Struckathon: Fans interact with Survivors

The road to success may be long and tedious, but for the remaining survivors, dubbed the Danger 8 of GMA 7’s fourth edition of StarStruck The Next Level, it is a path worth taking.

Various challenges to hurdle, different skills to hone, and many adjustments to make are like obstacles to becoming the next young stars. But the survivors tackle them with determination. Directors Laurice Guillen, Gina Alajar, Khryss Adalia, Maryo J. delos Reyes and Rico Gutierrez have seen their improved acting skills while Douglas Nierras and Geleen Eugenio with son Miggy have discerned that the survivors can sway to the beat gracefully. Indeed, the way to stardom is not all about performing — but also about developing character and personality.

Thanks to Kuya Germs’ (German Moreno) pointers on proper ways of interacting with people which Rich Asuncion of Bohol and Kris Bernal of Quezon City had difficulty with before joining the artista search, the two now have what it takes to deal with people.

"I am basically shy and seldom go to gimiks with my friends back in Bohol," Rich says.

Rich’s younger siblings’ education made her decide to join the artista search. She knows that her bank messenger cum janitor dad and fish vendor mom would have a hard time sustaining their education.

"I will get them educational plans if ever I win so it won’t be a burden anymore for my parents when they need money for my siblings’ schooling," she says.

Rich’s hopes and dreams almost faded away when she was voted out of the competition several weeks ago. But fate has other plans as she was chosen in the wild card to get back in the competition.

Nursing student Kris, on the other hand, is the quiet type who would rather watch her classmates perform during school programs.

"But now I can sway to the beat with ease in front of people. The search is not all competition but a way to develop self esteem," Kris says.

Jewel Mische agrees. The 16-year-old UP Music student from Bulacan has boosted her confidence as she gets to discover that she can also glide to the beat gracefully besides singing.

"I can also mingle with other people well during campaign rounds to get support from text voters," Jewel reveals.

Unlike before when she got the most number of votes to be booted out due to her pasaway attitude, Jewel is now a darling used to the ways of showbiz. She hopes to stay until finals night as there will be another round of eliminations this Sunday.

Two survivors who will get the lowest votes from televiewers (final casting of votes is today until 12 midnight), will bid the talent search goodbye to make way for the Final 6 who will be vying for the titles Ultimate Hunk, Ultimate Sweetheart and Ultimate Loveteam.

But before the elimination, supporters of the Danger 8 (Jewel, Kris, Rich and survivors Stef Prescott of La Union, Mart Escudero of Cavite, Paulo Avelino of Baguio, Prince Stefan of Iloilo and Aljur Abrenica of Pampanga) will get a chance to chat with them tonight via StarStruck’s Struckathon. Fans will get to know if their idols have improved not just in performing but also in interacting with people. The survivors will answer queries from fans via phone calls and Net chats as the show goes live tonight. As early as 8 p.m., fans can talk to their idols by calling 928-7021 locals 4441 to 4444 or via the Net by logging on to www.Starstruck.tv.