Looking for someone ‘born to be a star’

MANILA, Philippines - “Some stars are discovered. Some stars are made. But we are looking for someone who’s Born To Be a Star.”

That’s the extro spiel of hosts Ogie Alcasid, Mark Bautista and Yassi Pressman at the end of every show of the newest talent search on TV, Born To Be a Star, which airs on TV5.

The likes of Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, Mark Bautista and Rachelle Ann Go started their illustrious showbiz careers by joining a singing contest. Their vocal prowess undoubtedly paved the way to give them a better life and good fortune.

Born To Be a Star is the most recent competition that seeks to discover the next singing sensation. Airing Saturdays and Sundays at 7 p.m., the talent search heralds the partnership of Viva Television and TV5, which will jointly produce several more shows within the year.

The fantasy-romance series, Tasya Fantasya, with Shy Carlos and Mark Neumann, also premiered last Feb. 6. Expected to air soon are Carlo J. Caparas’ Ang Panday, with Richard Gutierrez and the dramatic tele-series, Bakit Manipis ang Ulap, which marks the return of Claudine Barretto with Cesar Montano and Diether Ocampo.

As a prelude to Born To Be a Star, TV5 aired the memorable finals of Star for a Night, where Sarah Geronimo bagged the title and paved the way for her stellar singing career. That Star for a Night also gave rise to the singing career of Mark and even had Angeline Quinto as one of the finalists.

Born To Be a Star features four Star Hopefuls (read: contestants), who compete in every show. The contestants are apparently strictly screened because by the time they are presented onstage to compete, they are already given a make-over. They also know how to carry themselves before an audience and in front of TV cameras.

The young singers, ages 13 to 18, also undergo mentoring with the finest coaches. Sushi Reyes formerly of The Opera quartet acts as the vocal coach, while veteran choreographer Geleen Eugenio is the performance coach.

Before the performer is introduced, his back story is briefly featured — where he hails from and how he started singing. Mark  visits the contestants even in out-of-town places and delivers to them the good news that they were chosen to join Born To Be a Star. On performance night, Mark is assigned backstage as he joins the loved ones of the Star Hopefuls.

Judges for the show are collectively called Star Council. The artists are also the “cream of the crop” among today’s performers. They are rap icon Andrew E, concert queen Pops Fernandez, acoustic superstar Aiza Seguerra and rock royalty Rico Blanco.

“We are looking not just for talented individuals but someone with ‘it’ factor,” said Pops.

Kim Molina recorded the Born To Be a Star theme, her hauntingly sentimental version of Pangarap na Bituin, originally sung by Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

On the second night last Feb. 7, the four Star Hopefuls who battled it out were 16-year-old Alliyah Cadellina of Quezon City who sang Chandelier; 13-year-old Michael Tenefrancia of Parañaque who warbled Halik; 16-year-old Reign Andi Ng of Quezon City who rendered Di Mo Lang Alam; and 14-year-old Krezia Tonacao of Novaliches who belted out One Night Only.

Before the winner is named at the end of every show, the Star Council gets into a short deliberation. Then, the four Star Hopefuls stand on their respective “stars” onstage. The star that lights up is the winner for the night and will move on to the next stage of the competition.

The winner or Ultimate Star in Born To Be a Star will take home P1M, a house and lot and a management contract with Viva Artists Agency (VAA), so through the latter alone, the winner is assured of a singing career, TV exposure, concerts.

Born to Be a Star is directed by Monty Parungao.