‘It factor’ not enough: Starmaker Mr. M says aspiring artists must be media-savvy

From left: Saviour Ramos, Caitlyn Stave, Raheel Byria, Vanessa Peña, Sean Lucas, Vince Maristela, Tanya Ramos, Roxie Smith, Anjay Ansay, Lauren King, Kim Perez, Dilek Montemayor, Larkin Castor, Jeff Moses, Cheska Fausto, Kirsten Gonzales and Michael Sager

Handpicked by renowned starmaker Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan, Sparkle’s newest batch of aspiring stars possess not only good looks, talent and the “it factor,” but also media-savvy—an increasingly valuable asset in the digital entertainment age.

“I saw ‘it’ in these people … They’re also representative of their generation because they’re media-savvy,” Mr. M said in the recent virtual launch of “Sparkada,” which is composed of 17 fresh faces who could very well become the future of GMA’s prime-time offerings.

Social media following

“Most of them already have a strong social media following. They’re already celebrities in their own spheres and rights. Sparkle is here to magnify it and make them even bigger stars,” Mr. M added.

The up-and-coming talents, Mr. M related, went through a series of auditions and intense workshops to prepare them “for the limelight.”

“There were auditions … three to four go-sees. And little by little, you start to see and appreciate their special qualities. They also went through a quorum of judges, who also participated in the process,” Mr. M said. “All of them have a certain ‘it factor.’ You don’t know what it is, but it makes them unique, interesting and attractive … Of course, they’re all young, fun and exciting.”

Sparkada boys (standing, from left): Vince Maristela, Raheel Byria, Larkin Castor, Jeff Moses, Sean Lucas, Saviour Ramos, Kim Perez, Anjay Ansay and Michael Sager Sparkada girls (seated, from left): Caitlyn Stave, Vanessa Peña, Roxie Smith, Dilek Montemayor and Kirsten Gonzales, Cheska Fausto, Lauren King, Tanya Ramos.

Nine boys and eight girls comprise the Sparkada. They are:

Roxie Smith, 22, is a ballerina, stage actress and a beauty queen.

“I realized I wanted to be an actress when I was younger. Back then, if I was having a bad day, I would watch a drama series upon getting home. And that puts me in a good mood. That’s the kind of joy an actor can give. It’s like an act of service,” said Roxie, who earned the Miss Earth-Water title in 2020. “And I want to live a life of service by making people happy through acting.”

Cheska Fausto, 21, is a content creator who dabbles in theater and pageants. “We underwent training, workshops every day—acting, singing, communication. We’re thankful for the training that we need to be prepared for the job,” she said. Vanessa Peña, 17, was discovered on TikTok. “My mom loves seeing me perform. And it’s overwhelming when I see her happy,” she said. “I would love to try doing lead, ‘api’ roles.”

Kirsten Gonzales, 18, has appeared in commercials for well-known brands. “I have been dreaming of this for so long. My family has been nothing but supportive. Having a good support system drives me to pursue a career in acting and do whatever I love,” she said.

Caitlyn Stave, 17, was born and raised in San Francisco, United States, and recently moved to Bukidnon province, where she became a local pageant favorite, and later on, a social media influencer. “I’m a team player … and I see myself as funny, witty and charismatic,” she said.

Dilek Montemayor, 23, is a Turkish-Filipino hopeful who has starred in several television commercials. She also has a degree in aeronautical engineering and can speak four languages. “I love learning new things. I’m open to challenges and feedback which can help me improve,” she said. “I want to be part of a teleserye, perhaps a fantasy drama, and play lead roles.”

Tanya Ramos, 15, is Wendell Ramos’ daughter and has her sights on becoming a dramatic actress. “My father influenced me to enter show biz, but told me that the decision is mine. I grabbed the opportunity,” she said. “My father tells me that if I want my career to last, then I have to take my job seriously.”

Lauren King, 14, started modeling when she was 3 and was a contestant in the Little Miss Philippines pageant on “Eat Bulaga!” “I was inspired by the show ‘Hi-5’ when I was kid, and I would practice acting by myself. My mom saw me and encouraged me to go on auditions,” she related. “She’s so proud of me and I’m happy because I get to pursue my dreams with her.”

Saviour Ramos, 22, is also Wendell’s child. Aside from acting, Saviour is also into music and has so far released three singles.

Anjay Anson, 19, has already appeared in a couple of Kapuso shows, including the prime-time suspense series “Widows’ Web.” “I’m a hardworking person who wants to be challenged. I’m also curious. I want to take on lead roles in dramas,” Anjay said. “I have been attending workshops and I want to see where my skills can take me.”

Jeff Moses, 22, has built a considerable following on TikTok, where he uploads dance videos and song covers.

Michael Sager, 19, hails from Vancouver, Canada, and recently moved to the Philippines to pursue his dream of becoming an actor. He has appeared as a backup dancer in the Disney musical film “Descendants.” “I know that I will work hard and put in the time and effort,” he said.

Kim Perez, 23, is a commercial model who’s also into music. “I want to be known as a good actor. My idol is John Lloyd Cruz, whose performances are always convincing. Maybe I can dance and sing, too, if given the chance to learn,” he said. “I still have a lot to learn. Training should be continuous.”

Larkin Castor, 20, is a commercial model, basketball player and golfer. He’s passionate about singing and playing the guitar.

Sean Lucas, 18, is a graduate of Philippine Science High School whose goal is to become an industrial engineer and a romantic comedy leading man. “Everything has been happening quickly. It feels overwhelming,” he said. “Mental preparation is also important. And they helped us get in the right mind-set.”

Vince Maristela, 21, used to play younger versions of lead male characters on television. Now, he’s hoping to land his first main role. “I adapt to change well and I don’t choose who I work with. Given the opportunity I would like to try romantic comedies because I think they fit my personality,” he said.

Raheel Byria, 20, is a model-athlete, who’s dubbed by the network as a potential “show biz heartthrob.” “Pressure will always be here, but I really like being challenged. So I’m going to give my all and show my fighting spirit,” he said.