From newbies AJ Raval and Sean de Guzman to long-time aspirants Belle Mariano and Sanya Lopez, young personalities who broke through during the pandemic are proving to be the next breed of superstars in Philippine showbiz world.
Here are the new names whose stars [definitely] shined the brightest during the pandemic.
Many of these stars walked into the current health crisis as virtually unknowns but emerged as popular.
Nearly two years have unraveled a surprising mix of new young celebrities who astonishingly got catapulted to fame. Yet, some of the old-timers who have long waited for their turn to shine finally got their moment at a time most stars would take their time off and keep themselves safe within the four corners of their homes instead. The past 18 months have magnified social media as the driver for fame, but some found other ingenious ways to capture the spotlight.
There are many more standouts who came to public attention during the pandemic, but the following are arguably the ones who made the more buzz:
AJ Raval.
Raval has dramatically risen to massive popularity due to her seemingly relentless appearances in Vivamax movies.
This year, alone, she starred in no less than three mainstream films.
Her FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano stint was also one factor why she found herself in the limelight during the pandemic, and there surely are more projects for her, underway.
Angela Ken.
If there’s one newbie recording star who shines the brightest during the pandemic, Ken is surely that person.
From being a viral TikTok star, she immediately saw fame via her anthemic debut single—which she wrote—Ako Naman Muna. Now a Star Magic talent and a Star Music artist, the new recording artist is off to bigger successes in her young career.
She’s also the voice behind Sila Pa Rin, one of the theme songs of ABS-CBN’s heartwarming series, Marry Me, Marry You.
Belle Mariano.
For a superfan who’s seen Mariano act since she was a child star, the proudest moment must be when the young actress finally had the spotlight shine on her.
It is difficult to deny He’s Into Her’s humungous role in bringing Mariano to public attention, but it’s hard to dismiss the enormous talent that makes her deserving of this big break, either. Mariano’s further ascent is anticipated to make her one of ABS-CBN’s new powerhouse leading ladies, as more attention is paid to her burgeoning onscreen team-up with Donny Pangilinan.
Charlie Dizon.
Not too many young actresses today, move in their careers as expeditiously as Dizon does. Now at full tilt, Dizon’s young showbiz career is anticipated to get even more promising, with her long-awaited teleserye debut via the upcoming Kapamilya TV series, Viral Scandal.
An MMFF Best Actress at 24, Dizon and it will be no surprise should she bags more prestigious acting accolades in the future, given her enormous talent and versatility.
Taa may be among the first housemates to be evicted in her PBB season, but she’s not the last one to embrace the spotlight. After her breakthrough role on the hit iWantTFC series, He’s Into Her, Taa’s career is set to move in an upward projection. She is currently nominated as LionhearTV’s RAWR Awards as Beshie ng Taon, which proves that even this early, her talent is already catching attention.
Criza Taa.
Taa may be among the first housemates to get evicted in her PBB season, but she’s not the last one to embrace the spotlight.
After her breakthrough role on the hit iWantTFC series, He’s Into Her, Taa’s career is set to move in an upward projection. She is currently nominated for LionhearTV’s RAWR Awards as Beshie ng Taon, which proves that even this early, her talent is already catching attention.
David Licauco.
At least recently, Chinito charmers have been hard to come by on television and film.
Licauco’s emergence has filled the void, but he’s not just a pretty face. His debut series, Heartful Café, is just one of the growing reasons why he’s all set to become one of his home network’s future banner actors.
Donny Pangilinan.
Pangilinan’s cosmic surge in popularity may be largely attributed to his onscreen team-up with another breakthrough star, Belle Mariano, but there’s no question of his capacity to thrust superstardom by himself.
The turning point for him in the last 18 months, however, is undoubtedly DonBelle, which is seemingly fated to become their generation’s most successful love team.
Elijah Canlas.
Canlas’s golden ticket to fame is arguably his partnership with Kokoy de Santos, with whom he starred in the hit Web series, Gameboys.
But even long before the explosion of the boys’ love (BL) as a pandemic craze, Canlas’s name, and artistic brilliance already got noticed in the indie film industry. That said, his rise to mainstream fame is inarguably facilitated by Gameboys, whose second season is already around the corner.
Jane de Leon.
