The Sharon-inspired "balutin mo ako" buffet meme has gone meta!
On March 18, 2024, Sharon Cuneta attended the birthday bash of her maternal cousin Gian Sotto, who turned 45 this year.
Amid the festivities, Sharon grabbed attention with an act that's long been linked to her name.
SHARON PERSONIFIES HER NAMESAKE MEME
In a video posted by Gian's younger sister, Ciara Sotto, Sharon was captured with a white food tray on one hand, and deftly picking out items from the buffet spread with the other.
Laughter echoed in the background as observers noted how the Megastar was living up to her eponymous meme.
Ciara wrote it herself in the caption: "P.S. Si Sharon, Shuma-Sharon [laughing with tears emojis]"
They even had a banter going on in the video, with Ciara saying, "Siya na nagbalot, guys. Shina-Sharon niya yung handa," and Sharon quipping, "Ako na ito, basta nagpaalam ako."
Read: Sharon Cuneta shares utang management tips and how she got her first PHP1 million
MEME ORIGINS
Over the years, Sharon's name has become a Filipino pop culture phenomenon synonymous to the act of "balot," or taking leftover food home from a social gathering or a party.
This association originates from a memorable line in her song Bituing Walang Ningning: "Balutin mo ako..."
In the context of the meme, someone who does the "balots" or does not leave a party emptyhanded is referred to as "mag-Sharon (Sharon-ing)" or a "Sharonian" or simply "Sharon."
To add more impact, people sing along to the tune of the iconic line while packing their food to-go, just like what Sharon did.
NETIZENS REACT
Netizens, along with celebrities Camille Prats-Yambao and Ryan Agoncillo, all shared in the lighthearted moment by reacting under Ciara's post.
Some recounted their own "Sharon" anecdotes, especially those living abroad, where the term has become a playful nod to Filipino party customs.
One of the comments read: "Haha, it's so funny kasi here in the US, when I first heard it, ‘Mag-Sharon na tayo,’ I didn't know what was going on, nasa party ako.
"Yun pala yun, magbalot na daw ng mga leftovers. Haha, di ko talaga alam noong una."
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