Despite being franchise-less there are new faces from Squad+, promising and fresh artists from Rise Artist Studio, former Kapuso stars and Jake Ejercito finally signed their contracts with ABS-CBN Star Magic to showcase their talents even at these challenging times.
Let’s take a look at the long list of these new talents.
Jake Ejercito.
Ejercito, 31, son of former President Joseph Estrada and former actress Laarni Enriquez. Formally introduced as a Kapamilya during a Zoom media conference on April 30.
He is one of the stars of the ABS-CBN new romantic- comedy–Marry Me, Marry You.
After a long time, he finally goes full-time in acting. He thought that this the right time to commit himself and get into acting.
According to Ejercito, in London, he pursued both his college and master’s degree. At 21, he became the father to Andy Eigenmann‘s first daughter, Ellie.
Now that Ellie is nine and he completed his studies, he is finally pursuing his career in showbiz without any hesitations.
Janine Gutierrez.
Former Kapuso actress Janine Gutierrez has finally received her debut teleserye in ABS-CBN after bidding her goodbye to GMA Network on January 15, 2021.
Gutierrez is teaming up with actor Paulo Avelino in the newest ABS-CBN light drama Marry Me, Marry You.
Sunshine Dizon.
Award-winning actress Sunshine Dizon has signed her contract with ABS-CBN after her 25-year stay with GMA-7.
Rumors about Dizon’s switching networks circulated after her contract with GMA-7 did not get renewed–making her a freelancer. She was also allegedly spotted attending the story conference of Marry Me, Marry You.
The speculations ended on April 30 as her entry to be part of the cast member for Marry Me, Marry You via a zoom press con.
Tetchi Agbayani.
After long years of working with GMA-7, veteran actress Tetchie Agbayani decided to move to ABS-CBN. She is now working with Yam Concepcion and JM De Guzman in ABS-CBN’s hottest series Init Sa Magdamag.
Before her move, Agbayani starred in two GMA drama series; Contessa in 2018 and Dahil Sa Pag-ibig in 2019.
Zach Castañeda.
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On March 15, ABS-CBN Film Talent management Rise Artist Studio officially welcomed Zach Castañeda, former GMA talent.
Zach mostly did commercials in the past, but he finally entered the world of showbiz.
Bianca De Vera.
A 19-year old Tiktok star. She aspires to become a leading lady in a rom-com drama.
Growing up, Bianca joined the Junior Master Chef Season One.
With her charm and cuteness, Bianca made it to the Rise Artist Studio. This is one step ahead to achieving her dreams.
Bianca also wants to work with Kathryn Bernardo and Liza Soberano, if given the chance.
Shanaia Gomez.
From the reality singing show Idol Philippines, Gomez, an 18-year-old talent is one of the five artists who recently joined the Star Magic and Rise Artist Studio.
She is an avid fan of actress Kathryn Bernardo and that she looks up to her when it comes to acting.
It’s a drama project that she dreams of doing to showcase not just her funny side, but also her dramatics.
Anji Salvacion.
Newbie actress and singer Anji Salvacion is glad as she is finally fulfilling her dreams to become a singer.
She believes that timing and prayers are the best weapons to achieve one’s dreams.
Salvacion also joined the Idol Philippines, but she did not make it to the cut. It did not hinder her to achieve more.
She occasionally performs on ASAP and she joined the iWantTFC series Unloving U where actress Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte starred in together.
KD Estrada.
He has big dreams in and out for showbiz. With his musical skills, he keeps his hopes high that it would someday take him far.
Back when he was 13, he started to learn to play the guitar. It eventually led his musical skills to expand from playing instruments to singing songs.
He is also an occasional performer in ASAP Natin ‘To.
Sam Cruz.
As the daughter of actress Sunshine Cruz and actor Cesar Montano–she feels the pressure as she enters the entertainment industry.
However, talking to her mom eased the pressure and it helps her to boost her confidence.
Sam knew the Gold Squad from the Kadenang Ginto.
She is excited to follow the footsteps of her mom in acting.
With her optimistic soul and bubbly personality, this lovely lass will eventually find her career blossoming someday.
Angela Ken.
An 18-year old Tiktok sensation, Angela Ken has turned into a professional artist. She is a native of Imus, Cavite.
Became famous for her song composition. She has tons of supporters that led her to be called on by Star Magic. She signed up for a recording contract with Star Music.
Ashton Salvador.
Coming from the lineage of Daniel Padilla, Karla Estrada, Philip Salvador, Marco Sison, and Alona Alegre–the 18-year-old is joining the ranks of his celebrity relatives.
With Daniel Padilla as his inspiration, he is hoping to showcase his wide range of talents.
Having a passion for music, he considers his ability to play the guitar as his strength.
Analain Salvador.
Talent runs in the blood of the Salvador siblings.
Analain Salvador, Ashton’s sister, also took the path to the entertainment industry.
She is a varsity volleyball player and her realizations as an athlete helped her to pursue her career in showbiz.
Raven Rigor.
A 19-year old cutie Raven Rigor is into arts and film.
He’s determined to pursue acting.
Raven is currently majoring in Medical Technology at Saint Louis University.
He is set to join the cast of the upcoming project Huwag Kang Mangamba. Also, he’s ready to seal his acting career, but his calendar is filling up due to his studies.
Renshi De Guzman.
De Guzman has done few supporting roles for several films such as Deadma Walking and Class of 2018.
His experience has made him explore acting and he wants to dive further into the entertainment industry.
He did not plan on becoming an artist, but when he turned 14, opportunities started knocking on his door.
His handsome looks caught the attention of a talent scout and though he was hesitant at first, he then accepted the offer.
In 2020, he played the role of Ronin in the Filipino BL series In Between.
Danica Ontengco.
Ontengo is known for playing the character of Alison, the sister of Rachel (Sofia Andres’s character) in iWantTFC series La Vida Lena.
Her career as a vlogger on YouTube became the key to entering the entertainment industry.
For four years, she is a vlogger. She has a total of 600,000 subscribers.
Keann Johnson.
Model-actor Keaan Johnson assumed one of the leads in the Filipino BL film The Boy Foretold By The Stars.
In 2020, the said film earned several awards from Metro Manila Film Festival. The awards were: Second Best Picture, Best Original Soundtrack, and the Gender Sensitivity Award.
Angelica Lao.
Lao is also famous on Tiktok.
It gave her the chance to shine and eventually, she got chosen to be one of the new talents in Squad+.
At the age of 13, Angelica Lao joined runway events, and a year after she started looking for stints in ABS-CBN
Nio Tria.
Tria is the son of seasoned actress Cherry Pie Picache.
From being a competitive tennis player, Nio found it unbelievable to be entering the world of showbiz.
Just as his career as an athlete, Nio is ready to hone his skills in acting and to learn more.
Jimuel Pacquiao.
The last to sign is Jimuel Pacquiao, the son of the world-renowned Pinoy boxing champ Manny Pacquiao.
His love for boxing is the same as his love for pursuing his career in acting.
Not without a franchise could stop the Network from continuing its commitment to serve the Filipino people with quality entertainment. Its continuous efforts in discovering new talents, honing them to become the big stars are commendable work. Thus, more and more still want to be part of a Network that extends its warmth of being family or Kapamilya to its audience and would-be artists.
No other Network makes stars the brightest and becomes sought-after. Only with ABS-CBN, which these newly-signed names are in good hands with a better future into the industry, they chose to journey. (Additional text by Jude Cartalaba.)