The fact that she is the new Darna speaks volumes of de Leon’s fated path to superstardom.
She already showcased a peek of her action skills via the six-year-old action drama, FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, but the upcoming superheroine series will undoubtedly deliver them in full display.
JC Alcantara.
It’s hard to miss the attention being given by ABS-CBN to Alcantara, these days.
After starring in the breakout boys’ love (BL) series, Hello Stranger, Alcantara took on bigger roles, and he is now set to appear in a new Star Creatives project. Poised to become one of ABS-CBN’s new dramatic actors, he is unquestionably tracking a path that may ultimately send him to superstardom.
Jeremiah Lisbo.
Lisbo’s leading man potential is unmistakable.
He is a promising actor, too. His mix of matinee idol looks and impressive acting chops are very likely to aid him in his quest to go further in show business.
After his remarkable series debut in He’s Into Her, Lisbo is all geared to tackle more roles in subsequent series, and he won’t be a surprise if he nails them once again.
Kaori Oinuma.
Chinita beauties have long fascinated audiences, but Oinuma doesn’t just have her alluring looks to seal her fate as ABS-CBN’s future young female superstars. Since her PBB stint, Oinuma has navigated her young showbiz career at a pace not too many of her contemporaries can replicate. She’s a diamond in the rough, which means there’s more to unravel in this beauty that already looks very promising this early in her showbiz journey.
Kelvin Miranda.
Even with his team-up with Kapuso actress, Mikee Quintos, Miranda’s overwhelming potential to become among GMA Network’s new top leading men, is already convincing. With his partnership with new Kapuso actress, Beauty Gonzales, the success of their mini-series, Loving Miss Bridgette, and the release of his new single, Miranda can showcase new facets of his compelling artistry, which may be the key for him to stake his claim to being his home network’s new superstars.
Kokoy de Santos.
De Santos’ surge to stardom no doubt started via his breakthrough role in the boys’ love hit, Gameboys, which paved the way for his following major projects. Now a Kapuso star, de Santos’ meteoric ascent is hoped to take him further to superstardom, as his new home network looks all-poised to groom him as part of its new roster of Kapuso leading men.
Ian Pangilinan.
Ian is just one of Pangilinan’s whose names greatly made noise during the pandemic—the other two beings, Paolo and Donny. After the massive success of the Web series he starred alongside Paolo, Pangilinan found himself immersed in mainstream media. He currently appears on the primetime series, Niña Niño, which may be just the beginning of more big projects to come.
Royce Cabrera.
After his Kapamilya and boys’ love stints, Cabrera has been dramatically emerging from the sidelines to become one of GMA Network’s future top leading men.
The actor has already made compelling impressions via his appearances in the indie film, Fuccbois, the ABS-CBN series, A Soldier’s Heart, and the web series, Quaranthings, but his tenure as a Kapuso star, is sure to give him much bigger breaks.
Sanya Lopez.
One can say that Lopez’s potential has long been showcased through the various shows she appeared in, in the past; but her star never shined as bright as it did during the pandemic. With First Yaya, Lopez has fully become a Kapuso primetime leading lady, marking a new era in her career which sees her soar at a never-before-seen pace.
Sean de Guzman.
De Guzman’s surge to fame began with his widely-talked about Anak ng Macho Dancer debut. Like AJ Raval, Guzman has enjoyed lead-role appearances in at least five mainstream films, most of which are banking on his sexy star appeal. A moreno charmer, De Guzman’s continued upward trajectory may be only sustained by further appearances in more sexy films, but his artistic talents could be enough to keep him going forward in his career.
Seth Fedelin.
Fedelin’s swoon-worthy suave is just one of his impressive traits that places him at the forefront of his generation’s most promising stars. Also, a recording star, the PBB alumnus is perfectly fit to occupy the spots left by departing homegrowns, but Fedelin is also his star, who is poised to create his signature and mark in the industry.
Yasser Marta.
Marta’s Middle Eastern looks could be any showbiz aspirant’s golden ticket to penetrate the business, the half-Portuguese star does not have just that to secure his place as among GMA Network’s next top leading men. Having starred in two daytime TV series and a GTV mini-series, already, one can’t deny his home network’s investment in his career.
Who among these breakthrough stars do you think will soar further in their careers? Did you think we missed someone on this list? Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comment section.
