Dreaming, believing surviving from island to island

Familiarity breeds contempt. Well, not all the time as familiarity led to friendship among the finalists of StarStruck The Next Level. After three months of surviving the challenges and overcoming nervousness, timidity and weaknesses together to prove their worth to become the next young stars, finalists Mart Escudero, Prince Stefan, Aljur Abrenica, Kris Bernal, Rich Asuncion and Jewel Mische have become closer and comfortable with one another.

"We became close since Final 14 days as we attended all the activities together — either in acting workshops or the challenges given to us," Prince says.

"Taking a bath with Jewel and Kris is fun unlike before when we felt shy and conscious," Rich adds.

At night, the three female survivors even stayed in one room with Kris and Rich sleeping on the same bed the way they did when the Final 6 went island hopping in Davao, Cebu and Iloilo recently for an all-out campaign to earn votes from Ilonggo and Bisaya supporters.

The finalists are too at ease with each other that when direk Rommel Gacho asked the boys to open the girls’ luggage and vice versa, they couldn’t help but laugh at things they discovered from the bags.

None of them considered the "opening act" foul as they had fun doing it.

Prince, however, never denies the fact that misunderstandings sometimes arise. "We cannot help it because we’re in a competition. Like in a family, may tampuhan at pikunan din."

The pikunan happened between Aljur and Mart when a radio DJ in Davao asked Aljur if he would still pursue Kris even after the competition as his place (Pampanga) is too far from Kris’ (Quezon City). Aljur said yes. But Mart butted in saying he would be the one to continue pursuing Kris as his place (Mandaluyong) is closer. As a young man in love, Aljur didn’t think that was funny. But they patched things up before something serious happened.

All’s well that ends well and Mart is always quick to say sorry every time he annoys somebody. The nephew of senatoriable Chiz Escudero is a natural comedian and takes things lightly.

"But I’m serious at what I’m in right now," Mart says. "Flaunting my skills is one tough task, especially now that they are all talented."

Having appeared on TV shows before, Mart still muddles through with the challenges given them and knows text votes greatly count in the reality artista search.

That’s why the Final 6 found time touring Davao, Cebu and Iloilo to gain support from fans. The survivors worked as a team. They clowned around and never tried to outdo one another when performing in mall shows. The motorcades were likewise memorable as the provincial residents made the afternoon much warmer when they welcomed them excitedly.

Never-ending applause from the crowd and eardrum-tearing shrieks from fans banished the stress from the group’s all-day activities.

The Final 6 delighted the crowd with song and dance numbers. They swayed to the beat of Itaktak Mo, Mosquito and Fergalicious and crooned Beyoncé’s Irreplaceable. The group also participated in various games, getting participants from the crowd that made Ilonggos and Bisayas happier.

Jewel, Kris, Rich, Prince, Mart and Aljur thanked them profusely and asked fans to support not just one of them but all of them if possible.

Though they are in a competition, the gesture only showed that each finalist supports one another.

As final judgment nears, all finalists are clueless as to who among them will clinch the Ultimate Hunk, Ultimate Sweetheart and Ultimate Loveteam titles.

"This only I can assure you, if ever I win, I will donate part of my prize to the PGH pediatric ward where I was confined due to typhoid fever when I was younger," Mart says. He is only showing how grateful he is to the hospital and its staff for saving his life when it took a 50-50 turn.

Besides his ability, Mart’s kind heart made him stay until this day and the female survivors even consider him the rightful Ultimate Hunk title holder come finals night.

"Mart is not only talented but has a good physique," Kris says. Jewel agrees that Mart is the most likely one to clinch the Ultimate Hunk title.

Meanwhile, Rich favors Kris as the Ultimate Sweetheart while Aljur goes for Jewel.

This will be the final week, dubbed the Final Plea, for survivors to campaign for votes as the finals happens on March 25, 7 p.m. at the Marikina Sports Park with a delayed telecast at 9:30 p.m. on GMA 7.

Aside from the titles, winners will get P1-M in cash and P2-M exclusive GMA management contract.

With these prizes at stake, it’s great to dream, believe and survive.