Standout child talents should get the stellar film showcases they deserve—before it’s too late

SIMON Pineda as Onyok

Some years ago, sharp-eyed producers and directors spotted a number of precociously gifted kids, and gave them thespic showcases that endeared them to the viewing public.

The next step was clear: since the talented and charismatic tykes had become popular on TV, they should be given starmaking movie vehicles to consolidate their gains, before they became too old to materialize.

So, some really promising child talents are now in danger of looking too old to make it big as certified juvenile talents, and may have to wait for the tween and teen “chapters” in their careers. Talk about missed stellar opportunities!

Happily, while the most promising child talents are growing older before our very eyes, it’s still not too late to come up with starmaking film showcases for them—if those vehicles are shown next year.

We’re talking about proven, standout kiddie comers like Jana Agoncillo, Alonzo Muhlach, Xia Vigor, Marco Masa, Xymon Pineda—and (fingers crossed) Xyriel Manabat.

We add that iffy caveat, because the uncommonly gifted Xyriel has been waiting for years for her big movie break. So, we hope that it comes by next year at the latest, so she can still take advantage of its starmaking power.

As for Jana, Xia, Alonzo and company, they still pass muster as child wonders, so their handlers should get cracking on their respective film showcases by next year.
Their launching films don’t have to be expensive, they can be indie productions that can even be selfproduced, as long as they’re exceptionally good and attention-calling movies.

In addition, they must give their “intended” child stars really striking and challenging roles, to “prove” their thespic mettle—and their “K” to become bright, new stars in the biz.

For pointers on how to pull this off, child talents’ handlers and “momagers” can look into how Vilma Santos first made it as a child star, via “Trudis Liit.”

Her role was so affecting that she got the viewing public’s sympathy and love—and she’s still a superstar to this day, more than 50 years after the fact!

In Niño Muhlach and Aiza Seguerra’s cases, they became child stars even younger—at only age 3 or 4—and their route was via TV. Niño first clicked as Ariel Ureta’s chatty sidekick, while Aiza’s TV vehicle was “Eat Bulaga’s” Little Miss Philippines tilt.

In both instances, what made them stand out over the teeming kiddie throng was their unique ability to adlib comments on anything and everything, which they came up with so naturally and wittily that viewers were disarmed—to this day!

Since each new child talent is unique, his or her launching movie will have to be tailor-made for each prospective child star’s specific combination of strengths and plus factors.

That’s a difficult mix to discern and showcase—but, if their handlers are savvy enough, the benefits to be reaped will boost the young talents’ career—for the long term.