Star Magic’s new music artists excited about opportunities, possibilities

The newest artists to join ABS-CBN’s talent management arm are looking forward to more opportunities to be seen and heard in the industry.

The newest singers to join the ABS-CBN’s talent management arm Star Magic articulated their hopes and aspirations in a virtual media conference following the signing of their contracts during the recent Star Magic Black Pen Day. They formed the last batch of artists coming from the strategic partnership between Star Magic, Polaris and Ogie Alcasid’s A-Team.

The A-Team, mentored by Ogie, is composed of Anthony Barion, Poppert Bernadas, Krystelle, Moira Lacambra, Davey Langit, Gian Magdangal and Lara Maigue. They are excited for the possibilities that the partnership could offer to their careers.

“Excited ako sa mga possibilities kung ano ‘yung pwede nilang ibigay for us to be heard or to showcase our talents,” said Davey, who was part of ABS-CBN’s songwriting Pinoy Dream Academy in 2006. “At the end of the day, ang kailangan lang naman ng isang artist ay pagkakataon. If mabigyan ng pagkakataon, we’re gonna be very grateful for that.”

Gian agreed with Davey by saying, “That’s why we’re all here. Also, to be able to reach out to more people all over the world. Nandito tayo para mag-share ng boses natin, (to share nang) mga magagandang kuwento, (and) mag-inspire. Tsaka siyempre gusto rin natin mag-trabaho.” Gian pursued acting and musical theater after he finished as a runner-up in Philippine Idol back in 2006.

Lara, a former member of The Opera Belles, shared that the A-Team is “so excited” to be partnering with Star Magic and that the team has formed a very close bond. “We just want to share our love for each other and how we can merge our talents to create music together, especially with Star Magic. We’re just really excited.”

Apart from the opportunities, Moira is keen on learning new things from her Star Magic family and A-Team artists. Moira is the niece of ethnic singer and musician Joey Ayala.

Anthony, who was discovered on Kumu, is likewise eager to seize the new opportunities. “We’re very blessed to be part of the Star Magic family,” he said. “Alam ko we’re gonna take up these experiences and use the available resources that Star Magic has to bring out the best in us.”

Considered as a wonder kid since he has started his music career early on, rap artist Aikee stated he is one with the group. “Nasa isang goal, isang mission lang ang A-Team. Mag-share ng talent at magpasaya ng maraming tao. Tsaka ‘yun talaga eh, opportunity talaga kailangan. So ito na ‘yun.” Aikee is behind the 2013 hit song Dota o Ako.

Krystelle, for her part, wanted to explore beyond singing for commercials. “Of course, opportunities. I’m looking forward to (do) collaboration. And I think one of the things talaga that I’m most looking forward (to) is the opportunity to be seen.”

“I did sing for a commercial that went viral and in many other commercials,” she added. “That’s what my career was like in the past few years. I was always like the voice behind this project. And now I am excited that Star Magic is giving me the opportunity to put myself out there, to be seen more and share my talents with everybody else.”

Theater actor Poppert, on the other hand, said, “Hindi ako nag-paplano kasi. Go with the flow lang si Poppert. Ang importante sa akin, andun yung excitement, yung kaba. Kasi ‘pag naramdaman ko ‘yun, parang may something talaga na kakaibang mangyayari sa buhay ko. And given naman na nandiyan ‘yung opportunities. Para sa akin, ‘yung kaba at excitement talaga. Lagi akong excited sa mga ibibigay pa ni Lord sa akin na mga blessings.” Poppert is also The Voice alumnus and a member of the Ryan Cayabyab Singers.

Meanwhile, Tawag ng Tanghalan’s (TNT) pride, under Polaris, recalled how ABS-CBN changed their lives and careers as performers.

Janine Berdin and Sheena Belarmino shared their dreams come true because of ABS-CBN.

“Naabot ko yung mga things na hindi ko akalain na maabot ko pala. Hindi ko naman dini-dream talaga na makakanta ko yung mga idols ko… pero nangyari ‘yun dahil sa ABS-CBN,” Janine said.

“Dahil sa ABS-CBN, natupad yung dreams ko. Nakilala din po ako sa iba’t ibang panig ng mundo. Dreams do come true,” Sheena added.

For JM Yosures, he didn’t expect that he would be part of Star Magic. “Hindi ko talaga in-expect lahat. At nung nagka-pandemic nga, nagkaroon ako ng problems sa job. Di ako nakapag-abroad. So, inisip ko na parang ‘yung path ng career ko na pinili na engineering (was not meant for me), na lost ako. Pero I wasn’t lost after all, I was just redirected to another road and this is it. Mas light na ‘yung feeling ko, mas masaya na ako ngayon.” He thanked Star Magic and ABS-CBN for the opportunity.

iDolls members Enzo Almario, Lucas Garcia, and Matty Juniosa expressed their gratitude to ABS-CBN for making their lives “colorful.”

Lucas shared he was able to finance his family because of the chance given to him by ABS-CBN through Idol Philippines. “At siyempre, the fact na merong opportunity at nakikilala ka kahit sa social media or sa kahit anong platform, gaya ng ABS-CBN, andaming nagpapaabot ng pagmamahal sa’yo. At sa pagmamahal na ‘yun, sobra ‘yung happiness na nabibigay sa’yo. Gusto mo pa lalo mag-inspire at maging passionate sa ginagawa mo.”

“ABS-CBN made me realize that I am a huge dreamer,” said Matty. He used to dream of sharing the stage with Sarah Geronimo on ASAP. “Ang cute lang ng mga ganung moments na parang when I was younger, I used to dream about it. And now I’ve reached, in a sense, the dream. I think I’m dreaming more. So parang it made me realize na you never really stop.”

Enzo looked back on his singing competition’s journey. “’Yung TNT kasi talaga ang nagbigay sa akin freedom. Sobrang thankful ko dahil right after ng Idol Philippines, naging iDolls. Parang level 1, 2 and 3 ang (pagbibigay ng) freedom ko as a person.”

“Sobrang thankful ako sa ABS-CBN kasi they gave us this chance and opportunity,” he furthered. “Never in my wildest dreams na maging part ako or kami ng Star Magic. Kaya sobrang thankful ako sa ABS-CBN kasi akala ko ‘pag sinabi kong bakla ako, it ends there. Pero it opened a lot of doors for us.”

Sab and Recio, both 19, are ready to kickstart their music commitments with Star Magic.

Besides singing, Recio is also open to acting and hosting stints. He said that he wants his music to be known internationally through Star Magic. “It’s a dream of mine to really promote Filipino music all around the world because I truly believe andaming talented dito sa Pilipinas. Andaming creative dito sa Pilipinas. I feel that we should share it to the world. That’s my dream that we can hopefully accomplish with Star Magic.”

Fans and netizens can’t help but notice the chemistry between the two. When asked about the idea of pairing them as a love team, Recio answered, “We got along when we first met. She’s a wonderful person, really nice. We’ve been exchanging ideas and all that. She’s wonderful to work with. I’m not comfortable with that yet but it’s cool. I’m glad people are getting kilig over it and at the same time, we’re just good friends.”

Sab added, “We are starting our careers, we are trying to establish who we are in the industry so I think in the future, personally for me, I’m open to anything that comes along. I’ll be grateful for whatever opportunity as long as it is appropriate and I trust the management naman po.”

The Star Magic Black Pen Day will be aired on July 18 at 9:30 p.m. on A2Z and Kapamilya Channel.