Megastar Sharon Cuneta attended the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Parade of Stars last Dec. 24 in ‘obedience’ to what her late Yaya Luring would have wanted her to do.

“Maiinis siya [Luring] kung di ako nagparada,” Sharon explains on “Startalk.”

“At magagalit siya kung di ako nag-ayos, naglipstick [dun]…sasabihin niya na di ako mukhang artista, di aka mukhang Miss Universe.”

It is recalled that  Luring or Loretta Benitez, 83, passed away on Dec. 19 a few days prior to the official start of the MMFF. Sharon was so grief-stricken over her death that she cancelled her next TV guest appearances and even skipped attending the “Mano Po 6: My Mother’s Love” premiere.

And although life has to go on, the pain of losing Luring lingers which was especially felt when Sharon and her family celebrated their first Christmas without her.

“Di na kumpleto kasi wala na si Yaya. Tatlo ang magulang ko, tapos nawala na ‘yung dalawa [the other is her father, Mayor Pablo Cuneta]. First Christmas since nagkaisip ako na wala na si Wawa,” says Sharon.

The Megastar’s husband, Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, recalls the times he had with Yaya Luring when their family took a sabbatical in Boston, USA some years back.

“Magkasama [kami ni Luring] sa mga household chores.. Palitan kami sa paglalaba at sa paghugas ng pinggan. Pero siya ang nagpla-plantsa kasi di ako marunong nun,” says he.

Kiko sums up how they feel over Yaya Luring’s death.

“Napakasakit na nawala si Yaya…’di mapapalitan ng anumang bagay ang sakripisyo at dedikasyon niya kay Sharon [at sa buong pamilya].”

The new ‘Avengers’

Bianca Cruz, Rye Burgos and Zeryl Lim are now called Avengers after getting the boot in “StarStruck V.”

Bianca considers her departure from the show as a blessing in disguise.

“Blessings na rin kasi ngayon, matutuloy ko na ang pag-aaral ko,” says the Centro Escolar student.

Rye, on the other hand, admits that he sought out and insisted on staying with “Starstruck” finalist Nina right after his goodbye.

“Si Nina kasi ang ka-close ko,” explains Rye. “At may potential siya, nahihiya lang. Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya na ibigay niya ang lahat.”

Asked if he has a crush on Nina, Rye quips, “Kami na po ni Nina---di lang niya alam!”

Zeryl regrets that illness prevented her from appearing on some of the show’s episodes in which she could have displayed her best.

“Di ko intensyon na magkasakit ako…di [tuloy] ako nakapag-put up ng fight. I felt may injustice sa nangyari,” says she.