. Here’s hoping those who are in charge of running the show will be more discerning this time in choosing who will hit it big. Most of their winners didn’t really make it as big stars. Only the winners of the first batch in 2004 really made an impression, Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras, who did several movies and TV shows. But now, after 14 years, Jennylyn is the only one who still does lead roles on TV and the movies. Mark has been relegated to supporting roles. Their runners up are Yasmien Kurdi, who still does lead roles in soaps, but Rainier Castillo has faded back to oblivion.
The second batch had Mike Tan and Ryza Cenon in 2005. They now play supporting roles. The runners up are LJ Reyes (who won several acting awards for “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”) but is now missing in action. The male runner up is CJ Muere, now also back to oblivion.
The third batch winners in 2006 are Jackie Rice (now playing contravida roles even if she’s leading lady material) and the late Marky Cielo (may he rest in peace). The runners up are Iwa Moto and Gian Carlos (now also both back to oblivion).
The fourth batch in 2007 had 4 winners: Aljur Abrenica (who has since moved to ABS-CBN and now play supporting roles) and Kris Bernal (still does lead roles in soaps), and Martin Escudero (did lead roles but now back to supporting ones) and Jewel Mische (the former Girlfriend sa Dilim who’s now married in the States).
The fifth batch in 2007 had Steven Silva (now back to oblivion) and Sarah Lahbati (now a mom of two sons) as the main winners. The runners up are Enzo Pineda (now with ABS-CBN), Rocco Nacino (still active with GMA), Diva Monteleba (plays supporting roles in soaps).
The show rested for five years because Starstruck 6 was held in 2015. The last batch of winners are Migo Adecer and Klea Pineda, who are still doing supporting roles up to now and have yet to be elevated to full stardom. Male runner up Elyson de Dios is back to oblivion while female runner up Ayra Mariano is still around doing supporting roles.
Take not that those who really hit it big are Starstruck contestants who left GMA and moved to ABS-CBN, notably Cristine Reyes, Arci Munoz and Paulo Avelino. And now, they’re having the 7th Starstruck search with auditions once again to be conducted nationwide, open to male and female aspirants, 16 to 21 years old of Filipino descent.
Auditions will be held in Metro Manila from January 21 to February 15, Cagayan de Oro on January 26, Butuan City on January 27 and Naga City on February 9 and 10. Well, we hope they’ll have a good harvest of future superstars this time. Take note that their counterpart on ABS-CBN, “Pinoy Big Brother”, is more successful in building up their own discoveries like Gerald Anderon, Kim Chiu, James Reid, Melai Cantiveros, Maymay and Edward, and even non winners like Sam Milby, Zanjoe Marudo, Joshua Garcia and Tom Rodriguez who moved to GMA-7.
