Quirks in search for the next big stars

ASPIRANTS wait for instructions at the start of the South Luzon tryouts at SM in Batangas City.

From a sea of pretty faces, one or two quirky wannabes inevitably stand out—the fire dancer who can literally set the stage ablaze, or the 7-year-old singing sensation who unfortunately can’t make it  because the qualifying age range is 13 to 21.

As in all tryouts for reality shows, a motley crew showed up for GMA 7’s “Protégé.”

For its second season, the program’s team is looking for an “all-around talent.”

This time, the Kapuso network is putting a premium on looks, too, admitted Darling de Jesus, GMA 7 assistant vice president for Entertainment TV.

Physical allure and singing and dancing skills are more

important than sob stories, De Jesus clarified.

As expected, the auditions were again swamped with the usual array of starry-eyed aspirants who want to save their families from abject poverty.

“One contestant from Davao traveled 12 hours by boat to

Cebu,” De Jesus recounted. “Problem was, she didn’t anticipate that she’d get through to the second round. She only brought one set of clothes.”

As early as the first round, audition masters Joji Dingcong and Arsi Baltazar had a clear idea of what they were looking for.

Said Baltazar: “We want to discover the next Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes and Aljur Abrenica.”

During the Manila leg at the SM Mall of Asia, Baltazar spotted some promising aspirants.

Intangible

“I’m waiting for someone with that elusive ‘X’ factor,” said Dingcong. “The last time I felt that excitement was when I saw Derek Ramsay and Piolo Pascual for the first time. A star is someone who can fill up the entire room with his or her mere presence.”

For Dingcong, the very definition of star power is Vilma Santos. “It’s intangible but we, talent managers, recognize a star when we see one.”

Mentor Roderick Paulate, who’s in charge of Metro Manila contestants, told the Inquirer: “I am looking for a boy and girl (there will be two winners this year) who have not only the talent, but the determination to work and win.”

Gina Alajar, the mentor assigned to South Luzon, said she was searching for “the total package—someone who can sing, dance and, most of all, act.”

Paulate explained that, as mentor, “I will help the kids bring out their best, enhance their potentials and improve their innate talent.”

Alajar added that the “Protégé” production team had a training program in the works, which she hoped to complement with her own teaching strategy. “I already have people in mind who can help me package my Protégé.”

Tormentors?

North Luzon mentor Ricky Davao suggested taking his contestants to the set of “Makapiling Kang Muli,” the prime time series that he directs, “so they can observe and learn acting first-hand.”

Alajar plans to give her contestants a tour of the set of “Luna Blanca,” a prime time soap where she’s one of the lead stars.

Paulate and Alajar are still unsure whether they’ll end up as “tormentors” in their new roles in “Protégé.”

“I’m not sure if I’ll be strict,” Paulate said. “Maybe I’ll be a disciplinarian if the kid is not focused on the goal.”

Alajar concurred: “I will be strict if needed. My reaction will depend on how they will perform.”

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