IN PHOTOS: Star Magic 2013

MANILA, Philippines – Who will be the stars of the future? Star Magic Circle 2013 launches the careers of 12 bright, young faces who may just be the next big thing in show business.

Star Magic Circle is the talent training center and star launch pad of ABS-CBN Network. The lucky few who are chosen from the thousands who audition undergo acting workshops, personality development and physical enhancement before being cast in the network’s shows and the films of Star Cinema.

Names of past Star Circle members are evidence that the launch pad means business. It has started the careers of the some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry including Rico Yan, Piolo Pascual, Marvin Agustin, Diether Ocampo, John Lloyd Cruz, Mylene Dizon, Patrick Garcia, Carlos Agassi, Baron Geisler and Shaina Magdayao .

This year’s batch is composed of child wonders, sons and daughters of showbiz royalty and new faces.

 

Alex Diaz

When his father didn’t approve of his career in modeling, Scottish-Filipino Alex Diaz pursued it behind his back. After living in Canada for two years, 17-year-old Alex went back to Manila and he was invited to a go-see in Star Magic after his stint in a TV commercial. A dean’s lister at the Enderun Colleges where he is taking up Marketing Management, Alex says he has always had a passion for the arts since he was a little kid. The young man admits though that he got star-struck seeing famous celebrities when he was waiting in line at a PBB audition and he is curious of how it is to be a star. He hopes to see himself starring in a movie or teleserye in time. 

Ingrid Dela Paz

Eighteen-year old Ingrid dela Paz was very happy to have been discovered by ABS-CBN President and CEO Charo Santos-Concio herself at the Gawad Eugenio Lopez, where she was an usher. Inspired by her family, Ingrid had been wanting to pursue a career in acting since she was in high school. Being a member of the drama club boosted her confidence. Now a college student at the Far Eastern University, she hopes to make her dream come true and become famous. Ingrid made her first on-screen appearance in an episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” 

Jerome Ponce

Jerome Ponce attempted to be a PBB teen housemate twice but fate instead led him to a go-see of the now hit afternoon drama “Be Careful with My Heart.” Now popularly known as Sir Chief’s firstborn, Luke, he fondly remembers his audition for the show. The 17-year-old says the show’s staff called him up, not to inform him if he passed, but to inform him of their taping schedule. He had to memorize his script in 10 minutes. Jerome says he wants to give showbiz a chance and postponed his collegiate studies at the Mapua University. He shares that he likes making people smile and he likes the acknowledgement one gets in the business aside from the fame and the lifestyle. Jerome wants to maintain the “good boy” image he has on “Be Careful with My Heart” but says he eventually wants to take on more versatile roles. He adds that he feels lucky to be part of Star Magic and hopefully become a serious actor in the years to come. 

Jane Oineza

A familiar face on television because of her stint as an original “Goin’ Bulilit” Kid, Jane Oineza has been working as a child actress since the age of 4. She blossomed as a young woman on the shows “Ligaw na Bulaklak” and “Maria La Del Barrio.” At the young age of 16, her work as an actress has already been recognized, not only in the country, but also abroad. Her “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episode opposite Angel Aquino as an abused child earned her a nomination at the prestigious New York Festival. Jane says she wants to be like Bea Alonzo, who is a very versatile actress. She wants to try action films, like the Angelina Jolie movie “Salt.” She also wants to do romantic comedies like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”.

Jon Lucas

Jon Lucas shares that, at first, he only wanted to be a university basketball player but when he joined a pageant in 2010, his friends encouraged him to pursue a career as an actor. He is very lucky to have made it to the final list of Star Magic Circle Batch 2013 as he lined up along with five hundred other hopefuls in the talent management’s public audition last April 2012. He remembers being the 129^th among thousands of aspiring artists. He is very lucky to be noticed and to be part of the newest batch of artists. The 17-year-old adds he can’t wait to work with his idols Coco Martin and John Lloyd Cruz and his ultimate crush Erich Gonzales. He is currently being seen on “Kahit Konting Pagtingin” as Angeline Quinto’s younger brother. 

