MANILA — Amid the apparent rift between Sharon Cuneta and her daughter KC Concepcion, the music veteran on Monday hinted that their conflict has a deeper source than what’s known to their followers.

The strain in their relationship first went public in January, when Concepcion missed Cuneta’s televised birthday celebration on “ASAP Natin ‘To,” prompting an exchange of open letters on social media.

But that’s not the whole story, at least according to Cuneta.

On Instagram, Cuneta responded to comments branding her as a “toxic mom,” over Instagram posts which her followers alleged were meant to indirectly paint Concepcion in a negative light.

One such post was Cuneta’s photo with actress Angel Locsin, whom she credited for being respectful. She also expressed appreciation to “The General’s Daughter” star for her kindness and warmth.

“Puro ka parinig sa panganay mo,” one follower commented.

Cuneta replied: “Nagpapasalamat ako sa isang taong gumawa ng mabuti sa akin, patama agad? Ang tinatamaan guilty kahit hindi siya ang iniisip. Konting lawa ng pag-iisip naman.”

Indicating that she has yet to mend her ties with Concepcion, Cuneta added, “Wala kayong alam sa mga nangyayari. Ano ito, tampong ‘di matapos? Baka kaya mas malalim? Huwag na kasi makialam.”

Cuneta’s exchange with her followers went as far as her supposed shortcomings as a single mother to Concepcion. Concepcion is Cuneta’s lone child with her former husband, actor Gabby Concepcion.

One detractor told Cuneta she “shouldn’t be surprised” by her current standing with Concepcion, given that the latter was mostly raised by her late maternal grandmother.

“I worked to put food on our table because no one was helping me,” Cuneta said. “My mom and dad helped raise her because I had to work. Parang mga OFW — kahit ayaw lumayo sa anak, nagtatrabaho.”

“Nasaan siya ngayon [kung hindi] ako nagtrabaho? And I didn’t depend on my dad and mom except to take care of her while I was breaking my back and having no sleep to prepare for her future,” Cuneta said.

When a fan lamented how Cuneta has made public her tiff with Concepcion — instead of resolving their issue privately — the singer brought up her daughter’s earlier Instagram apology for missing her birthday celebration.

“Kaya nga ako nag-post kasi sinagot ko lang ang post niya. She hasn’t texted either. And believe me — you have no idea what’s going on so huwag magmarunong,” she wrote.

That same follower advised Cuneta not to embarrass Concepcion with her posts about their cold ties, however indirectly. Her answer: “Mas lalong ‘di dapat binibigyan ng kahihiyan ng anak ang magulang.”