Wish Upon a Star

When you wish upon a star; makes no difference who you are... – from a popular song

...And anything your heart desires will come to you...

Thousands of starry-eyed aspirants from all over the country wished upon a star and responded to GMA’s call to, you know, "Dream. Believe. Survive."

For the first time in three years, StarStruck (Nationwide Invasion), the original local artista search, conducted auditions in various parts of the country that attracted tens of thousands. The number was winnowed down to more than a hundred and then to only 14 who were judged (by a panel of three, composed of Lorna Tolentino, Joey de Leon and director Louie Ignacio) American Idol-style for three months on national television in terms of acting, singing, dancing and hosting, with emphasis on "star quality."

Four survived the, uh, "ordeal" at the grand finals held Sunday night last week at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City, witnessed by more than 30,000 who occupied every seat at the venue and by millions of others at households both here and in Filipino communities abroad via Pinoy TV (Japan and other parts of Asia, parts of the US, etc.).

And the survivors were:

• Mark Angelo "Marky" Cadaweng Cielo, Male Ultimate Survivor and Sole Survivor (first time for the talent search to pick one)

• Jackie Rice, Female Ultimate Survivor

• Gian Carlo "Gian" Ho, Prince Survivor

• Aileen Iwa Moto, Princess Survivor

Will the new StarStruck batch surpass, or even equal, the record thus far of Batch One (Mark Herras, Jennylyn Mercado, Rainier Castillo and Yasmien Kurdi) and Batch Two (Mike Tan, Ryza Cenon, LJ Reyes and CJ Muere)?

Remains to be seen.

Meet them:

• Marky, 17 (May 12, Taurus), 50-percent Igorot (from Mountain Province), an Architecture freshman at St. Louis University in Baguio City, older of two children (born in Butuan City where his father hails from). Role models: Keannu Reeves and Richard Gutierrez.

• Jackie, 15 (April 27, Taurus), is half-Filipino and half-American, a senior at St. Anne Academy (High School) in Olongapo City, youngest of five children. Role models are Angel Locsin ("Sobrang mabait") and Charlene Gonzalez.

• Gian, 16 (April 3, Aries), is half-Filipino and half-Chinese, a senior at Iloilo National High School, older of two children (with half siblings on both his mother’s side and father’s side). Role models: American Idol runner-up Bo Bice (Gian is known as the Rocker) and Dennis Trillo.

• Iwa, 17 (August, Virgo), half-Filipino and half-Japanese, Masscom freshman at University of Perpetual Help (Las Pinas City), eldest of four children (with two half siblings on mother’s side and two more on Japanese father’s side). Role model: Sharon Cuneta.

As Ultimate Survivors, Marky and Jackie won, among other prizes, a P2-M management contract with GMA and P1-M cash each. As Sole Survivor, Marky got a P2.5-M house and lot from Filinvest East Country and a P1.5-M package from Ink For Less.

As runners-up, Gian and Iwa each got P250,000 cash and a management contract with GMA. The 10 Avengers (the rest of the Final 14) have been put under contract with GMA.

How did you get into StarStruck?

Marky: I heard about the auditions on radio. I auditioned with my friend. I passed but my friend was disqualified because he was overage. (Age range was 15 to 18.)

Jackie: I had to convince my father that I could combine showbiz and school. I traveled from Olongapo to Manila to line up with thousands of others who lined up at the GMA gate for the auditions.

Gian: Curiosity. I was dared by my friends. At first, I didn’t want to join showbiz because I’m shy. But now, I’m starting to enjoy it.

Iwa: At first, I was hesitant because I was scared of showbiz intrigues. I didn’t want my private life to be exposed. But my neighbor insisted that I audition, makulit talaga siya. Finally, I auditioned to appease my neighbor.

What did you learn from the StarStruck experience?

Marky: Grab the opportunity because you’ll never know if it’s your last.

Jackie: To give your best all at once because there’s no more Take 2.

Gian: I learned how to deal with people. Before, I must admit, medyo mayabang (boastful) ako. But I’ve learned to be humble, because my batchmates were all good-looking and I’m the only one who is not.

Iwa: Huwag magpadalus-dalos. Haste makes waste, di ba? Be careful with what you say or do. I realized that you can’t please everybody.

What kind of family do you come from?

Marky: My mom, an Igorot, is a disciplinarian; she’s a working mom. Igorots are very religious, especially my grandmother.

Jackie: My parents are together. My dad is strict, but my mom is more liberal. She’s japorms. I have four brothers and they are protective toward me.

Gian: My family is conservative. I didn’t grow up with my parents. I am a Lola’s Boy.

Iwa: My family? Magulo! My parents separated when I was small. Both have families of their own. My mom is strict. But my dad, a Japanese, is cowboy – you know, the walang pakialam type, like a teenager just out of the cage. We go on gimik together. Mas matino pa ako kaysa kanya. He’s 42 and he has a girlfriend, 19 years old.

Gian, weren’t you disappointed that you lost (to Marky)?

Gian: No. From the start, all (14) of us conditioned our minds that we’d support whoever would win. I was happy being included in the Final 4.

What about you, Iwa?

Iwa: No. When I auditioned, I told myself that if I made it to the Final 14, happy na ako. Then, I ended up with the Final 4.

Marky, did you expect to win?

Marky: No, I did not. During my dance number at the finals, one of my shoes flew. I wanted to pick it up and put it back on but I didn’t want to interrupt my dancing. I thought Iwa would be the Sole Survivor.

What about you, Jackie?

Jackie: I really thought Marky would be "it." He’s really deserving. All of us in the batch like him. He’s humble. He hasn’t changed; kuripot pa rin siya. (Laughs)

What do you think is your winning quality?

Marky: I may be lacking in looks but I try to make up for it by showing my talent. (Actually, Marky typifies the essential Pinoy macho.)

Jackie: I think yung pagpapaka-totoo ko.

Gian: I’m somewhat makulit (playful), silent, quiet, sensitive and matampuhin. Maybe it’s because of my family background.

Iwa: My being frank, I guess. Yes, a pasaway (troublesome). I have an "attitude" and I would say that I’m different, naiiba ako.

How has StarStruck changed your life?

Marky: First, my daily routine has changed completely. Before, it was home to school, then school to home. I seldom went out. I’m not fond of gimik. People are starting to recognize me and it still bothers me a bit.

Jackie: A lot of changes. I used to stay home most of the time when I wasn’t in school. But now, I’m always out, working. But it’s okay with me because I know I’m doing this for my future.

Gian: I learned how to be independent. Before, nobody would help me, only my Lola. Now, I have a family I can call my own, composed of my uncles and aunts. They are all supportive of me now. Noon kasi, I was problematic, hard to deal with. My attitude has changed for the better.

Iwa: Before, I was the one asking for allowance from my parents. Now, I help in the family expenses. I never expected that at age 17, I’d be working. I missed going out in pajamas. If I do that now, people would criticize me for not dressing well.

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