Janella Salvador

Popularly known as Sir Chief’s daughter, Nikki, on hit serye “Be Careful with My Heart,” Janella Salvador was first seen on TV in a variety show. In real life, Janella is the daughter of actress-singer Jenine Desiderio and singer Juan Miguel Salvador. Inspired by her mother, 14-year-old Janella hopes to star in her own teleserye someday, similar to her favorites “Princess and I” and “Ina Kapatid Anak” or a dramatic episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” She also wants to work with her crush, Daniel Padilla. 

Julian Estrada

Son of Senator Jinggoy Estrada, 17-year-old Julian inherited the acting bug and began his showbiz career when he appeared in his father’s 2008 movie “Katas ng Saudi.” A second year high school student at OB Montessori, Julian admits he is very shy person but after he discovered acting, he has become open to more possibilities in show business. Julian believes he will be good in doing dramas and hopes to make his family proud. Julian feels he will succeed in doing “bad boy” roles and wants to act opposite John Lloyd Cruz and Anne Curtis someday. 

Julia Barretto

Considered showbiz royalty because of her parents Marjorie Barretto and Dennis Padilla, 15-year-old Julia Barretto has long been waiting for her big break on television. Julia has been encouraged by the people around her to try showbiz and that she’ll definitely become a big star in the future. She dreams of having a teleserye, like that of her aunts Claudine Barretto and Gretchen Barretto, and even a recording album as she believes she has what it takes to be a singer. Eventually, Julia wants to be known in the industry because of her skills and not just because of her parents and aunts. She wants to work with Sam Milby in a movie or teleserye.  

Khalil Ramos

Catapulted into the spotlight after landing second place in “Pilipinas Got Talent’s” 3rd season, 16-year-old Khalil Ramos feels very blessed to have gotten the role of Kiko in primetime teleserye “Princess and I” in the short time he is in showbiz. Although he is thankful to have broken into the world of acting, Khalil emphasizes that his number one priority is still his singing career. Wanting to perform in front of people since the age of 5, Khalil says he wouldn’t mind doing a dramatic show again or an action teleserye in the future. Khalil says he felt really challenged with his stint on “Princess and I” because aside from it being his first ever teleserye, he was able to work alongside known personalities like Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Gretchen Barretto and Albert Martinez.  

Liza Soberano

Proud to have been part of hit afternoon serye “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo” as Jake Cuenca’s younger sister, Liza Soberano says she can’t wait to tackle her next project. The 15-year-old already envisions herself as a primetime actress in the years to come and wants to portray a variety of roles. Liza will have her first big screen appearance in Star Cinema’s “Must Be Love,” as the 3^rd party in a love triangle with Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla. 

Kit Thompson

Attracted to fame since he was a young boy, 16-year-old Kit Thompson is most remembered as a former housemate in Pinoy Big Brother’s last teen edition. He first became a ramp model and at a fashion show, he was asked by a stylist if he wanted to try show business, leading to his stint on PBB. The Fil-New Zealander got his first acting gig via the Iza Calzado starrer “Kahit Puso’y Masugatan” and hopes he will star in more dramas in years to come. He will soon be seen on the silver screen in the Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padillla starrer “Must Be Love”.  His advice to those who want to pursue showbiz is to be serious in their craft and to not do things half-heartedly. He says everything will come in its right time and place, like it did for him. 

Michelle Vito

Michelle Vito didn’t mind playing the mean girl in recently concluded teleserye “Aryana” as it honed her skills as an actress. The 15-year-old admits she idolizes Bea Alonzo and Julia Montes and that they inspire her to pursue acting as a career. Michelle began modelling when she was just a kid and she says her most memorable experience is falling in line for hours just for a go-see. 

– With reports by Pia Ranada/Rappler.com