Judgment day for Starstruck discoveries

Tomorrow is judgment day for the four Starstruck survivors (to be announced from the Araneta Coliseum stage during a grand show to be telecast at 9:30 p.m. on GMA 7).

While nobody knows yet who the final pair would be, all four survivors are already assured of stardom at this point of the race. (And for that matter, even those who were eliminated earlier already have a place in local show business.)

Now, stardom can be dizzying. Anyone starting out a career in show business so early in life may lose his or her balance if not guided properly. Here below are some pieces of advice I would like to share with the young survivors of Starstruck who are all in quest of stardom:

Always be grateful – Be grateful not only to the Lord (more than anyone else, it is Him you should thank), but also to all those who helped you while you were just starting out in the business because nobody loves an ingrate in this world.

The only time utang na loob is not good is when a newly-elected President has to pay political debts by giving choice positions in government to those who helped him or her during the campaign period.

But in the world of show business, utang na loob is very important. A recent case I can cite is Sharon Cuneta’s decision to accept the lead part in Unitel’s Crying Ladies. The reason the megastar cited for playing that very unconventional con artist role is that she had always wanted to try out something different. I guess this is true – and good for Sharon for daring to get out of that glossy mold that had entrapped her all these years. But then, there must also have been the utang na loob factor. Tony Gloria, the producer of Crying Ladies, was part of Sharon’s early career in the movies and it was really so nice of her to have helped him out in this production venture. In return, we all saw the good karma Sharon got: Crying Ladies was not only a box-office hit, it also won Best Picture in the Metro Filmfest–plus rave reviews for her performance in the film. Even if she goes on leave now because of her pregnancy (also part of her good karma), at least she has the memorable Crying Ladies for fans to remember her by.

Don‘t be a swellhead – All of you must feel like you are on top of the world right now. And why wouldn’t you be when everyone seems to want a piece of you – to get a hug, a kiss, an autographed picture of you or just to see you in person? It’s easy to get carried away by such adulation. But don’t. I’m telling you, this moment will be so fleeting. Before you realize it, there will be another batch of stars to ake over your place.

If you still manage to stay on top in spite of the competition – good for you. But remember, you will only stay there if you don’t have an attitude, if you are cooperative and easy to work with. In other words, you can reach the top and stay there only if you are not a swellhead.

Learn and improve yourself – The game isn’t over for you now that the Star-struck contest is finished. In fact, it is just beginning. Take up acting workshops to improve further your craft. Go back to school if you can. If that’s not possible, do home study programs. Read, read, read. That should be a good alternative in the absence of formal education at this point. But really, do everything you can possible to finish school.

Don’t be greedy – Money should not always be the consideration when accepting offers. You have to like what you are doing because this will show on screen. Don’t just grab any offer just because the money is big. Eventually, you are bound to lose more.

Discourage hangers-on – Don’t form an entourage just because you feel like you are a big star now. Remember, you have to spend for these people – feed them and even give them an allowance. Sure, there will be fans who would volunteer to be your factotum for free. But do you really want to take advantage of them?

Having a large entourage will be quite difficult to manage. For one thing, you may have to spend so much time playing referee to them because they will surely be sowing intrigues among themselves. Also, they are bound to drain your resources and you may end up just working for their upkeep.

If you have to bring people with you – limit the number. If your mother is not doing anything, bring her along as a deterrent to wolves lurking around in search of fresh young flesh. (Just make sure she also gives quality time to other members of the family because your siblings may start resenting you for this.)

Now, if you can have Regine Velasquez’ father, Mang Gerry, cloned, you can’t get any better deal than that.

Save – Learn to invest (but wisely). Beware of people in show business who are out to hoodwink you of your hard-earned money because there are so many of them in this profession.

Make sure that you always have something stashed away just in case so you don’t look pathetic if your popularity wanes.

Stay away from drugs – Don’t even touch it to satisfy your curiosity. If you have to portray the part of a drug addict, just learn by observing them and for sure you’ll also find out that what they’re doing is not worth emulating.

Don’t even smoke because this will get you all wrinkled up.

Pray–This isn’t the easiest profession on earth. There will be heartaches and headaches. But with prayers, you will overcome all these difficulties.

Now, if I may be allowed to revise the Starstruck dictum: Dream. Believe. Survive. Pray.