CEBU, Philippines - Will the Cebuano kid hopeful outshine them all and emerge as the country’s next child sensation?
The family and followers of six-year-old Lukas Enrique Suarez Magallano from Barangay Mabolo are certainly hoping so, as ABS-CBN’s The Promil I-Shine Talent Camp is set to announce the grand prize kiddie winner in its concluding episode this Saturday, July 28, 9:30 a.m.
Dubbed as the “Acoustic Kid of Cebu,” the precocious tot is one of the finalists for the reality talent show among children ages three to seven years old. He is the sole finalist from the Visayas region.
His proud dad, Luther Michael, visited The FREEMAN office last Monday to call on Cebuanos, through this paper, to vote for his talented boy by texting ISHINE LUKAS to 2366. The text votes will be a big help in fast-tracking Lukas’ chances of victory, since the criteria for judging are 60 percent for performance in workshops (singing, dancing, hosting and acting) and 40 percent text votes. A maximum of 30 text votes per mobile number will be accepted until 8 a.m. this Saturday, which is when voting will officially close.
According to Luther, his son is the lone grand finalist who is a first-timer in kiddie talent competitions. He did not expect Lukas to come this far, because their audition at Parkmall in Mandaue last April was done on a whim.
“We just went to the mall to buy a gift since we were attending a birthday party. Once inside, we saw a stage set-up and there were people inviting kids to audition for I-Shine. I told Lucas to try, and he did,” Luther recounts.
From 50 semi-finalists scoured nationwide, the number was pared down to 20, and then whittled down to the lucky 12 I-Shiners.
Through the guidance of Star Magic, the kids’ innate talents were honed through activities and fun workshops led by celebrity mentors. These included a dancing workshop with John Prats, wherein he taught the kids to groove and project on the dance floor. Karylle took charge of the singing workshop; Luis Manzano shared his hosting know-how, while directors Bobot Mortiz and his son Frasco Mortiz taught them the art of acting.
Luther shares that despite these many activities, Lukas showed no signs of his energy dwindling. This was because Lukas is determined to learn and win, he says. “Other than his physical gifts, Lukas is a quick-learner and is very coachable. In fact, he got passing scores in all of the workshops. Fuelled by his desire to win, we’re sure he’s willing to work harder than the rest,” adds Luther.
Among the prizes that await the winner is a talent contract from Star Magic and Promil Pre-School, plus P500,000 in cash.
Lukas is up against these other wonder kids with shining strengths of their own: Ayeisiah, the “Kiddie Diva of Olongapo”, Prince, the “Dance Floor Ace of Manila”, Althea, the “Born Kiddie Performer” of Manila, Gabby, the “Bibo Dancer of Parañaque”, Ella, the “Singing Idol of Davao”, Charls, the “Prince of Acting of Caloocan”, Icon, the “Dancing Icon of Marikina”, Patricia, the “Dancing Charmer of Antipolo”, JC, the “Acting Gem of Taguig”, Jake, the “Total Kid Performer of Makati”, and Justine, the “Dance Floor Prince of Laguna”.
The Promil I-Shine Talent Camp is hosted by Kapamilya stars Dimples Romana, Matteo Guidicelli and Xian Lim.