Sharon Cuneta joked Senator Kiko Pangilinan would be a ‘nepo husband’ if he were extravagant

• Megastar Sharon Cuneta joked that her husband, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, would be a "nepo husband" only if he maintained a luxurious lifestyle

• The quip was a subtle but effective way to defend the senator's reputation, highlighting his integrity and contrasting it with her own independently earned wealth

• The joke leveraged the current political spotlight on the term "nepo babies," turning the narrative to emphasize Kiko Pangilinan's modest conduct in public office

• Cuneta directly engaged a netizen who criticized the joke, reinforcing that her comment was made in jest and not meant to be taken seriously

Megastar Sharon Cuneta sparked a flurry of online reactions over the weekend after she deployed a witty, pointed joke aimed at her husband, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, referencing the viral political term "nepotism" to highlight his integrity and humble lifestyle.

In an Instagram post shared on Saturday, September 27, Cuneta playfully wrote, "Kung maluho lang si @kiko.pangilinan, NEPO HUSBAND ang itatawag sa kanya" (If Kiko Pangilinan were luxurious, he'd be called a NEPO HUSBAND).

The quip immediately resonated with followers, generating a mix of supportive affirmation and a handful of critical takes.

The humor hinges on the current, highly sensitive public discourse surrounding "nepo babies"—a term that has recently gained political notoriety in the Philippines, shifting from a simple reference to family privilege to implying a link to wealth possibly derived from corruption, such as the anomalies recently exposed in flood control projects.

Cuneta’s statement served as an indirect but clear defense of her husband’s character. By establishing a conditional link—if he were extravagant, he would be a "nepo husband"—she subtly emphasized that his actual, non-luxurious lifestyle proves the opposite.

It draws a stark contrast between her own considerable wealth, accumulated over decades as a performing artist, and the senator's modest public image.

Many netizens were quick to appreciate the Megastar’s underlying message. Comments overwhelmingly praised Senator Pangilinan for his simplicity and integrity, often pointing out that Cuneta's long-established financial success ensures their family's comfort does not rely on his political position.

One commenter remarked that the situation is proof that "Sharon is richer than Kiko, and Sharon has been wealthy for a long time," concluding, "All of Mega’s Hermes bags come from blood, sweat, and sleepless nights.

Not from the people's pockets." Another supporter lauded the actress for choosing a husband "with honor and integrity," expressing hope that Pangilinan’s "legacy" of honest service would continue.

However, the post was not without detractors. One netizen criticized the remark, simply writing, "Not a funny joke! Not a nice thing to say!!!"

True to her reputation as a responsive figure online, Cuneta immediately engaged the critic, replying, "Joke, Mayette. What’s the prob?"

The exchange quickly escalated, with other followers rushing to the Megastar's defense, attributing the criticism to a lack of "reading comprehension" or suggesting the critic was a troll supporting rival political figures.

The controversy underscores the volatile nature of political commentary on social media, especially when public figures leverage viral terms.

Cuneta’s joke successfully co-opted the "nepo" narrative, turning it on its head to protect her husband from politically motivated attacks by stressing his consistent, non-corrupt conduct throughout his career in public service.

The Merriam-Webster definition of nepotism as a "favoritism... to give a job, privilege, or opportunity to someone because of being related by blood or marriage" only serves to further validate Cuneta's point: Kiko Pangilinan's lack of an extravagant lifestyle is a powerful, visual testament that he has not been unduly favored by or benefited from his own political power.

Sharon Cuneta is a Filipino actress, singer, television host, and entrepreneur. She is often referred to as the "Megastar" of Philippine entertainment due to her decades-long career and immense influence in the industry. She is also the mother of KC Concepcion, her daughter with fellow actor, Gabby Concepcion. In 1996, the Megastar tied the knot with Kiko Pangilinan, a former Senator. Kiko and Shawie then have three truly wonderful children.

About two weeks ago, Shawie became emotional because of a viral video. A video of the meeting between Sen. Kiko Pangilinan and Helen Gamboa circulated on social media. Helen was even accompanied by her daughter, Ciara Sotto, during the meetup. Because of this, the one and only Megastar was truly touched, a sentiment that delighted many.

Previously, the Megastar announced she will take a social media and phone detox, staying in touch only with her family. Shawie shared that her “mind and emotions are gonna take a vacation from everything extra.” She previously admitted that social media once made her “somebody I didn’t like at all,” leading to a month-long hiatus last year. Her announcement comes after celebrating daughter KC Concepcion’s return as a WFP Goodwill Ambassador and Frankie Pangilinan’s achievements.

Source: KAMI.com.gh