MANILA, Philippines—Now that “BFF,” Sharon Cuneta’s comedy film with Ai-Ai delas Alas, is about to be released, it’s time to appreciate the Megastar’s career moves of late. Specifically, we must focus on the fact that Sharon remains busy as a trimedia star, despite her increased girth and heft.

Importance

The conventional wisdom in local entertainment is that stars need to look svelte and young in order to sustain their popularity. In the past, Sharon gave due importance to this “rule.” When she gained weight, she went on a rigorous campaign to regain her svelte figure, and she was spectacularly successful.

This time around, however, she has yet to do that, and now projects herself as both more mature and plump. On her weekly TV show, the “bigger” Sharon appears to be comfortable with her new image. If her viewer appeal has suffered, it hasn’t been apparent—so far.

So, Sharon is now making a movie, the first she’s done in her present, fuller form. Will movie fans be as accepting?

One factor that suggests the answer is positive is the fact that the movie is a comedy, a film format that doesn’t require stars to look svelte and lovely.

On the other hand, people have to pay to watch a film, as opposed to viewing a show on “free” TV. So, the “visual appeal” factor could be a bigger player in the movies than it is on television, where fans seem to have taken the Megastar’s now more physically “Mega” form in relative stride. In other words, people who have to pay good money may require stars to look like stars—or else.

For instance, another movie queen was also a very popular star, but when she put on a lot of weight like Sharon, she couldn’t sustain her stellar career for much longer. Will the same outcome eventually happen to Sharon, or is she popular enough to make her own rules?

Effectivity

A final factor that could tip the outcome of Sharon’s movie her way would be its effectivity as a comedy. If it turns out to be really funny, viewers wouldn’t care so much about the way its stars look, because its sense of unbridled fun would sweep them away.

Whatever the actual outcome of the Sharon-Ai-Ai comedy (directed by Wenn Deramas), it’s likely that the Megastar has carefully thought these things through, so her decision to “go” with her fuller form both on the small and big screen is a calculated move. We hope she’s made the right decision, and if her movie turns out to be good, we’ll support it all the way.

Personally, however, we miss the “old” (less heavy) Sharon, and we worry about her health. Is it just us or do other Sharon boosters feel the same way?