New Kapuso pairings to brighten up the small screen

Loveteams are part and parcel of the local entertainment landscape. They represent young love, promising careers, and even the future of show business. After all, these stars will graduate from playing saccharine roles to meaty ones.

GMA, through its talent management Sparkle, carries on the tradition of presenting new romantic tandems and to some extent sets its foothold in the hereafter.

These talents are known as Sparkle Sweethearts. They are Althea Ablan and Bruce Roeland, Zonia Mejia and Jamir Zabarte, and Shayne Sava and Abdul Raman. The other loveteams that also belong to this category are Kyline Alcantara and Mavy Legaspi, and Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay.

For now, let these team-ups play and find their ground. With Lady Luck on their side, they are the names that will bring kilig on and brighten up the small screen.

“It’s my first time to have a partner (onscreen),” said Althea, who was Donna Belle and Ella in the drama, Prima Donnas, when The Philippine STAR had a virtual quick chat with the loveteam mates of Sparkle Sweethearts, except for Sofia and Allen, who needed to excuse themselves for a prior commitment. “So, there’s pressure,” added she. “As a young actor, nag-love team na, nag-le-level up na kami. We’re helping each other. We’re attending workshops to improve (our skills) and learn new things.”

From these workshops, Bruce, Althea’s co-star in Prima Donnas season two, shared, “We’re learning about our chemistry and (working) relationship. Siyempre, we expect this to be an exciting journey, for you to watch us build our chemistry even more. We’re very happy for this opportunity.”

Being launched as part of Sparkle Sweethearts is a chance one can’t pass up. New stars are also wishing to be in their shoes.

“We feel blessed to be included in it,” said Zonia, who acted in Heartful Café with loveteam mate Jamir. “We are looking forward that our careers will grow more (as well as) our partnership. We’ll learn more from each other, mas (gumanda) at matuto kami sa craft namin. We can do more projects together, and maka-inspire kami at maka-touch kami ng maraming tao.”

As for him, Jamir also looks forward to the ample time to “mas makilala niya ‘ko, mas makilala ko siya (to get to know more about each other),” added he. “When we get more comfortable with each other, (I think) working will be easy. We’ll do everything to make our loveteam work.” That’s the challenge of pursuing a career with a partner. They have to think and act as one.

“I’m more excited for us to grow together and improve for the better, I’m excited about where our journey will be going,” shared Shayne about her and Abdul’s latest showbiz career direction. To StarStruck fans, she is the Ultimate Female Survivor, while he is the Avenger. “Of course, I want this to be successful. I would always tell him na galingan namin lalo para mas lalo kaming mag-improve, para mas lalo kaming maka-inspire ng maraming tao, ng mga kabataan and even adults.”

“For me, it’s the next big step and the next big challenge for us, our careers and our lives,” said Abdul, who, along with Shayne, starred in the cultural teleserye Legal Wives. “What we should do is take it seriously. We’re gonna double down on what we need to do para ma-achieve yung gusto namin. We’re gonna do whatever it takes. Over-all, as much as possible, we should not get pressured. We will enjoy our journey together and we’re very excited about what’s in the future for us.”

Speaking of these loveteams’ future projects, their ideas are diverse and show their individual and group uniqueness.

Abdul would like to see himself taking on the role of Dao Ming Si in the Filipino adaptation of Meteor Garden with Shayne as Shancai. “When I was a child, I watched it with my mom. Parang gusto ko talagang ma-recreate yun. I think that would be cute.”

For her part, Shayne agreed with him but wanted to do “action and fantasy… it’s my favorite to watch fantasy stories like the Encantadia type. Since GMA is very good at it, it’s one of my dream roles (and projects that I want to do) with Abdul.”

Fans will get to see them first in the upcoming series, Raising Mamay, in which Shayne and Abdul portray their first-ever leading roles.

As for Zonia and Jamir, whose onscreen chemistry was first witnessed in Heartful Café, they still want to explore the rom-com. “We miss it and find it memorable,” said he. “Gusto naming ituloy yung storya ni Buddy and Sol (our characters in the series) sa ibang storyline.” According to their team, the “enemies-to-lovers” story arc of Buddy and Sol is a hit among fans.

Since Zonia can also sing, she wishes to play a mermaid in a teleserye. “Singing is my first love and acting (is my other love) and I want to put them together,” added she.

“We’re very open and ready for all the roles that would be given to us,” said Althea, who, like Bruce, wants to get challenged every time. “Para dun po kami mas matututo (We learn through it). We want to be versatile.”

“We want to try romantic drama,” shared Bruce.

All this is possible since the Sparkle Sweethearts are on the same page to make things work and make things happen. Members of every tandem are thankful to have each other.

“It’s our long-time dream,” said Althea to Bruce. “Ayan natupad na natin (It has finally come true). We’re so very blessed and happy.”

“I’ve wished this for years,” added he. “I’m so excited for this. I want to say that I’m always here for you.”

Aside from being each other’s supporter, Zonia shared to Jamir, who appreciates the trust and confidence she has given him. “Just trust the process and the journey kasi marami pa tayong tatahakin.”

Aside from being there for him, Shayne will be the voice of encouragement to Abdul, who recognizes her openness to him.

Again, let these Sparkle Sweethearts play their part and grow right before our eyes.