5 young talents seize the spotlight
PEOPLE who bewail the lack of fresh and outstanding performers on the local performing scene should attend auditions for talents for new musical-theater productions.
Just this month, we experienced a renewed burst of optimism as we listened to the acapella auditions of scores of singers, five of whom we’re pleased to showcase here, in the hope of giving their career prospects a well-deserved boost:
Ellrica Laguardia
Rica has the whole package—looks, height, personality, charisma, good work ethic—to make it in the biz. Born in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, she now lives in Valenzuela City, and has performed in productions mounted by Gantimpala, Expedition Theater and the Valenzuela City Center for the Performing Arts.
MANGAHIS,LOZANO, LAGUARDIA, FALCON AND ABRAHAM. They’re going places.
In “Florante at Laura,” she played Laura; in “Beauty and the Beast,” she was Belle; in “Mga Awit ng Adarna,” she was the Ibong Adarna—talk about being trusted with key roles early in one’s career! Obviously, Rica’s career prospects as a singer, dancer and actor are especially bright.
Mavi Lozano
Still a relative newbie in the biz, Mavi has the looks, height and genes to make it (Elaine Carriedo is his mom). A TV5 talent, he’s been in films like “When I Met You” and “Sa Ngalan ng Ama” (as the young Jomari Yllana), and on many TV shows, including his present stints on “Bangis,” and “Hey, It’s Saberdey.” Not just a handsome face and hunky bod, he really wants to become a good, committed performer.
MANGAHIS,LOZANO, LAGUARDIA, FALCON AND ABRAHAM. They’re going places.
Astarte Abraham
Edru’s her dad, so how can Astarte go wrong? On her own, she’s trained herself to become an exceptional all-around talent
—and she’s interested in arts education for children, to boot.
She’s been directed by estimable mentors, and has performed extensively abroad with the Kontra-Gapi ensemble. Obviously a committed and versatile talent, Astarte has played a wide variety of roles in productions like “Himala, The Musical” and “St. Louis Loved Dem Filipinos.”
Anthony Falcon
He’s been mentored by the likes of Jose Estrella and Ana Valdes Lim, taken workshops with Tess Jamias, Maricar Aragon and Ron Burns, and has performed in productions like “Twelfth Night,” “Bombita” and “The Crucible”—so, he’s clearly done his homework. P.S.: He’s got a perfect set of pearly teeth, just waiting for toothpaste commercial!
Christine Joy Mangahis
MANGAHIS,LOZANO, LAGUARDIA, FALCON AND ABRAHAM. They’re going places.
Another well-trained, all-around talent, she’s acted for GMA 7, MZet Productions, Gantimpala, a number of short films, and commercials, and will soon appear in an ABS-CBN primetime series—so, she’s obviously going places.
Even better, her looks and talent are further enhanced by her commitment to keep learning and come up with increasingly improved performances as she gains more experience and exposure. —What more could producers and directors want?
