What Laurenti Dyogi can advise to next-gen stars: Kindness, professionalism matter

Laurenti Dyogi, head of Star Magic

Laurenti Dyogi is one of the pillars of ABS-CBN, producing some of the entertainment industry’s brightest stars. But apart from talent, the company’s Head of TV believes that kindness and professionalism are the traits that will help an aspiring star to succeed.

For Dyogi, next-generation stars and aspiring actors need to go through the process of being a star instead of shooting for instant fame — especially in the age of social media where many likes can define someone’s popularity.

“Ang importante sa’kin is ‘yung attitude and character. Willing ba siya dumaan sa proseso na matututo siya. Madali ba siyang matuto? Nakikinig ba siya? May grit ba siya? Hindi ‘yung porket nasabihan, titiklop na,” he said at a press conference for the youth series “Zoomers.”

“Maraming magaling pero mas gugustuhin ng producers ‘yung mabait at professional, at marunong makisama,” he stressed, while the show’s Gen Z cast intently listened to his words of wisdom.

(What’s important for me is the attitude and character. Are they willing to go through the process to learn? Can they keep up? Do they listen? Do they have the grit? They can’t just falter when they receive criticism. There are many talents out there, but producers want to work with someone who’s kind, professional, and knows how to get along with others.)

Despite the shifting trends in entertainment, Dyogi pointed out that being “grounded in the art of acting” is what matters most — contrary to the attention one can receive on social media.

“Ibang-iba ang context ng [entertainment] from pre-pandemic sa ngayon,” said Dyogi. “Naiba na ang utak at gusto [ng mga tao]. Tapos may social media. But iba pa rin ang groundedness ng art form ng pag-arte. Kailangan makatrabaho mo ‘yung real professionals: writers, directors, producers, and at the same time, real actors.”

(The context of entertainment from pre-pandemic to the present is different. People’s likes are now different. Social media also exists. But nothing compares to the groundedness of acting as an art form. They have to work with real professionals: writers, directors, producers, and at the same time, real actors.)

The ABS-CBN executive also asserted that the next-gen stars should embrace the process and learn from it while noting that failure is meant to be a redirection to something better.

“It’s really a process. It’s not about you. That’s a value we want to instill. It’s not easy to be cast. Just because you have a project, it doesn’t mean you’ll be cast immediately in the next project. You have to work for it. Especially now, your one-time opportunity can be your last opportunity,” he said.

“There’s no such thing as failure. The failure you perceive now is actually what leads you to something better. Having grit is important. We want to teach them to be more patient with the process, to enjoy the process, and to learn from the process,” he further explained.

The youth-oriented series is crafted to be a challenge for ABS-CBN’s next-gen stars which aims to reflect the problems they’re facing today.

Included in the cast are Harvey Bautista, Criza Taa, Analain Salvador, Ashton Salvador, Luke Alford, Ralph De Leon, Krystl Ball, Erika Davis, Luis Vera Perez, Kei Kurosawa, and Hadiyah Santos, just to name a few.