The time had come for the newest batch of ABS-CBN discoveries to walk the ramp like beauty contestants and prove their worth in the months to come as members of Star Magic Circle 2013.
From an idea broached by former ABS-CBN president Freddie Garcia and Johnny Manahan, now ABS-CBN SVP and manager for Star Magic, the germ of a company of actors forming the core of ABS-CBN was born, went through many other names until it settled on Star Magic Circle.
Recently, this latest batch of 12, from ages 14 to 18, was introduced to media. They came from modeling, teleserye auditions, talent managers and showbiz families referred to as showbiz royalty. As newbies, most go through an introductory phase starting with Maalaala Mo Kaya, the channel’s longest-running drama anthology in the Philippines and Asia, hosted by Charo Santos-Concio since 1991. From this time onward, it all depends on the actor’s attitude, inborn talent, parental cooperation and luck if he and she will make it.
Seventeen-year-old Daniel Padilla is a case in point. Son of Rommel Padilla (brother of Robin) and Karla Estrada, he was introduced in Growing Up, then the primetime drama Princess and I, but judging from the number of fans, requests for photos and growing commercial endorsements, there is no question that the boy is ABS’ and Star Magic’s Next Big Thing.
A plus is Daniel’s ability to sing and already the sing and dance aspect in his career is secured. His handlers will only have to be careful that Daniel’s youth doesn’t work against him, that he doesn’t feel strangled by all this unwanted attention. Success early in life can be a burden, so that as much as we are happy for Daniel, we are also sad that it will steal away much of the youth that he may never experience.
Hopefully, the members of Star Magic Circle 2013 are more of the normal batch like another 17-year-old Alex Diaz, a Scottish-Filipino living in Canada who recalls waiting in line at a Pinoy Big Brother audition; Ingrid de la Paz, 18, whom Charo discovered ushering at the Gawad Eugenio Lopez and has been given her first episode in MMK; Jon Lucas, 17, who recalls being the 129th on the pila for Star Magic Batch 2013 public audition; and Kit Thompson, 16, former PBB housemate Fil-New Zealander, who appeared in some small roles, and whose 6’1†height will be advantageous.
We have always maintained that the villain in a play, serye, or film is always the better role. It was, therefore, 15-year-old Michelle Vito’s lucky day to have been chosen as the villainess who made life unbearable for Ella Cruz in the title role of Aryana, the mermaid.
There are also those who have been lucky to be cast in series which has lasted so long and contributed to their visibility. These are Jerome Ponce, 17, who plays Sir Chief’s son in Be Careful with my Heart, and likewise Janella Salvador, 14, who is Nikki, Sir Chief’s daughter in the same teleserye. There are others like Khalil Ramos, 16, who won runner-up in Pilipinas Got Talent and landed a role in Princess and I; Liza Soberano, 15, who is the other love interest of Daniel in Must Be…Love; and Jane Oineza,16, who was trained well as a Goin’ Bulilit Kid to do any role.
And lastly, there are showbiz royalties — Julian Estrada, 17, son of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who appeared in his dad’s film Katas ng Saudi; and Julia Barretto, 15, daughter of Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla whose break is close at hand.
Today, they are no longer wannabes. They have arrived. Let the games begin!
(E-mail me your comments at bibsymcar@yahoo.com.)