One blink and it's new year: Welcome our 12 for 2012

We can see it coming; we’re just letting you know so you’re ready for their take-off. The year 2011 is on its last few hours and by midnight, it’s hello 2012 for all of us!

2012 is a year of dynamic and dramatic change, so expect even more action this coming year. Before January 2012 says “bye,” it’s enter the Year of the Dragon, the mythical and magical sign of the Eastern zodiac. So you thought 2011 went by so fast? 2012 will even be faster, so we better be ready for it. 

Part of being ready is knowing who we have to be ready for  or else we won’t know what hit us. “’Cos ready or not, here they come,” as the song goes. From stars in the small and big screen to pop culture movers, real estate mavens, or simply people who rock  we chose 12 people to watch out for in 2012. 

Their names are already up there in terms of being “out there,” but I foresee stratospheric leaps in terms of how they’ll be affecting pop culture as we see it, from building new playgrounds to telling you what products you’ll be using in the shower. Time for change; meet the new headliners.

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Do you have your own suggestions for who’ll make it big this year? Follow me and tweet your choices to me at twitter.com/officialTIMYAP.

Sarah Lahbati

Sarah was the grand winner in the GMA artists reality search StarStruck a few years ago, but it was in 2011 when she was given the chance to top bill her own soap, Kokak, which was a hit in the afternoon soap category. Every Sunday, she sings with the country’s top pop artists in Party Pilipinas. This Filipina-French-Moroccan beauty has a natural allure and her own style that is not seen in others who pretty much all look alike. This girl is different and she knows it.

Jasmine Curtis-Smith

We are proud to say that her first editorial was done here at Supreme. This was with her Ate Anne Curtis, pre-Twitter era. Now anything Anne touches turns into gold. This includes her love and support for her sister, so even though Jasmine shuttles to and from Australia and the Philippines, she makes every moment count. Shooting TVCs and telenovelas, attending the right events and doing promo tours for her upcoming shows, Jasmine is on the right track. And what’s this we hear about her starring in a new TV5 show opposite David Archuleta? We have yet to confirm the news, but if it is true, then 2012 can very well be Jasmine’s turning point year.

Jason de Jong

Jason de Jong made heads turn as an Azkal and although he is not as flashy and high profile as the rest of his teammates, he is not less skilled. His intensity on the field is undeniable and his charm with the ladies, even more so. But what makes us give this Fil-Dutch boy the royal salute is his dedication to train for both the national team and the juniors. A dedicated man to his country with good boy looks and bad boy tattoos, an outstanding athlete, and all-around nice guy  what more could you ask for?

Kevin Tan

He has proven his mettle in making cities out of vast lands, from Eastwood to Mckinley Hills to Newport City, and he has helped shape communities that have everything from clubs to casinos to restaurant complexes. His 2012 agenda is even more ambitious and aggressive. He has recreated his versions of Venice in the city and Vegas by the airport, so what’s next? Ibiza. We can only expect bigger, better and brighter things from this young visionary.

Paulo Avelino

You think having a child out of wedlock is a hindrance to one’s career? Think again. This is 2012. Values are different, times have changed and when the right marketing values are placed in a product, voila! You have an instant hit. Not to mention that Paulo has paid his dues and is not afraid to be different and take risks in his career. His was not handed on a silver platter, but he is hell bent on making it turn into gold. I’m betting on him this year.

Alden Richards

He has the face, the height, the dimples and most importantly, he can act. All the right ingredients plus all the right breaks, Alden is “it,” as evidenced in his breakthrough performance in GMA Films’ The Road and the year-end blockbuster Panday 2. He is seen on TV from Party Pilipinas to Tween Hearts to telenovelas coming your way this 2012. With the way things are going, he could be the next John Lloyd, you know.

Julie Anne San Jose

Don’t know who she is? Check out YouTube right now and you’ll see that millions of viewers do. In fact her Superbass cover has one of the highest clicks, not to mention her onstage chemistry with hottie Elmo Magalona. Performance-wise, I dare say that Julie Anne is the most talented singer this side of television. Given the right breaks  a movie and an album is in the works  she can reach megastar levels of stardom. GMA, your move.

Manuela

Ask any editor, photographer, and stylist who are they currently in love with and they’ll answer “Manuela.” And no, we’re not talking about the mall. This new chameleon is fashion’s new muse, so expect her to grace the glossies the same way Kate Moss did decades ago. Now, whether she’ll be able to sustain the magic is another ballgame altogether. She must have plenty of tricks up her sleeve, be made of sturdier stuff and have the ability to evolve into much, much more. Manuela, we think you have it, so prove it.

Enrique Gil

His stint in this year’s hit teleserye Budoy earned him his acting stripes. He even trends on Twitter every now and then because of his portrayal of the guy who always gave Gerald a hard time. He also inked an endorsement with Folded & Hung and I can see several endorsements following suit. With his cross-over appeal that can cater to a broad range of markets  from upper crust to mass market  he’s a shoo-in for brands campaigns for the young and hip. Oh, and he can act, too.

Kermit Tesoro

His collaboration with artist Leeroy New got the nod of no less than Lady Gaga and this year, I was briefed confidentially that another collaboration is in the works to dress up another legendary figure. I have been exposed to the talent that is Kermit, a meek soul who seeks only to create, and I am impressed. With the irrepressible Divine Lee as his Tamara Mellon, expect Kermit Tesoro to zoom up way high this year, one heel-less shoe at a time.

JM de Guzman

Last Wednesday’s Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night had, for the first time, a New Wave Film category. JM won Best New Wave Actor for indie film Pintakasi, a fitting finale for a year where he got public attention as one of the leads in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, opposite Eugene Domingo. He also touched the hearts of the masses in the afternoon soap Angelito. This 2012, expect this former theater actor to take the reins of drama. This is his prime time.

Rappler.com

The former move.ph is now a union of dedicated journalists and scene movers who have bonded together to become Rappler.com. With trusted media maven Maria Ressa as head editor and names like Che Che Lazaro and their ilk under its social media mast head, expect Rappler to lead the social media movement forward. If last year was Twitter year, could 2012 be the Year of the Rappler?