People to watch out for in 2016
Supreme’s annual tradition of picking out the people who will rock pop culture this coming year started out as a guessing game based on gut feel, personal research and deep industry-insider connections. We began publishing this list since we launched this section in 2008, and all these years, we’re happy to say, we’ve been proven right. We just know it when someone — a star, actor, director, artist or talent — is about to break through or reach new heights, and it gives us deep pride and pleasure to be able to gaze within our subconscious and report to your consciousness the names that will matter more than most, and to prepare you for the year to come. Here, in no particular order are the people you must watch out for this 2016.
The new cast of ‘Encantadia’
Encantadia opened the floodgates of the fantaserye trend of the past decade. It was fresh, groundbreaking during its time and launched the careers of many stars to superstardom status. We heard auditions are ongoing — so who’s gonna play who? This new all-star cast is what people are waiting for, and what every junior star in GMA-7 is dreaming of. Names like Julie Anne San Jose, Gabbi Garcia, Starstruck winners Klea Pineda and Migo Adecer are floating around.
Tommy Esguerra
PBB’s breakout star has always been a fashion industry fave, but he was told in the beginning that it would be challenging to market him to the masses. Now that he’s got that out of the way and is now pursuing his dream of being an actor, expect more screen time for this long-haired heartthrob; 2016 will be his year to shine.
Pia Wurtzbach
She ended 2015 by putting an end to the 42-year drought that the country had experienced in the Miss Universe pageant and in doing so, inspired the world — the universe, rather — with her confidently beautiful ways — with a humble heart, at that. Expect 2016 to be even more stellar for Pia Wurtzbach as she fulfills her queenly duties.
Janelle Salvador & Elmo Magalona
ABS-CBN has Kathniel and JaDine. 2016 will also be about JanElmo. Makes sense. Both have famous parents but have stood on their own when it comes to talent and following. Janella was even handpicked by HK Disneyland to be their Filipino poster girl for the holiday season and Elmo, aside from being our local Justin Bieber, has also proven that he can very well carry a show. This new chapter in Elmo Magalona’s career is interesting to monitor because he already is a bankable star. Let’s see how his new network can make him go higher.
Maine Mendoza
2015 was a landmark year for #AlDub, the multimedia phenomenon that has broken all existing social media records all over cyberspace and beyond. But that was just the start. While the other half of the tandem, Alden Richards, has had plenty of exposure via TV shows and movies, Maine Mendoza is just getting started. And what a great start. 2016 will be a banner year, what with end-to-end billboards featuring Maine’s face plastered everywhere. She is the new queen of the endorsement circuit. Insiders tell me she’s a real firecracker. We are more than excited to see her soar more this coming year.
Curtis Smith
Curtis Smith is not related to Anne or Jasmine, but he sings/raps with a gritty honesty that is refreshing: “I have a dream I can make it on my own.” His words are that of a dreamer, hungry to express himself and carve his place in the world. Manila, meet your new makata.
Nathan Rodjam
Check out his Instagram account (@nathanrodjam) and see a full-mouthed barefaced new kid on the block who reminds us of a younger Borgy Manotoc. Nathan might just be the next male supermodel in Manila, as there’s been nobody who’s claiming the throne. New York City’s loss is Manila’s gain and you’ll also realize that this male model is also a crooner. Fashion industry, nurture this new “It” boy before showbiz gets a hold of him!
The new Darna
Star Cinema is still mum on who’s going to play this Pinoy superheroine but whoever it will be, expect the entire ABS-CBN machinery to focus all their marketing efforts on this new flying, fighting star. And as soon as you’re cast as Darna, you join the ranks of elite actresses tapped to play the red bra-wearing superheroine forever etched in Pinoy pop culture consciousness. It is the showbiz counterpart of the Miss Universe crown. Will it be Kathryn Bernardo? Nadine Lustre? Your guess is as good as mine.
Mark Bumgarner
If 2015 was the year of the female designer, the new year will give rise to Mark Bumgarner. Known for his sophisticated take on formal wear, he is set to collaborate with muse Heart Evangelista for his first big fashion gala this January 2016. Mark is making his mark this coming year. Expect lots of fabric and fabulosity from this young designer.
Baby Olivia
Olivia Manzano Reyes or Baby Olivia is not even a year old and already boasts 127,000 followers on Instagram and is the youngest ever to be put on this list of people to watch out for. Articles and blog entries, screensavers and various other products have been devoted to this social media sensation. We suggest Baby O’s dialogue with her parents, GP and Andi Manzano-Reyes, be made into a book. Now, that would definitely be a best-seller!
