The two giant networks had just concluded their respective searches during the past several weeks: GMA 7 with its StarStruck contest and ABS-CBN with Pinoy Big Brother.
These two programs always become major launching pads for some of the biggest stars in Philippine entertainment today. But what does the future hold for the participants of these two competitions in show business? Out of my way, seers and fortune-tellers. I’m handling this one myself and so this is my forecast for the following showbiz upstarts who sought the limelight through StarStruck (with those from Pinoy Big Brother to be dealt with next time):
Enzo Pineda — In two years’ time, he will be a major leading man. Standing at 5’11” and blessed with very good looks (his mother, I only found out after the contest, is the former Macy Macam, a model/cover girl and classmate of Bessie Badilla at St. Scholastica’s College), I am very sure he will make it big in the business. Obviously raised well by his parents, he is the dream talent for production people: Polite, courteous and considerate. Very few newcomers are blessed with those qualities. He may have only ended second in the male division of StarStruck, but he will be the biggest winner in the end.
Sarah Lahbati — Statuesque at 5’10”, she is beauty queen pretty. In fact, she reminds me of Yogi Dominguez, the former Miss International second runner-up, who later had a showbiz stint doing hosting chores for the magazine show Ms. Ellaneous in GMA 7. While it is easy to position her in showbiz, her drawback is her height. Too tall to become a leading lady and may just have to alternate between Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes. With Dingdong, in fact, she may not even be allowed to wear heels. And yes, she may as well forget working with Marvin Agustin.
Steven Silva — I’m sorry to say, but I don’t see a very bright future for this StarStruck top winner in the male category. Even if he perfects his Tagalog overnight, that doesn’t solve all his problems. His eyes are practically slits and he would have difficulty conveying emotions on screen. But wait, there is still a roundabout solution to that problem: Maybe he can go to Korea, do a tele-novela there and he can hope and pray it becomes a hit here.
Diva Montelaba — She can be a singing diva because she can sing — and dance. She is also perfect for contravida roles and I’m sure she will be very effective there.
Rocco Nacino — Being a romantic lead is out of the question. But he can do bad boy roles. If only action movies were still in vogue (and affordable because it’s now too expensive to have cars exploding on screen), he could be Robin Padilla’s heir-apparent. Meanwhile, he can do what he does best at the moment — dancing.
Princess Snell — Having previously posed for FHM, you already know where she’s heading to: Posing for more girlie magazines.
Ian Batherson — This Fil-Am boy should perish his dreams about becoming a serious dramatic actor (if he has any). But he can coast along doing comedy in teen flicks. But I doubt if he will have a long shelf life.
Fianca Cruz — At 5’10”, she is another beauty queen material (she had already expressed plans of joining next year’s Binibining Pilipinas). Unfortunately, her face isn’t very photogenic (she is so much prettier in person). And she needs to have something fixed surgically on her face. Calling Dr. Vicki Belo!
Rye Burgos — Gifted with a lean physique (very sellable these days), he has a very bright future in the field of modeling. There is another department he can try out: The acting business because he has the talent. But surely, he will be cast in stud roles. Okay, make way for the next king of indie movies.
Sef Cadayona — He is the kid in that ice cream commercial who pays his barber P20 and gets a haircut worth that amount. Like Rye, he can also pursue a career in modeling. But while waiting for what could be his niche in showbiz, he can concentrate first on his dancing because he moves as fabulously as Mark Herras.
Rox Montealegre — She is very fluent and the thoughts in her head come out fluid when she expresses them. Hosting is going to be her field of expertise. She can be another Kris Aquino.
Nina Kodaka — Funny in a tactless way (her punch lines are unstudied, but are most hilarious), she can be groomed as a comedienne. Some people say, she is the next Rufa Mae Quinto. My vibes say she will be another Toni Rose Gayda. Of course, Toni is lovelier, classier and more sophisticated. Nina should start polishing her ways the way Toni developed herself through the years. But my most ardent wish for Nina is to have Toni Rose Gayda’s longevity, which matters so much in this very finicky world of show business where the game is: Now you see them, now you don’t.
