Standout TV-film ‘newbies’ strut their stellar stuff

Jennylyn Mercado (left) and Gil Cuerva

TV-film newcomers are making their big move for recognition and stardom this month—paced by model Gil Cuerva.

His initial claim to fame is his having been tapped, over many other tyros, to costar with no less than Jennylyn Mercado in the “localized” adaptation of the hit Korean series, “My Love from the Star.”

The still-untested “Star of Tomorrow” plays an alien who’s stranded on earth and falls in love with a lovely human (Jennylyn).

Jennylyn has been a star for over a decade now, so Gil has a lot of catching up to do, for fear of being left far, far behind.

But, we can expect Jennylyn to help him find his thespic sea legs as much as possible, or else their scenes together will look decidedly uneven—and mismatched.

To his credit, Gil looks exotic and “regional,” and has the height and long hair to stand out in the madding throng.

Looking at him, viewers can believe that he’s an extraterrestrial—kudos to the talent scouts who plucked him out of the crowd.

Let’s hope he can act, so their faith in his potential won’t be a case of wishful thinking!

While they’re at it, GMA 7’s starmakers should make sure that their hot, new property doesn’t just click as a fantasy-teleserye lead, but also serves notice that he has it in him to emerge as a versatile performer, for many different roles and reasons.

After all, this year’s TV fave is next year’s flash-in-the-pan, so keep the thespic surprises coming!

For her part, Adrienne Vergara has Jerrold Tarog’s “Bliss” to thank for her “overnight” success. In the initially controversial but ultimately acclaimed film, she plays Rose/Lilibeth, a nurse who gives the film’s main female protagonist, played by Iza Calzado, a lot of pain and grief.

Fact is, Adrienne is by no means an overnight sensation. She’s prepared herself for her big break for years, starting with her having been a scholar in the prestigious High School for the Arts on Mt. Makiling, where she focused on theater and acting.

Her preparation has paid off only now, but she has made such a vivid impression in “Bliss” that we expect her to get many more career-boosting assignments from here on in.

Before “Bliss,” Adrienne was also in “The Comeback” and in the TV series, “Calle Siete.” She was also a finalist in the Asian TV talent search, “HP Space,” which indicates that her vibrant and vivid appeal is not just for local viewers.

After waiting patiently in the relative dark for years, Adrienne has finally found her showcase, stellar pace and space to stretch her performing wings as far and wide as her unique combination of preparation, ambition and charisma can take her!