MANILA, Philippines - It was a shining moment for six- year-old Akira Vane Sapla when she was named SM’s Little Star at the grand finals at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.
Akira, who represents SM City Manila, loves playing with Barbie dolls, collecting toys and reading. “I joined the SM Little Star contest to gain self confidence and to develop my talents,” says Akira, who performed a declamation piece Dakilang Extra during the event’s talent portion. And from the looks of it, she’s on the road to fulfilling her ambition to be a dramatic actress one day, just like her idol, Judy Ann Santos.
Akira brought home P100,000 in prize money, as well as birthday packages from the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, scholarships from the SM Bowling Center and the Center for Pop Children, a day of unlimited skating at the SM Ice Skating Rink, as well as gift certificates from Toy Kingdom and Storyland.
Judges including Aiza Marquez, Genesis talent manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano and singer-songwriter Top Suzara had a hard time choosing from the finalists.
The annual pageant is sponsored by Star Cinema, Cherifer, Johnson’s Pure Essentials, SM Department Store, Ped Zinc Plus, Center for Pop, Lil’ Bobson, Bella Belle Petit, Beverly Hills Polo Club, Freego, F’g DNM, the Nido Fortified Science Discovery Center, SM Storyland, SM Bowling Center and SM Ice Skating Rink.