Niño Muhlach mentors lookalike son

ALONZO

Recently, we thought our eyes were playing tricks on us when we switched to ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda” and saw new child star, Alonzo Muhlach, being featured.

What made the feature so unique was the fact that Alonzo was interacting with cohost Ariel Ureta—the very same TV host who, decades ago, gave Alonzo’s dad, Niño Muhlach, his big TV break! Since Alonzo is his dad’s veritable carbon copy, the “flashback” link was charged with nostalgic overload—and déjà vu significance.

If memory serves, the then 3-year-old Niño made a big impression on viewers when Ariel encouraged him to ad-lib in offhand conversations with him on TV. Niño had a precocious knack for chattering away about this and that in a delightfully natural way—and, before anybody knew it, he was getting movie offers—and a child superstar was born!

Niño is now mentoring his lookalike son on his ascent to stardom, and his efforts are turning out to be very successful. Alonzo is a scene stealer on “Inday Bote,” and is reported to be costarring with “Dream Dad’s” find, Jana Agoncillo, in a film.

On point of talent, Alonzo acquits himself well in scripted scenes. If Niño keeps him from getting swellheaded, he should do very well, indeed. There’s a good chance of that happening because, thanks to his own father’s wise handling of his huge income as a child superstar, Niño ended up with a small fortune. All Niño has to do is recall what his father did and apply it to Alonzo’s fledgling career—and they’ll be A-OK!