Does John Prats ever slow down?

Young man-in-a-hurry John Prats lives life on the fast lane. He is juggling two ABS-CBN shows (Berks and A.S.A.P. Mania) and is shooting First Romance under Star Cinema with reel sweetheart Heart Evangelista. He is enrolled at the Thames International Business School majoring in Business Management. He is endorsing Hawk Bags which recently unveiled its newest designs.

But believe it or not, John knows how to slow things down and take things easy. When the going gets rough, John spends quality time with his family at home. "I usually have work or school every day," John sighs. "But whenever I am free, I just hang out at home with my siblings and watch DVDs. That’s what I do to relax, to release all the tension I get from work."

Showbiz, amidst all the noise and haste, can get unnerving. The young ABS-CBN Talent Center artist also gets to hang out with friends from showbiz: his best friend, model John Ricaforte and celebrity couple Bernard Palanca and Rica Peralejo. "We go to I.O. KTV to sing our hearts out! As in all out talaga ’pag nandun kami. We just grab the mic as if it’s the last night of the world!" chuckles John.

But does his time for R n’ R include his loveteam Heart? "Heart and I are just friends, close friends actually but we don’t hang out as much anymore," shares John. "She, too has her own set of friends she hangs out with."

Before his showbiz career and studies became too demanding, John was also into jet skiing regularly in Subic. His fascination for jet skiing was influenced by his dad, Dondie Prats. "Ang sarap kasi when you’re out in the water, lalo na pag matulin ang takbo ng jet ski! The feeling is indescribable! Basta ang sarap! I practiced long and hard to master jet skiing. I like the discipline it involves. I now make it a point, whenever I can go to Subic to jet ski," he shares.

Come to think of it, jet skiing, he says, is like his showbiz career. "If you are not focused and you just do things indiscriminately, you fall off the jet ski. You have to concentrate and use your head all the time. Yeah, the adrenaline rush is great but you also have to be safe. That’s the same lesson I apply in my daily life and in my career," John says.

New kids on the block

One dreams of becoming the next Aga Muhlach. Another wants to embark on an international career just like her idol Lea Salonga. Another one wants to be like Russell Crowe while another is determined to follow the footsteps of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise.

Meet the members of Star Circle Batch 11, a motley mix of young boys and girls who come from different backgrounds but who all dream of becoming stars someday. They will be launched on Sunday, May 25, on A.S.A.P.

Composed of Bryan Tan, Carla Humphries, Cholo Barretto, Dustin Reyes, Glaiza de Castro, Jill Yulo, John Barrett, Juddha Paolo, Nica Peralejo, Paolo Paraiso, Pia Romero, Pauleen Luna, Pascal Greco, Sarita Perez de Tagle, Valerie Martinez, John Wayne Sace, Rayver Cruz, Mico Aytona, Emman Abeleda, Myhco Aquino and Sergio Garcia, the Star Circle Batch 11 is doing the rounds of various ABS-CBN shows.

"We plan to guest them in different programs. Their talents will be highlighted and everyone will see how exceptional this batch is," says an ABS-CBN insider.

"We have different personalities, each one having his own strength and weakness," says John Barretto, nephew of Gretchen, Marjorie and Claudine. "But I think we all have what it takes to make it."

Let’s see, John!