Little big stars and other Davao delights

DAVAO – When you’re new to the world and only a wisp of a kid, your yardstick of self-worth usually hinges on what the teachers tell you. The bright ones become honor students, and the best is rewarded a shiny medal that says first honor in big, bold letters.

That’s why ABS-CBN Davao is hyping on the merit system instead of cash prizes and freebies (e.g. gift packs) children who place first, second and third in their version of the Little Big Star talent search get.

So far, the scheme is working in this bustling city, the largest in the world. Cristy Garcia, ABS-CBN Davao head of Entertainment Production and audition master, admits the response to a call for auditions was overwhelming. Boys and girls – parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles in tow – came from as far as Surigao del Sur for the search and the promise to go to Manila should they win.

Garcia recalls the back-breaking auditions: "Three hundred came and 20 were accepted. We auditioned 12 kids a week. They were so many we had to stop accepting applicants as early as 3:30 p.m. (auditions are at 1 to 9 p.m.)."

Children of all shapes and sizes come armed with an a cappella number and that one big dream of seeing the big city and getting a crack at the P1-M cash prize that awaits them should they emerge Little Big Star grand champion.

Interestingly enough, some songs turn out as audition favorites. Judges get to hear high-pitched voices crooning Forever’s Not Enough, To Love You More, Isang Lahi, How Could You Say You Love Me and Dakilang Lahi over and over again. Those who show promise but need more practice get check marks while the ones with the makings of a star merit what else – a star in the judges’ score sheets.

Those with stars next to their names are then scheduled for a televised showdown hosted by Iligan-born Nikki Bacolod. Visayan-speaking Nikki is introduced simply as Ate Nikki in the show – the better to make the young challengers – the oldest of whom is only 13 and the 16-year-old host’s junior.

The winners’ laughter and the non-winners’ tears after the show make one’s heart rejoice and bleed at the same time. I approached Christine Angelica Evangelista, nine, crying on her father Angelino’s shoulder. The girl is a veteran winner – in the 2004 Jollibee singing contest and Math tilts in school. Falling short of first honor is new, and scary to her.

So we take turns comforting her, "That doesn’t mean you’re no good. You’re great! Why, you can always join again."

Not bringing home the bacon may be a bitter pill to swallow for Christine – and other non-winners. But such is life. And we cross our fingers the show will teach these young innocents not to despair but move on after the battle is over. Much better, we pray that they emerge stronger persons because of it.

Sheryn Regis, herself a product of kiddie singing tilts and host of the initial Little Big Star show in Cebu, knows how it feels. She knows only too well how the prospect of standing on stage with the microphone can send chills down a girl’s spine. She herself used to hide her shoes from her mother in an attempt to foil her plan of bringing the then five-year-old Sheryn to the contest venue.

Today, Sheryn has no regrets.

"Search for Star in a Million (where she emerged one of the top winners) gave me self-confidence. I used to be so insecure. The singing contest taught me how to deal with all kinds of people," she reasons out.

Sheryn takes one look at the young hopefuls around her and delivers her version of the "Be not afraid" motto: "You can do it. Look at your Ate Sheryn. I was once like you are now. Remember, win or lose, you’re stars in your own right."

She will even encourage her two-year-old daughter to join Little Big Star.

"She wants to sing," the proud mom reveals.

If and when, her little girl will have the added advantage of enjoying the experience sans pinches on her body and the threatening words her mom received as a singing tilt newbie.

Little Big Star may be gathering lots of attention in this city of durian and mouth-watering seafoods.

But so is ABS-CBN Davao’s flagship show the local TV Patrol Mindanao, anchored by the bemedaled Stephen Manangan and lawyer Melissa Suarez.

Manangan has become some sort of folk hero, with an integrity and credibility that has become a household name among union members of the Ateneo de Davao faculty. He has used the power of the airwaves to fight for the rights of banana plantation workers and victims of labor abuse. Dedicated to the preservation of the environment, Manangan is unfazed by threats and other forms of harassment on the job.

Suarez, on the other hand, placed eighth at the bar exams and has been a faculty member of the Ateneo de Davao College of Law since 2004. She has released a book called Evidence, with another one due this month.

Now back to the light side. Dinhing Dapita Sadya or D.D.S. is not about Davao’s notorious Death Squad, a dreaded shadow vigilante group. Rather, it’s a feel-good Sunday morning (11 to 11:30 a.m.) show on ABS-CBN. The weekly dose of fun includes tips on fashion, makeup and cooking. Singer-standup comedian Onie Alfaro addresses problems of local residents and gives them a comic twist. A joke portion (D.D.S. Dabaw Dyoks Squad) gives out prizes for those who can make the four-man squad of Bambam, Ruben, Amoy and Boyet laugh till they drop.

Go ahead, have your durian and eat it, too. That’s what this city with a well-loved mayor (Rodrigo Duterte) and several surprises offer in megadoses. I don’t mind going back again and again.