It’s never too early–or too late

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, current teen favorites, at the Star Magic Ball last year RICHARD A. REYES

At media fora, we’re sometimes asked by prospective starlets and their “stage parents” if there’s a “right time” to try one’s luck in entertainment. Well, we reply as helpfully as possible, youth is a premium in Philippine show business, so one rule could be “the younger, the better.”

That’s why tykes as young as 3 years old (think Niño Muhlach and Aiza Seguerra) are trotted out to charm and delight the entire nation, and talents still in their tweens and very early teens are “introduced” as prospective “stars of tomorrow.”

In the final analysis, it’s all a matter of “extended productivity.” If a 13- or 14-year-old becomes a star, his or her producer can make good use of the new lead’s popularity for at least a full decade—that’s a lot of bankable “insurance” for their future projects!

Of course, there are exceptions—

Boots Anson-Roa was already married when she was introduced in “El Perro Gancho,” but she still became a major star who was partnered on the silver screen by the biggest male superstars—and is still being cast in TV series to this day.

In general, however, youth is very much of the essence in the highly competitive business of becoming and remaining a star, as this season’s teen faves, Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo, are proving all over again.

On the other hand, there are many examples that similarly prove that, if you’re really talented, the performing trade will make room for you, no matter how mature and therefore “over the hill” you are!

‘Selling factors’

Granted, when youth is no longer on your side, you have to find other “selling factors” in your personality and character makeup that will make you stand out.

For some talents, this could mean a radical shift in their evaluation of their plus factors as performers at this point in time.

Some talents waste too many years trying to make it as leading men—when they don’t really have the great looks needed for the job!

We remember a good actor who thought he should be playing lead roles, but producers disagreed with him because he had a receding chin. So, he languished in frustration—until in an act of “tough love,” a friend (yours truly) bluntly told him the painful truth.

After reacting very badly to the revelation (the truth does hurt!), our actor-friend very wisely opted to become a character actor instead, and he went on to play many roles and even won a best actor award!

Other prospective stars who don’t have the unusually good looks for lead roles have similarly done very well—as comedians!

The great thing about character actors and comedians is, they aren’t put out to pasture when they’ve lost their pluperfect looks—they just keep performing, even if they’re already in their 80s!

The “unsinkable” Eddie Garcia continues to show the way in this regard, inspiring other “old” performers to similarly realize that age is just a number. And that talent, like the best wine, is most deeply appreciated and savored after decades of enriching insights—and experience!