With more than four decades in the industry, Sharon Cuneta was just 18 when she got the monicker Megastar, with the blessing from a very special friend in the industry. Last December 18, the veteran actress revealed in a social media post that she was mourning the loss of veteran entertainment writer Ed De Leon who had given her that name.

In a recent Instagram post, she wrote a loving tribute to the man she lovingly called “kuya.”

“Tonight, I received some very sad news. My good old friend, Kuya, protector, defender, tireless supporter since my teens, passed away. Ed De Leon was the one who first called me 'The Megastar.' I am sure that he had no idea then how much it would impact my career and life. My heart is broken. Again. I feel like an era has ended. He loved me and I loved him. I wish God would’ve taken him home some other time, not just a few days before Christmas. I will miss you, my dearest Kuya Ed.”

In a 2022 interview with PEP, Ed shared how he was able to get inspiration for Sharon’s title after seeing the thousands of fans who showed up to catch a glimpse of their idols during Sharon’s wedding to her former love team partner Gabby Concepcion in 1984. They eventually legally separated in 1987, with the marriage officially getting annulled in 1993.

In the interview, Ed shared, “Pagkatapos ng kasal, naghanap ako sa dictionary ng prefix. Yung mega kasi, prefix na kapag ginamit mo sa noun or anything, it multiplies by ten million. Sabi ko, puwede ang Megastar—a star to ten million people. Actually, idea lang yun, pero hindi ako ang nagbigay sa kanya ng Megastar title. Kung hindi ko nakita yung mga tao na ganoon karami, hindi ko maiisip yun. So, it was actually yung utak ng mga tao na nilagyan mo lang ng word."

Before ending her post, Sharon made sure to give thanks to her late friend and colleague in the industry and share how much she is grieving the loss.

”Thank you for loving me, encouraging me, fighting for me. For believing in me when others in the business were hurting me so much and making me doubt myself. You and I - we showed them, didn’t we? Just as you had predicted we would. I cannot find the words to describe how much pain losing you - truly a part of my life - has brought upon me, and surely on others who love you.

"Thank you, my Kuya Ed. Endlessly. I love you with all my heart. I cannot believe that you are gone. 🙏🏻💔✝️🖤 My deepest condolences to Kuya Ed’s family and friends. (P.S. Tonight I am like a kid again. My tears won’t stop falling. It hurts so much. He gave my my title. 🖤)”