Grains of wisdom from the mouth of babes

Gone are the days when professionalism was not required of the local entertainment industry’s child sensations.

A recent chat with the members of Star Circle Quest Kid’s Magic Circle of 10, who were launched about a year ago, proved that indeed, these kids, at a young age, have already developed love for their careers.

"Dapat palagi akong strong at professional," says SCQ Grand Kid Questor Nash Aguas, six, when asked about the best lesson he has learned in his one-year stay in the business. "Maski wala ako sa mood, kailangan gawin ko yung pinapagawa sa akin. Bawal din dapat ang ma-late."

Six-year old Arron Junatas, on the other hand, was quick to counter, "Pero, kami naman ang pinaghihintay ng ibang artista." Despite this setback, this charming, chubby child star admits that he really enjoys being in the limelight and spending time with his idol Judy Ann Santos during their Krystala tapings. He also adds that having his own fans inspires him to do better in everything he does.

Asked about giving her "playtime" up in favor of her career, Sharlene San Pedro, six, notes, "Alam namin nagwo-work kami pero, di naman lagi work e. May play din naman kaya okey lang."

She admits however that she is afraid of eventually losing her followers. "Malulungkot talaga ako pag laos na ako."

CJ Navato, eight, also feels the same way but chose to be optimistic, saying, "Kaya nga, I am studying, eh, para maski kahit papano, I can work maski wala na ako sa showbiz." This Gary Estrada lookalike, who is now in Grade Two, dreams of someday becoming a doctor.

Reaching this point in the discussion, Nash, in his usual witty self, injects, "Kailangan talaga mag-aral kasi kung hindi paano ka makakapag-drive? Paano mo mababasa yung ‘No U-Turn’ sign?"

Nash’s best friend, Basty Alcanses, six, quickly approved of his bud’s idea, saying with conviction, "Tama yun!" Nash and Basty, as a duo, are part of ABS-CBN’s game show Wowowee. "Partner ko talaga yang si Nash," the latter declares. "Kaya nga ako umiyak nung naalis ako sa SCQ, eh, dahil mami-miss ko talaga silang lahat (questors), lalo na si Nash."

Sharlene recalls, "Noon, tuwing may naaalis sa SCQ, umiiyak ako. Lahat kasi kami friends. Lahat sila love ko." When asked if there is rivalry among them, she was quick to say, "Wala po."

But, Celine Lim, six, counters, "Kami po hindi nag-aaway, ’yung mga tao lang na nakapaligid sa amin."

Asked what they do if their loved ones engage in "rivalry" issues, KC Abaloc, six, says that she reminds them that, "Masama makipag-away at magka-inggitan" and eventually, cries. This, according to her, is effective. "Pero, kung kami lang, wala po talaga sa aming inggitan."

In fact, all questors were in favor of Nash’s being named as SCQ Grand Kid Questor. Jodell Stasic, nine, notes that Nash is really deserving of the title but, regrets that, since he was not a part of the top five, he was unable to join the SCQ group on their Cebu trip. "Pero, binili naman ako ng RC car so, nabawasan ang lungkot ko."

These kids express their gratitude to ABS-CBN, their kapamilya network, for giving them their breaks like their inclusion on the top-rating kid’s gag show Goin’ Bulilit,

Sharlene, looking back at the year that was, also hopes that, "Sana proud sila (her parents) sa mga nagawa ko."

This conversation with the SCQ kids is a proof that indeed, beyond these children’s noisy, and is crazy world lies a wisdom often overlooked by adults.