“She must be getting poor! Kawawa naman (Pity her),” says one netizen, who obviously is not aware that selling properties is not “equal” to experiencing poverty.
For ages, buying and selling a property is part of the economy. Majority of the world’s population have experienced this once in their life, whether they are buying a piece of land for investment, making a downpayment for a condo unit as a first home, or purchasing an apartment as a place to nurture a family.
Or they have experienced it the other way around—selling land to have funds to expand a business, selling a unit because it is already too small for present needs, or selling a house because its value has already tripled and you want to cash in.
For (smart and practical) celebrities, it is not surprising that they have invested their hard-earned income from movies or TV shows to worthy investments. I have heard a lot of stories of celebrities who have purchased tracks of land in provinces, or those who have multiple condos for rent, or those who are into “flipping” (buying an old house or property, renovating it, and selling for a huge profit). So it was not surprising to hear a celebrity such as Megastar Sharon Cuneta openly admitting on her newest YouTube channel, The Sharon Cuneta Network, that she is selling some properties.
‘I love real estate because that’s what I learned from my dad and it has helped me get through tough times.’
“I talk about real estate because it’s really where I put most of my earnings,” Sharon reveals, adding this financial advice. “Do not invest in things you do not understand.”
Sharon’s online channel, which debuted a few weeks ago, follows the trend of celebrities going into the online sphere. With the videos she has premiered, a candid (and frank) Sharon promises to talk about any topic under the sun, especially about lifestyle, parenting, home, and of course, showbiz. So in a segment titled “Trip Down Memory Lane,” she shares how the pandemic has affected her and her livelihood.
“Wala akong trabaho ng walong buwan na (I don’t have any work for eight months now),” she says. Aside from losing two concert tours, one with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, and one in Australia where she is the headline act, the shooting for a movie she is starring in also got shelved because of the Covid pandemic. She also reveals that she was supposed to do five corporate shows, which were all cancelled.
Amid this downturn, Sharon relied on real estate to keep funds revolving.
“I love real estate because that’s what I learned from my dad and it has helped me get through tough times,” she says. “Sa awa ng Diyos (With God’s mercy), I was able to sell real estate just before last year ended and that’s why I’m okay and it helps a lot. I’m also (continuously) selling properties now.”
The Sharon Cuneta Network, which currently has 120,000 subscribers, still has a long way to go before reaching the millions of subscribers of celebrities such as Alex Gonzaga or Jinkee Pacquiao. But with her fan base and friendly vibe, it is not surprising that it would hit a million mark in the coming weeks. This vibe is also reflected on the set of the online show, which Sharon says is a “modern farmhouse-styled unit” with “rustic charm.”
“As you can see, it’s really my colors, it’s so girly,” Sharon says, pointing out the pink door and a design palette she describes as “Easter” colors.
What’s also admirable in Sharon’s show is that it is not only “frivolous” as she is not only sharing personal stories, but also dispensing timely advice, which we can all learn from.
“In good times, especially during bad times, a real estate investment can truly help,” says Angie Mercado, a real estate broker. “Though it is not as soluble as cash, it is wise to have it to augment any losses that you may experience in a pandemic. The price, however, may not be favorable to you during an economic recession, but there would be more bargain hunters and you would easily find a suitable buyer. Land is still land and it doesn’t depreciate as much as a vehicle, jewelry, or any luxury item.”
Angie appreciates that Sharon was frank enough to reveal that she was also experiencing the pinch of the pandemic, with loss of income opportunities and projects.
There is no shame, Angie says, of selling properties during hard times. “An asset only becomes useful once it can be ‘used’ during times when you need it most. And Sharon proves that one should be practical and prudent with money—that if you have excess cash, you don’t have to spend it all on vacations, shopping, or dining. You can instead look into real estate.”