With humility comes the greatest star power

Okay, I won't disagree with the "Meteor Garden" fanatics out there! Your idol, Jerry Yan, is handsome. The ballroom of Waterfront Hotel in Lahug would not be filled with starstruck fans last Friday afternoon, if he didn't have the charm. He got the height, as well as the lean body and aquiline nose, which I like. I must add that he has a certain animalistic appeal, especially with his chinito eyes. Or maybe, it was because of the hair. Still and all, he has what it takes to be a print, ramp and commercial model.

Why did I say model? This is because in my opinion, Jerry Yan failed as a performer. He lacked showmanship and stage presence that I am wondering up to now why the fans from the Philippines and even those who came all the way from other Asian countries kept on screaming even if they did not understand any of the two songs he did. Jerry, who would wave intermittently, was most of the time just standing on stage.

Well, I went there out of curiosity. I wanted to understand what drives his fans to react so wildly, even by the mere mention of his name. And that was what I found out. He did not know how to flirt with the audience, by way of a sexy grind to go with his music, for example. So, I just sat there. Frankly, I would have screamed too if it were Dennis Trillo or Christian Bautista who performed; they who know how to tease the audience with facial expressions or gestures like a wink or a grind - a graceful one or not. You get what I mean? It is not being on stage that matters, but what you would do once you are up there.

Another thing, if Jerry Yan wants to make it even bigger in the entertainment world he must learn more of the English language. He can't tag along an interpreter all his life, nor bank on his looks alone. Beauty, as they say, changes or worse, fades, through time. But if there is one thing I love about him, it was his sense of humility. I've only watched him for 10 minutes, but I could tell he was a shy guy. I like him even more when he declared in halting English - "I'm nervous." I appreciate that most because it showed that he isn't eaten up yet by fame. I truly hope it was genuine and not rehearsed. For that, he would still go places even if he still lacks showmanship. Being true to oneself, especially when you are in showbiz, endears you more to the people.

Jerry Yan's mini-show brought to us by Bench, of which he is endorser, and ABS-CBN, was so brief. Live mannequins from the Models Association of Cebu (MAC) and of Marlon Wafer's, wearing Bench clothing and apparel, paraded on stage for a while. The backdrop - the face of Jerry enlarged and printed on a tarpaulin - was simple yet very elegant. After the fashion show, the Taiwanese star emerged, did two songs and then engaged Amy Perez in banter with the help of his interpreter - and then that was it. Prior to the fashion show, a music video featuring Jerry Yan and some publicity photos of him wearing bench shirts were shown. In totality, the show, based on the crowd turnout, was a huge success. Thank you so much Mr. Ben Chan for bringing Jerry Yan to Cebu.

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Speaking of humility, I can't help but point out how far our very own Jimmy Marquez has gone. Jimmy, our strongest bet to the second season of ABS-CBN's "Search for a Star in a Million" made it to last Sunday night's semifinals, making him an official finalist. By the looks of it, Jimmy is heading for big time if you'll base it on the jurors' reviews that night. Agot Isidro said, "You are very good." But the best comment I heard came from Direk Rowell Santiago, who after the final round, declared "You own the stage." Simply put, Jimmy delivered a sterling performance and displayed great stage presence. The stage is his home; it is where he belongs.

I first met Jimmy during my mass communication days at the University of San Jose-Recoletos. I was in my junior year and he was this dark and thin freshman who sported a semi-shaved head from Lutopan, Toledo City. But I did not know that we belonged to the same department, not until he made his debut performance as new member of Madam Mila Espina's USJR Dramatics and Cultural Ensemble sometime in 1998. I don't remember anymore the song he performed, but one thing was certain, I already knew then that he has the potential to make it big. His voice then was not yet very captivating, but he was already oozing with stage presence.

Jimmy and I never got close. He belonged to the world of campus figures, while I was just an ordinary student. I harbored reservations toward him because I thought he was like other dramatics members, who were very proud of themselves to the point of being boastful, just because they made it to that elite group. The very talented Anna Fegi was a member, but she was very humble, unlike others, who assumed they were popular, and yet became flashes in the pan.

That was the situation then. I misjudged Jimmy despite the assurance of my good friend and member of the group, Ezra Cutas, that Jimmy was very "buotan." I only conceded when Jimmy and I met at a birthday party two years ago. He was late, but I was shocked when he was the first to greet me, even addressing me by my nickname. I could not remember any occasion, in which we were introduced before. He said something like he knew me through Ezra. Gosh! That was when I told myself that Jimmy is, indeed, "buotan," not airy at all and easy to get along with. That time he was already sporting long, curly hair and was slowly making a name in the local entertainment circuit. Then there was a second meeting and still, he was the first to recognize me that I was more than convinced he did not have star complex. The next thing I heard he left for Manila with a band, while others said he worked for a call center.

When I learned that he made it to the 30 semi-finalists in the ABS-CBN search, I was so happy. The humble and good person that he is, Jimmy should go a long way so that he could influence others to keep their feet on the ground despite fame. Ezra described Jimmy in a text message to me yesterday as "funny, he lights up a boring crowd, is talented, sensible and loyal. "Loyal to dramatics and to his friends. Loyalty is important sa dramatics kay scholar gud ka so no-no gyud if there are gig offers from outside. He devoted all his college years to dramatics, then accepted offers only after he graduated."

With that kind of loyalty, Jimmy is now a star even if the grand finals is yet to come. Good luck Jimmy. I have confidence in your talent. There is a bright future beaming at you already. Pray always because it's the greatest weapon so as to come out victorious. Always remember God because without Him, you are nothing.

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Catch GMA-7's talent Valerie Concepcion at Gaisano Main 6:30pm and Gaisano Countrymall at 7pm this Friday, July 22 for the weekend sale promo. Let's see how she is after she left the limelight after she got pregnant and now that she's back in showbiz. She can be seen on "Now and Forever" and "3R."

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Do you have tickets to the Ogie Alcasid concert with special guest Regine Velasquez at the Cebu Coliseum at 6pmon July 30? Buy your tickets at your nearest M.Lhuillier pawnshop outlet at P150, P100, P75 and P50 only. Yes that cheap because this is the company's way of giving back to their loyal patrons. In fact, it's titled "Best by Request" because customers were given the chance to request what song they want Ogie to perform that night.

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