November 30, 2006

GMA's Starstruck 4 Primer

Starstruck 4 is already making it on the entertainment headlines with a very interesting pack of hopefuls...and to think that the show is only on its early casting stages.

One contestant will be banned from FHM, another was part of an ABS–CBN reality TV show, then another has done it all and seen it all in the business except for stardom, there's also a self–proclaimed lesbian, and a "Starstruck" returnee left to take care of her mentally challenged 28–year-old brother. These are just some of the engaging plights this season's "Starstruck" contestants are undergoing; apart from the pulse–pounding auditions they subjected themselves to. As if their lives weren't colorful enough, they plunged themselves into the dum-founding reality entertainment bound by the four corners and four sides of television.

This is youth reality. This is "Starstruck."

Inside the audition studio where nearly 100 contestants of boys and girls await their numbers to be called upon and prove they have what it takes to be an artista, the familiar pounding of the "Starstruck" heartbeat ruled most of the gender–classified beautiful faces on each side of the stage. Each contestant was given the spotlight on Nov. 20 for 30 seconds to show their talents. From the lot, 14 candidates will have be blessed the life–changing opportunities of Starstruck finalists should they make it.

The audition that started around 10 a.m. brushed through one hopeful after another. Some made impact, others made sense, still most of them did not know how to make the most out of 30 seconds. Each contestant was made to choose to act, dance or sing after sharing the most interesting quick facts about them.

From 9,000 auditioners of 16 to 21–year olds, "Starstruck's" casting team sent 92 to GMA studios from which only 40 will continue the journey to the final 14. If the "Starstruck" audition studio at the GMA compound was bombed, the Philippines would have lost the most beautiful people of our future. Almost all of the contestants looked too gorgeous to be real but only a handful have lives that tell more stories than the expressions on their faces.

In a Manila Bulletin exclusive "Starstruck" primer, here are some of the contestants who've made their presence felt, and most likely will find their destiny's about to change in December...

Charyze Pagotan, 17, traded FHM cover girl privileges for "Starstruck." Pagotan won the Padi's Bikini Open this year and one of her prizes was a career–defining FHM pose to be out in January. But after seeing the photos and finding some of them too suggestive, the chinita bombshell decided against it.

"Marami pa namang ibang magazines. Hindi ko naman siguro masyadong kawalan yun kasi naiintindihan ko na puwedeng banned na ko sa FHM kaya lang bukod dun sa mga ibang pictures na hindi ko nagustuhan, mas binigyan ko ng weight ang pagsali dito sa 'Starstruck,'" Pagotan disclosed to the Bulletin.

But what was she doing in a bikini contest and FHM pictorial in the first place when she's just a minor at 17? "My mother signed a waiver for that bikini contest. The FHM pose was part of that waiver," she reasoned out.

Among all the female contestant's, Pagotan was most cheered by the boys because of her 36–25–35 figure and at 17, she'd learned the truth for well–endowed girls like her: "Pag 'gifted' ka, mas maraming chances na you're being judged just by how you look. Sa tingin ko naman, may talent din ako at marami pa namang ibang magazine na puwede akong makapag–pose for in the future."

For now, she has her eyes set for fame via "Starstruck." "More than joining bikini contests, this is really my dream. Showbiz is really where I want to be. Having lost that FHM pose to the first runner up of that bikini contest is not my loss."

Another interesting contestant is David Gonzaga, 20, who was a finalist of the rival network's "Close Up to Fame" and has always been labeled a Sam Milby look–alike.

He countered though that the similarities end with the physical. Although he sings well and is said to be for recording material, he'd rather be unique. "It's more of a disadvantage when you're being likened to someone famous because whatever you do will be compared to the other person. But I take it as a challenge more than anything. If I will have to find my place in this business, I'd find it by being myself because at the end of the day, it's the only way I'd get there," Gonzaga explained.

He added, "I don't want to live under the shadows of someone else. I want to prove that I'm different though I have nothing but praises for Sam Milby for everything he has achieved so far in his career."

Like Gonzaga, 21–year-old half–American Daniel Bolle has had his share of the limelight. "I've played small, extra roles both for ABS–CBN and GMA 7. I've done years of modeling and I believe I've graduated from it already."

Bolle has appeared in "Sugo," "Love to Love," and "Magpakailanman" among his many other credits. "I've seen it all except that I want more now knowing that I am ready for bigger things in my career. I think I've graduated from modeling already and the next thing is mainstream showbiz for me."

And if Bolle missed his "Starstruck" target? "Then I have no choice but to go back to modeling. At least I will not wake up one day and realized I should have taken this chance."

Moving on to 15–year-old contestant Jessica Corcuero who is a confessed lesbian, this is the first time a "Starstruck" auditioner came clean with her identity and hopes to get accepted the way she is. "Okay lang po if maging limited ang offers ko should make it through the next round. Ang importante is pinakita ko kung ano po ako kasi mahihirapan din naman ako kung hindi ko gagawin ito."

She said what matters to her is realizing she has the courage to dare to be different without compromising one bit of her real self.

In the case of "Starstruck" returnee Ericka Bagang, one fall was not enough to discourage her. This 17-year-old who could pass for a Nancy Castiglione–double believes the only way she could help family and provide for her 28–year-old mentally–challenged bro-ther is through showbusiness.

"Last year I made it to Starstruck's final 60. I didn't want to stop there kasi hindi naman porke hindi ka umabot titigil ka na lang."

Having become a better person this year than the previous year, Bagang told, she looks at her situation to be more of an advantage because she already knew how certain things work during "Starstruck" auditions.

"I'm just praying that I make it this time. I will not quit and turn my back on pursuing my dreams even if I don't make it again."

Still hosted by Dingdong Dantes, Raymond Gutierrez and Jolina Magdangal, "Starstruck" season four starts airing in December. Unlike from the 'ultimate male and female survivors,' another pair will receive the same grand prizes as the 'Starstruck sweethearts.'

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