Meet the new kids on the block

As the year draws to a close, tinseltown is again bubbling with many possibilities. The annual film festival has spawned excitement and lifted the spirits of the industry people to new heights. Television has never been this busy with a flood of soap operas and the launch of new programs. Even theater is alive and well.

Here are five newcomers who might just make it big in the coming year. An aspiring theater star. A brave bold actor. A future diva. A heartthrob hopeful. A boy band redefined. Let’s get to know if they’ve got what it takes. – China Cojuangco

Coming from a high-profile family, it is understandable if doors in the entertainment business will open widely for China to come in. But the very simple young lady has opted to take the usual route of taking it one small step at a time.

After getting a degree in Wholistic Human Development and Management, China tried teaching pre-schoolers but the lure of theater was too strong. For her to have a strong chance to land a singing role, she took her voice lessons seriously.

We caught China blending very well with the rest of the ensemble during the Musicat Music fund-raising concert at the CCP recently.

She didn’t mind her small participation, saying, "They’ve become my friends, I like what we’re doing and I don’t have grand ambitions to play lead right away when I feel I’m not yet ready."

But this holiday season, China plays Virgin Mary in a small musical billed He Came Upon A Manger, a retelling of the classic Christmas story set in contemporary mode and music.

She shares that she was first offered the role of a camel, but after the script was revised, she was accelerated to lead female role. "It’s wonderful doing this musical, specially for the mall-goers this Christmas," she adds.

Playing opposite China is Lee Robin Salazar as Joseph and Jeffrey Quizon is the Angel Alain. The 45-minute musical will be exclusively presented in all the Ayala malls in Metro Manila and Cebu all weekends of December prior to Christmas Day. – Dante Balboa

There’s a new face in the bold circuit and his profile is pretty interesting. The screen name may sound like that of a boxer’s but Dante Balboa is a professional ramp model, an Architecture graduate who is completing his second degree in Film Studies at the University of the Philippines.

He tells us that his fervent dream of becoming an actor led him to the Seiko Films headquarters, the country’s premier bold movie production outfit. "I guess there’s nothing wrong with wanting to become a bold actor. Bold doesn’t only mean baring; it can also mean brave, courageous, and aggressive," he says.

Now in his mid twenties, Balboa strikes us as a natural go-getter. He says that he’s worked so hard to pump up his physique before taking a crack at stardom. "I’m so happy I was given a major role right away for my very first film, and I look forward to more meaty roles in the future."

He adds he has no qualms taking off everything, if it means a faster route to get to leading man status. In Balboa’s debut movie Kasiping, insiders say his co-star Diana Zubiri would blush everytime Balboa bares. – Tex Ordoñez

Watch out for this girl because she can eat the so-called fledging divas alive. Tex is the latest great find in the local music circuit and her voice is touted as the one to really reckon with.

She’ll be launched in grand fashion early next year when the Manila production of the classic Broadway hit Dreamgirls is staged. Tex spent two years with the Tanghalang Pilipino Theater Company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines to learn the discipline, focus and precision of theater.

Now, Tex thinks she’s ready to explore other avenues in honing her talent. That’s why she’s dipping her fingers on TV and in the live entertainment scene. "Theater will always be my first love. It was where I first built my confidence. I will always go back to it when a good role comes along."

Tex considers herself extremely lucky because in a matter of only three weeks’ time, she was able to share the stage with the country’s top male artists. She was given her solo spot and got to sing a duet with Martin Nievera during the last day of his highly-successful Onstage series. Ogie Alcasid, whom she has worked with in theater, chose Tex to be his special guest in his two-night show at the Tavern on the Square recently.

She just finished recording the theme song for Regal Entertainment’s filmfest entry Mano Po with Gary Valenciano, a hauntingly beautiful love song composed by Von de Guzman.

When the key production executives of ABS-CBN heard Tex’s demo, they were floored by her brilliant vocal range so they lost no time in signing her up for an important role in the top-rating evening soap Bituin. Tex will play the role of Violet and she will get to showcase both her singing and acting prowess. On the works is a recording deal with Star Records. – Coco Martin

What do you get when you put together the names of Coco Lee and Ricky Martin? Perhaps that’s what the people behind new male starlet Coco Martin had in mind when they were scouting for a screen name for their ward. Whatever the case, the name must have worked since Coco has been getting one job after another.

He’s being introduced in Agimat, intended for the coming festival. Although he only gets small exposure, his participation in the movie is enough to keep him hopeful and excited over the prospects of being a future heartthrob.

"I’d like to finish my studies first before going full time. I like my pacing now, dividing my time between show business and school," he says. In the next few months, Coco will be seen in a minor role in the coming GMA 7 afternoon drama series Hawak Ko Ang Langit. – 17:23

We first took notice of 17:28 when they interpreted the song Network I in the JAM Himig Handog last year. Although the song did not win, the band created quite a stir.

Victory would come a year after when the group was feted by Katha recently, winning not one but two awards–Best Vocal Performance by Duo/Group and Best Dance Vocal Performance.

It was a very good time to win since 17:28 just launched their debut album under Star Records. Composed of Gian Magdangal, Jonard Yanzon, Chino Alfonso, and Joaquin Valdes, the group trained under the watchful eyes of the Trumpets group led by the triumvirate of Mon Faustino, Audie Gemora and Carlo Orosa.

Let’s get to know the members who were mostly trained in theater.

Valdes, the group’s bass and baritone voice, started at six and earned good reviews in The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe. Now 18, he is studying Architecture.

Magdangal is 20 and is Jolina’s first cousin. A Computer Application student at La Salle-Benilde, he provides all the high notes for 17:28.

Alfonso is a pre-med student at the Ateneo and the last one to join the group. Quiet and reflective, he turns totally the opposite when he’s on stage.

Yanzon is the oldest at 22, and is a grand prize winner of the now-defunct Metropop Star Search of GMA 7. A veteran of the major productions of Trumpets, he also got a chorus part in the Manila staging of Miss Saigon.

Getting their name from a Bible verse in the book of Acts, this boy band is bent on singing and dancing their way, not only to fame, but also to bring further glory to the True Source of Music.