There are many ways to usher in and welcome the New Year.
There are purposeful wills.
There are fateful twists.
Still, there are others that are either accidental or destined. Neither here nor there and some things in between.
In the case of megastar Sharon Cuneta, 2026 ushered in with a mix of joy and tears.
One day before her birthday which fell on the sixth of the first month of the year, Sharon's kin departed from this earth.
Dr. Donna Pangilinan Simpao, sister of Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Cuneta’s husband, died on January 5, 2026.
Naturally, the Pangilinan family was stricken with bereavement and sadness.
"Losing a beloved sister is one of the hardest things to have to deal with. As my small family mourns her passing, our hearts also go out (much more) to Donna’s husband, Gilbert, and their four children. Please pray for strength for us all through this most difficult time. Thank you so much," wrote Sharon lamentably on her Facebook wall with a clasped prayerful hands emoji all in a row.
One day before the tragedy struck, the singer-actress was in high heavens, in full regalia as ABS-CBN's "ASAP" devoted its entire production in celebration tribute to her birthday.
On that first Sunday of the year, who would ever know that on the following day, a bad event was just around to happen albeit after the first tick of the clock of the New Year while Sharon was on standby on cue before the television cameras of ABS-CBN's "ASAP" aired over A2Z Channel 11 and the newly collaborated ALLTV Channel 2?
Shawie was in her best elements even when she was just inside the dressing room.
"It was such a happy Sunday celebrating my birthday with my Abs-Cbn and ASAP family! Thank you much, I love you all," she shouted out with a pink heart emoji.
Rewind to the last day, to the last hours, to the last minutes, to the last seconds of the last year, Sharon was at the Solaire Resort North for the New Year countdown show "A Night of Icons" with Martin Nievera and Rachel Ann Go.
It was an amazing night at her exclusive dressing room.
"Waiting to sing at Solaire North the other night! @solaireresortnorth Sinalubong namin ang (Met the) New Year. Happy New Year!!!"
In her posts, the Megastar said she was in her new hairdo. "(Missed my bob. Extensions! Still have short hair!)," she exclaimed with various colorful emojis and thanked her stylists Peachy Mariano, Jeffrey Aromin and Jot Losa.
After the musically joyful embracing the New Year, Cuneta wouldn't let go of any moments giving credits to her fellow performers.
"Happy 2026, everyone! Sharing some behind-the-scenes from the Solaire Resort North New Year's Eve Countdown that I performed in with my dearest ‘Shweethert’, the Concert King, Martin Nievera, and the lovely Rachelle Anne Go. Hope you all enjoy watching! Happy New Year."
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