Star Magic on a roll at 25

“ASAP” Coverboys, namely (from left) Luis Hontiveros, Tanner Mata, Albie Casiño, Tommy Esguerra and Clint Bondad

Patience and enduring love,” said Johnny Manahan, were the two most important values he learned in the 25 years he had spent developing and nurturing the talents of Star Magic.

Manahan, or Mr. M as he is fondly called, founded this training and management subsidiary of ABS-CBN with former network president Freddie M. Garcia on May 12, 1992.

Part of its yearlong silver anniversary celebration is a special two-part episode of “ASAP” featuring the top artists of Star Magic. The first edition aired last Sunday; the second, on May 28.

Manahan revealed that the most common problem encountered by Star Magic was dealing with the conflict between its talents’ “career and love life.”

From left: Joseph Marco, Jessy Mendiola, Daniel Matsunaga and Arci Muñoz —PHOTOS BY ALEXIS CORPUZ

“As for choosing projects, we tell the artists to listen to us,” he added. “If they prefer not to, then we say, ‘Good luck! Maybe we’ll pick you up on your way down.’”

ABS-CBN PR manager Thess Gubi said the aim of organizing several events for Star Magic throughout the year was “to pay it forward.”

“We wouldn’t be where we are now if not for the people we’ve worked with, particularly those who were behind the cameras and the fans who supported our artists,” she said.

Kapamilya top acts Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban, Toni Gonzaga and Jericho Rosales led the concert held last Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The crowd, estimated at 10,000, screamed at the sight of their favorite love teams, such as LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil), Elnella (Janella Salvador and Elmo Magalona), Joshlia (Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia), KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) and Kimerald (Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson).

Among those who performed were the “ASAP BFF 5” namely Maris Racal, Andrea Brillantes, Ylona Garcia, Kira Balinger and Loisa Andalio, and the “ASAP” Coverboys namely Albie Casiño, Tanner Mata, Luis Hontiveros, Tommy Esguerra and Clint Bondad.

Comediennes Pokwang, Maymay Entrata and Alora Sasam shared their life stories in the segment “ASAP LSS (Love Songs and Stories),” where young Star Magic artists sang alongside Angeline Quinto, Yeng Constantino and Jolina Magdangal.

“Wildflower” star Maja Salvador performed in a dance number with Star Magic kids and the next generation of on-screen partners Nash Aguas and Alexa Ilacad, Grae Fernandez and Andrea Brillantes,
Bailey May and Ylona Garcia, and McCoy de Leon and Elisse Joson.

Angelica Panganiban presented a comedy skit, along with other Star Magic comedians John Lapus, Chokoleit, Ketchup Eusebio, Jason Gainza, Janus del Prado and Kitkat.

The show ended with the launch of Alco Guerrero’s music video of the Star Magic theme song, “Ikaw ang Magic ng Buhay Ko,” composed by JV Kapunan with lyrics by J. Lukban.

John Lloyd Cruz

Piolo Pascual

Sam Milby

Jericho Rosales

Julia Barretto