New faces touted to make a splash on the small screen

Some say stars are born, while others claim they’re made. But one thing is for sure, they need to be plucked first from a sea of hopefuls. Then, they showcase their talent. Their journey officially begins when they are presented as the new faces to grace the entertainment world.

Taking on such task and paving the way for newbies is Sparkle, which has recently welcomed into its fold nine new male and eight female talents, bearing the name Sparkada, perhaps a coined term for Sparkle barkada. They promise to brighten up the summer, as the GMA 7’s talent management arm hinted in a press statement. Sparkle, under the tutelage of Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan, carries on to discover and develop new GMA artists and ambassadors, as shared by the star-maker about the artist center’s overall goal in a previous interview with this paper.

“There were auditions and they went through three to four go-sees,” Mr. M gave everyone a sneak peek into how the 17 were chosen in a recent virtual press conference. “Little by little, of course, you will see and appreciate their special qualities, especially (something that I call) X factor.” He added that the talents met a “quorum of judges,” who participated in the selection process. “Like I said, with these people, parang nahalata ko kaagad, nakita ko kaagad eh (I had already seen their potential when I met them). They’re representatives of their generation,” said he, “kasi media savvy sila, alam na alam nila yan (they are all media savvy. They know the platforms well). They are not shy at all, even the shyest of them knows how to present herself, (she is) very confident.”

According to Mr. M, based on the information given to the press, most Sparkada members are social media savvy and have a strong following in these online platforms. He shared that they “are already celebrities in their own spheres and rights,” and his team “is here to magnify it and make them even bigger stars. They have all been through intense workshops to make sure they are ready for the limelight.”

Some of the Sparkada members, who are up to showcase their talent in acting and performing, are Anjay Anson, Vanessa Peña, Dilek Montemayor and Vince Maristela.

“Personally, I’m a hardworking person and gusto ko laging na-cha-challenge din ako (I want to be challenged every time),” said the 19-year-old athlete and model Anjay of his strengths, personality-wise. “I’m also a very curious person.”

Vanessa, 17, said she will use “what I have experienced in my journey to have reached this far” as a source of strength in acting. Part of it, too, is her mother’s wish to see Vanessa perform and act on TV. Both Anjay and Vanessa have graced GMA shows like Widows’ Web.

The 23-year-old Dilek described herself as someone, “who loves to learn new things. Personality-wise, I’m open to challenges and also to comments and feedback, para continuous yung pag-grow and pag-improve ko sa sarili.”

For his part, Vince, 21, shared that “I’m an adaptable person. I adapt well to change, wala po akong pinipiling mga tao na ka-trabaho, mataas man yan o mababa, same lang po yung pagtrato ko sa kanila.”

With their right mindset going into the “leg work” of entertainment, Anjay, Vanessa, Dilek and Vince will make the grade to further jumpstart their careers.

“As of now, I’ve been practising my talents, I’ve been attending workshops and the likes,” said Anjay, who wishes to score his first lead role in a drama series or a movie. “Kasi dun ko makikita kung hanggang saan yung capabilities ko and kung ano pa yung mga pwede kong matutunan (With that, I will see for myself my capabilities and what other aspects of the craft that I can still learn).”

Almost treading the same path, Vanessa wanted to give “inaapi” roles a try and seemed enthusiastic about exploring the whole gamut of a tear-jerker project. Also interested in dramatic portrayal is Dilek, who simply loves acting. “So, in the future, I would like to be included in a teleserye,” said she, “I’m open to any role and I (also) want to play a lead role. I like drama and fantasy like Encantadia.”

From essaying roles that dig deep into human emotions and discover a fantastical world, Vince, if given the opportunity to choose a project, said, “I want to do a rom-com because I have a feeling it fits my personality. Funny kasi ako.”

With these boys and girls of Sparkada, GMA won’t lack in talents who are willing to play characters and fit the bill in future drama, fantasy and rom-com afternoon and primetime TV series. This is true as Sparkle guides these talents to nurture their potential as would-be matinee idols and leading ladies.

“I feel very thankful and blessed because Mr. M saw something in me,” said Anjay when he and fellow Sparkada were asked about this vital turn in their showbiz story, “yun yung parang nagiging motivation ko to push harder every single day.”

“I’m very happy to be with them (and be a part of Sparkada),” shared Vanessa of having found a second family in this batch of talents as well as in Sparkle. “I think ang nakita ni Mr. M is, for sure, since we had our workshops together, parang nakita nila kung paano kami nagtutulungan, kung paano i-cheer ang isa’t-isa, lalong lalo na kapag kinakabahan (he and his team saw how we helped and cheered up each other, especially when we had to deal with jitters),” that’s aside from the talents they have, as one may add.

As for Dilek, she said that she has become more inspired as a GMA talent because of the trust Sparkle has shown in making her a Sparkada. That’s why when Vince learned about it, too, he was “very emotional at that moment, Nakaka-proud sa sarili. Perhaps also the best part is, nakita ko yung mom ko na sobrang proud sa akin. It’s a dream come true,” said Vince.

Anjay, Vanessa, Dilek, Vince and other fellow Sparkada are now living out their dream to brighten up the summer and also the Kapuso small screen.