They’ve got ‘K’

Thanks to the readers who commented favorably on our “J Stars” article last Dec. 12.

One of them came up with the idea of extending the “alphabetical” listing into a series. I don’t know about that, but I was planning to do a similar list of female stars and starlets with first names beginning with the letter “K”—so let’s do it now, why don’t we? Let’s title this follow-up piece, “They’ve got ‘K!’”

Right off the bat, that title delimits our “K” comers to young women who have the required “karapatan” or chops to make it in show business. They are led by KC Concepcion, who has established herself as a versatile and even award-winning actress, who hasn’t relied on her being certified show biz “royalty” to stake out her rightful place in the sun.

She’s bothered to learn not just how to act but also to sing and dance—and even perform acrobatic stunts way up in the air!

—That last talent strikes us as a bit extreme and even dangerous, so we want to vigorously persuade her that she doesn’t have to go that far!

More to the point, while we’ve cited KC’s performances through the years, we get the feeling that she has yet to give performing her undivided attention—which could help explain why she isn’t really “there” yet. We hope that, starting in 2016, she learns how to really focus, so she becomes the big and bankable star she deserves to be.

For her part, Kathryn Bernardo is popular due to her love team with Daniel Padilla—despite the inroads being made by the Kim-Xian, Liza-Enrique and James-Nadine tandems. The key question, however, is when Kathryn will be able to play a role without Daniel for her leading man.

Kim Chiu is already popular on her own, and with her romantic partner Xian Lim. She’s enjoying the perks of stardom even as she’s becoming more mature in her choice of roles, but her thin speaking voice continues to limit her believability, particularly in nongiddy roles. We hope for her sake that she belatedly realizes that this is a nonnegotiable issue for female stars who want to be taken seriously as actresses.

Kylie Padilla is the youngest “K” star on our list, but she has a bright future ahead of her as a lovely actress-dancer—and not just because she’s Robin Padilla’s “princess.” Her sultry beauty and spirited performances would be even more universally appreciated if she’s given better and more challenging roles.

Karel Marquez is another “may K” talent who isn’t being given the attention and importance she deserves. She’s an exceptional singer and actress, so where are the roles and shows that will bring those exceptional gifts triumphantly to the fore?

In the field of music, talent tilt winner KZ Tandingan is charting her unique stellar course as a singer-rapper. She’s transformed the way she looks—but her handlers should come up with the right follow-up projects.

Ditto for Klarisse de Guzman who may not have topped the singing tilt she joined, but has impressed viewers with her exceptional singing voice.