’s CD. Also in school, they are taught both English and Tagalog children’s and folk songs. Kiko and I just thought it would be great to do this album while they are young and can still appreciate this collection," she said.

Sharon has a deeper reason for coming up with this outing. "Another important goal for me is to be able to share our kind of music with Pinoy children all over the world who didn’t grow up here and therefore know so little of our very own folk songs. Hopefully, they appreciate the songs done in English."

Truth to tell, Sharon’s loyal fans, who have seen her through all of the ups and downs of her 30 years, now have things to look forward to in the life of their "idol." Sharon has them in mind as well for this children’s album. "This album is also for my fans who have grown up with me and who are also mommies and daddies now."