Rich, a "survivor" before and after "StarStruck"

Fellow "StarStruck: The Next Level" survivors believe that even if Rich Asuncion wouldn't emerge a winner in the final judgment tonight of the latest edition of GMA 7's pioneering search for the next big thing in showbiz, there's no stopping the dusky Boholana beauty from finding her spot under the bright lights.

According to Jewel Mische in a recent interview with The FREEMAN, "I can really see it in her that she's a survivor. Even if she won't win, I believe she'll still make it."

One telling episode perhaps was her amazing comeback via the return-of-the-avengers twist, wherein the playing field was leveled with a series of challenges that afforded eliminated contenders a chance to fight for a spot in the top 6. "I never expected it! I was ready to go home back to Bohol. I already prepared myself mentally and emotionally that I would be eliminated that night. I was so happy when they included me," said the 18-year-old Rich.

Rich shared with The FREEMAN how the pressure and preparation has built up since then. "Walay tulog halos everyday because of rehearsals." But Rich revealed this not with a weary expression but with a smile. And that's because she has made bigger sacrifices than the scarcity of shut-eye before.

Rich said that her main motivation for joining StarStruck has been her family. The eldest of four siblings, her papa works as a messenger, driver and janitor, while her mama is a fish vendor. With the biz nowadays cashing in on the almost uniform sob stories of newbies-from broken families to absent parents-Rich doesn't try to seek sympathy for her humble situation. She hopes that hers will come across instead as an inspiration-you know, even if you don't have everything in life, it doesn't mean you can't be happy.

"I've always been proud of my background. I haven't held back anything. [After all] my family is complete and happy. [We may not be] financially well-off, but my life is not complicated," declared Rich, who, out of her P4,000 weekly allowance from the show, sends more of it to her family than what she leaves for herself and other necessities.

Because of her articulateness, not to mention her 5'7 beauty queen frame, the question whether she would consider joining Bb. Pilipinas is inevitable.

Rich is not a stranger to beauty pageants. While she admitted that she enjoys StarStruck much more than beauty pageants ("I like reality shows because I can be myself. And I'm pretty much still childish. Unlike in beauty pageants, you have to be graceful all the time and you have to act formal"), she declared that winnings from the latter actually paid for her two years of tertiary education.

"After fourth year high school (at Tagbilaran City Science High School) I was so desperate on how to send myself to college because I knew my parents' income wasn't enough to fend for us all. But God is so good. Wa jud ko niya gi-biyaan. He gave me opportunities to help support myself."

In one pageant, she won a one-year scholarship that took care of her entire freshman year at Holy Name University, where she was taking up Psychology.

After a schoolyear, she would face yet again the dilemma of supporting herself through sophomore year. "Ni-anhi ko ug Cebu, ni-apply ko ug call center. I also applied as a flight attendant. But I was turned down in both occasions because I was underage. I was only 17," she revealed.

She would eventually compete and win another pageant, and one of the pageant's sponsors paid for her studies.

When StarStruck came, her purpose for joining was questioned since her schooling was already on track and taken cared of.

"Ako na pud gihunahuna akong manghod. I will really send them to school," said Rich, adding that if she wins tonight, she would immediately invest in scholarships and apportion seed money for a business venture for her parents.

Of course, Rich declared that being part of StarStruck is also living a dream. "I joined also because I want to fulfill myself since I know I have talents to share."

"Since pagka-bata pa nako, I've always been an entertaining person. I like to dance, sing, and act," said Rich. "I think in terms of dancing, I am at an advantage over the others. I've never been in any workshop before, but I can be at par with other survivors in terms of talents."

Indeed, with that fighting spirit, Rich is already a winner. - NMT