We fondly remember Dorina Pineda, an iconic character played by Megastar Sharon Cuneta, as that one-of-a-kind fangirl who creates special sampaguita garlands for her idol Lavinia Arguelles, portrayed by La Primera Contravida Cherie Gil, in the 1985 film Bituing Walang Ningning.
Thirty-seven years later, Cherie passed away, leaving behind her real-life best friend Sharon, and still, true friendship conquers all. Her “Dorina” remains faithful, putting sampaguita garlands on her photo like she did in the movie nearly four decades ago.
“This was Cherie’s last present to me, which she gave me the last time we had dinner together at Shangri-la Makati’s Japanese Restaurant. She handed it to me beautifully gift-wrapped. And when I opened it, we hugged. That was Cherie. As mataray as she was in her movies, she was as sweet in real life,” she shared in the caption of the photo she uploaded on Instagram, showing a framed photo of her and Cherie which has garlands of sampaguita on the latter’s side.
“It has been proudly displayed in our living room since I got home that night with her inaanak Frankie, and Miel and Miguel,” she continued. “Didn’t care what people would say. Now, all I can do is, like Dorina, put fresh strands of Sampaguita on her (our) picture every day.”
The duo shared countless moments, experiences, and emotions through the years.
“I am ninang to her eldest, Jay. And she named her only daughter Bianca after my character in our movie Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas. I was the first one she and Rony called about their wedding, and the only non-family member invited to it. KC and I were the only ones present when her youngest son Rafael had his Bris (a Jewish ceremony as Rony is Jewish). KC and I flew from Boston to New York where she lived to attend it and flew back right after,” Sharon recalled, as she looked back, as well, how she was informed about Cherie’s illness. “I found out she was sick from her brother Mike on the day I was welcomed by the whole FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano cast and staff on ASAP on November 9, 2021. Backstage, when Mike whispered to me that Cherie wanted me to know, I couldn’t help hitting him on the shoulder and crying. Then I came out to the audience, as usual, like nothing was wrong.”
It can be recalled that after Cherie’s demise, Sharon penned a touching open letter to her “true screen partner”.
“I cannot process it. It seems so unfair. It will never be the same without you. I will never be the same without you. I told you that you had to fight because you couldn’t leave me and that you were my partner, that there is no one like you. You said yes. But God took you home, took all your pain away,” she wrote.
“I will never get to feed you ice chips again. Or share most everything else with you…I thank God I was with your dada, mom, R, and all your kids to ‘see you off’, but I am not happy. My heart is in pieces again and now I dunno how to put it back together anymore because among the many loved ones I have lost these past few years, you were and always will be one of my most loved…What will I do without you now, Love? My true screen partner, a true friend, ninang of Simone. I miss you so terribly and know it will only get worse,” she continued.
Sharon ended her post telling Cherie, “Be at peace in God’s loving arms, my Cheech. I’ll see you again someday. I will love you with all my heart, forever.”
For life stories that make the world stop and make the world go, visit Traffic Digest‘s Stories Section.