Reaching for their star

Dagupan – They believe the best way to predict the future is to create it. That’s precisely why 264 young hopefuls tropped to this city for the chance to be chosen as candidates in the fourth edition of GMA 7’s reality artista search, StarStruck The Next Level.

The two-day event, which started Saturday morning of Oct. 7, made CSI Mall’s activity area jampacked with young contestants from this city and different provinces in the North like Pangasinan, Mt. Province, La Union, Benguet, Baguio, Ilocos Sur, Nueva Ecija and Aurora. They did not mind the long hours they traveled to try their luck to follow in the footsteps of Ryza Cenon and Jackie Rice who are winners from the North – Nueva Ecija and Olongapo, respectively.

Most of the contestants are mestizos and mestizas – of Filipino, Spanish, Chinese and Arabian descent. Some have what it takes to be a star, like a former campus king and queen. Another was a Camille Prats look-alike. They all showed their skills in dancing, singing, acting, playing musical instruments and even martial arts.

While some contestants joined the search mainly to flaunt their talent, others gathered all their guts and determination to put poverty behind. One contestant, for instance, just borrowed his attire from an older brother and performed on stage as best as he could without minding the audience laughing at him. Another traveled for 11 hours just to get to the venue.

Still another hopeful has joined every search there is for a chance to help his family financially.

Not about to give up are those contestants who adhere to the notion that when one keeps on trying, one will eventually succeed. They are the ones who targeted stardom thrice in a row.

Present at the event to give inspiring messages were StarStruck batch two winner Ryza Cenon and StarStruck Nationwide Invasion winner Gian Carlos. The two were also there to give updates to Startalk televiewers on what’s going on in the auditions and joined the contestants on stage to ease their nervousness.

Ryza still remembers to this day how she felt when she auditioned for StarStruck. Her aunt accompanied Ryza to GMA all the way from Nueva Ecija. Ryza’s mom died when she was three while her dad is in Abu Dhabi with his new family.

"I’m so nervous yet I still showed my talent as it is really my dream to be a star. Imagine you are being watched by lots of people doing your stuff on stage," Ryza says.

She advises aspiring stars to have the confidence and the passion for acting since showbiz involves many adjustments physically, socially and mentally.

The 18-year-old Ryza, an undergraduate junior computer programming student of AMA, finds acting a difficult but fulfilling job.

"I’m insomniac now due to different sleeping patterns but that’s okay as I’m lucky to have a nice paying job at my age," she relates.

Ryza can now afford to rent a place of her own in Quezon City and is able to give an allowance to her brother who is staying with their grandma in Nueva Ecija.

Ryza also learned how to handle intrigues. If not for her inner strength, Ryza cannot afford to stay long in the biz. Now she enjoys being in the cast of GMA 7’s Fantastic Kids, co-hosting on S.O.P. Gigsters and being a regular on QTV 11’s Ay! Robot.

If her schedule permits, Ryza wanted to finish school as she says, "No one could ever take knowledge away from you."

Gian Carlos, on the other hand, is happy that a fourth edition of the artista search has been launched.

"That only means that we, past StarStruck winners, can step to the next level of acting. We will be mature and eventually get to play more serious roles," he says.

He advises contestants to be natural. He relates that when he auditioned for the search he came in simple attire and just acted naturally.

"Contestants do not have to do extraordinary stuff to be chosen. They just need to act well. They get eventually noticed if they have what it takes to be a star," he says.

The 17-year-old Gian also reminds StarStruck hopefuls not to let their heads get too big for their hats and listen to pieces of advice.

Ryza and Gian are one in saying that one should never lose hope if he is not chosen in the search. There might be something better to come.

StarStruck The Next Level will be hosted by Dingdong Dantes, Jolina Magdangal and Raymond Gutierrez when it airs in November.

Applicants must submit along with the fully-accomplished application form, a photocopy and certified true copy of birth certificate, one close-up and full-body photos and audition piece. It is open to those 16 to 21 years old.

Winners will receive P1-M and a management contract worth P2-M. Aside from a pair of Ultimate Survivors, an Ultimate Hunk and Ultimate Sweetheart will also be chosen.

Other regional audition schedules simultaneous with GMA Network try-outs are set tomorrow, and Oct. 15, LCC Mall Legazpi; Oct. 21 and 22, SM Clark; Oct. 28 and 29, SM Bacoor and Nov. 4 and 5, SM Lipa.