Many are called, few are chosen

Life is a challenge and to make one succeed, a process of selection and elimination is necessary. A choice between the worthwhile and the worthless must take place.

GMA 7’s reality artista search StarStruck The Next Level is in the process of selecting deserving young talented people to carve a niche in showbiz.

Out of the 9,443 aspirants who auditioned recently in Metro Manila and regional areas, 92 contestants made it to the initial screening. It proves that even if many are called, only few are chosen and it became fewer as only 80 hopefuls (40 boys and 40 girls) passed the first elimination.

Financial difficulties made the aspirants aim for a better life via a showbiz career. Others exude with talent and personality that leave a favorable impression on the screening committee led by direk Rommel Gaucho.

The committee is composed of the show’s think-tanks and staff. Criteria for judging are talent, personality and audience appeal.

A number of aspirants are in the modeling field like 21-year-old Randolf Stamatelaky who appeared in the Ginebra San Miguel Bilog ang Mundo TV ad and SMART Bonus; 16-year-old Tanya Lilian Gadon, a print ad model for Globe and Coke; and 21-year-old Daniel Bolle, an I-On energy drink and Dermcare endorser.

Some hopefuls have already faced the cameras, like single mom Jemmalene Estrada who appeared in movies like Cool Dudes as James Blanco’s partner, Crying Ladies as Hilda Koronel’s daughter and in Rudy Fernandez’s flick Hula Mo, Huli Ko and Ferdinand Anquilo, former member of the Viva Hot Men. "Showbiz-blooded" aspirant Francoise Marie Bonnin, on the other hand, is the daughter of Bernard Bonnin and half-sister of Charlene Gonzalez.

The screening committee had a hard time choosing the best of the best as they were faced with lots of talented individuals.

From 80 contenders, the number will be trimmed down to 40. This will be winnowed down to the Top 20 from whose ranks will emerge the 14 finalists who will vie for the titles Ultimate Hunk, Ultimate Sweetheart and a pair of Ultimate Survivors.

They will undergo a series of tests and challenges to earn the judges’ nod and the televiewers’ approval.

StarStruck The Next Level airs in December with video clips during the auditions and eliminations in the first few days of telecast. Dingdong Dantes, Jolina Magdangal and Raymond Gutierrez host the show.

StarStruck 4 follows the hit StarStruck 1 which produced young stars likes Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras and some of its Avengers such as Katrina Halili, Cristine Reyes, Dion Ignacio and Sheena Halili; StarStruck 2 The Nationwide Invasion with LJ Reyes, Mike Tan, Ryza Cenon and CJ Muere as grand winners and StarStruck The Ultimate Survivor led Iwa Moto, Gian Carlos, Jackie Rice and Marky Cielo to the limelight.

It has been tagged The Next Level as the search opened its doors to individuals aged 16 to 21. This is a departure from the first three editions, which were limited to 19-years-olds. It also accepted hopefuls with managers.

Winners will receive P1-M cash aside from the P2-M worth of management contract and automatically become GMA Artist Center talents.

With a lot in store for the winners, who wouldn’t dare dream, believe and survive?