Local show biz is so crowded with “old” stars and droves of new hopefuls that there simply aren’t enough big, mainstream stellar projects and starmaking vehicles to go around.
It’s time, therefore, for stars and starlets looking for attention-calling showcases to create their own stellar showcases, by way of indie productions and/or stage plays and musicals.
Why wait for offers from “the majors,” which may come too late, or never?
Production costs have gone down drastically, so “self-producing” has become affordable for talents in search of unexpected hits that will further shine up their stellar glow—or make new stars out of long-frustrated starlets. Our specific suggestions:
Jana Agoncillo, the child star of “Ningning” on TV (and “Dream Dad” two years ago), has already proven her talent and popular appeal—so, before she gets older and consequently less precociously appealing, her handlers and fans should think up and bankroll a really special film vehicle for her. Next year would probably be too late.
Even more audaciously, the same thing should happen to even younger Simon Pineda, the streetwise tyke who’s currently stealing the show on the “Ang Probinsyano” TV series.
Many viewers find him cute and ornery at the same time—a rare combination of qualities that makes Simon quite unique.
Unfortunately, it’s a uniqueness that could quickly pall, due to being “pushed” too much for effect, which is what’s happening now on the show.
Simon sometimes comes across as too streetsmart and sassy to be really fresh and endearing, so more judicious and selective directorial “framing” of this potential child star is decidedly in order.
Beyond that, we would like to suggest to Simon’s handlers and mentors that they should come up with a good indie starrer for him on the big screen, because time is of the essence when it comes to “overnight sensations” like him.
Remember how strongly Niño Muhlach came across when he costarred as a kid in carefully crafted costarrers with Fernando Poe Jr. and Dolphy? The same could happen to Simon if his mentors are similarly swift and savvy.
Speaking of Niño, he’s now the proud daddy of another rising child talent, Alonzo Muhlach—who also needs a crafty boost in his own career, while the boosting is good!
Alonzo’s first TV outings were great, but some of his recent TV guestings have been less focused and diverting, so he needs help now, before he fritters his initial advantage away.
We usually don’t like pairing father and son talents in the same project, because one usually ends up overshadowing the other.
In the Muhlachs’ case, however, we think that an exception can be made, because Niño and Alonzo are so “visually copacetic” with one another that their rare synergy should be showcased in an indie film—before Alonzo gets bigger and older.
The move could be advantageous for Niño, as well. We’ve always felt that, as an adult star, he shouldn’t be put up on a shelf because he still has a lot to offer—so his projected film with his “mini-me” could be a great move for his career, too.
Other stars and starlets who should benefit from indie showcases this season include KC Concepcion, Ian Veneracion, Andre Paras, Pepe Herrera, Valeen Montenegro, Malou de Guzman, Gloria Romero and Epy Quizon.