GMA Artist Center talents in top-rating shows

MANILA, Philippines - GMA 7’s winning formula of putting the right talents in the right projects is proven again with the rating success of some of the latest Kapuso programs. Several GMA Artist Center talents are headlining the current crop of widely watched TV series such as Ilumina, Koreana, Trudis Liit, and Beauty Queen.

Kris Bernal is happy being labeled as “Koreana,” with the series getting good viewers’ response. She stars in the new soap with StarStruck alumni Rocco Nacino and Steven Silva.

Young achievers likewise belong in the GMAAC stable, starring in some top-raters while they’re barely into their teenage years. This list, GMA Tweens as they are called, is long and amazingly talented: Joshua Dionisio, Barbie Forteza, Jake Vargas, Bea Binene, Derrick Monasterio, Louise Delos Reyes and Lexi Fernandez.

Iza Calzado, one of GMAAC’s brightest stars, fronts up Beauty Queen with two of her GMAAC mates in Marvin Agustin and Victor Aliwalas. Mike Tan, on the other hand, hits it big being the complex Migs Ocampo in the just-concluded Trudis Liit.            

Televiewers are no doubt enthralled by GMA 7’s fantasy series Ilumina which is now lording over other Kapuso shows and leads the rating game in its block.  The witchcraft-and-sorcery drama which premiered last August is now the viewers’ most favorite, with the GMAAC talents in the cast celebrating the major feat as they deserve so, being strong attractions for the program.

The Ilumina cast can only beam with pride that the series is a consistent top-rater. Those under GMAAC, namely, Rhian Ramos, Aljur Abrenica, Jackie Rice, Bea, Sef Cadayona and Lexi are all in jubilant mood upon learning that Ilumina is lighting up the primetime audience.

Sef couldn’t contain his gladness being part of such a highly achieving fantaserye. “I feel so blessed being part of Ilumina. Comic ang character ko dito kaya mas lalo pang nakakatuwa kasi natural lang sa akin ang comedy,” he said in a recent interview. He plays Renato, bestfriend of Iñigo Salcedo as portrayed by lead male star Aljur.

Ilumina tackles the war between Black and White sorcerers. At the center of it all is Rhian as Romana Sebastian who is the keeper of Ilumina (also called Aklat ng Salamangka) wherein all secrets kept by the strongest sorcerer Elizaria (Sam Pinto) are contained. Jackie plays villain Krisanta who is Romana’s sister and competitor over Iñigo’s heart.

Both Bea and Lexi appear on the series as mortals, as opposed to the black and white sorcerers filling up the world in Ilumina.

The cast also includes Cesar Montano, Ara Mina, Christopher de Leon, Jean Garcia, Pen Medina, Rochelle Pangilinan, Paulo Avelino and Jen Rosendahl.

The theme song Tadhana is performed by Up Dharma Down.