New beginnings for the new year

One of the best things about the new year is the promise of new beginnings. It’s a perfect time to recharge our energies, rethink our strategies, re-evaluate our lives.

We spoke to a former teen idol on a comeback trail, two former singing contest finalists, a controversial actor, a former basketball player who won in a reality show and learned about their dreams and plans for the new year.

Eric Fructuoso, former member of the hotshot trio Gwapings (with Mark Anthony Fernandez and Jomari Yllana), is making a TV comeback.

Eric’s boyish innocence may be gone, but it is now replaced with a more earthy masculine appeal, a plus point when it comes to the new range of roles he envisions to tackle in his comeback bid. One of them is an important character on Panday.

"I’m excited. I’m raring to go back to work. I miss acting," he enthuses. Eric admits that acting during his teenage years was all about having fun, but this time around, he vows to take things more seriously.

"Every move I make now, I’ll give it both time and thought," he adds.

Eric admits there were regrets in some of the decisions he made before, some of which he did as a result of his many frustrations about show business at that time. But he said he got to know and understand himself better going through everything he experienced.

He shares that he has found a new direction in life, brought about by the fulfillment he is getting in the home front. Eric is happily married and he has a 10-month-old daughter named Una.

Meantime, he is preparing for his role on Panday by keeping fit at Ringside Boxing Club in Alabang where he boxes all his showbiz frustrations away. "I want to start again on a clean slate!" he exclaims. With Ogie Diaz as his new manager, Eric is confident he will have only the best projects for the new year.

Michael Cruz is one of the few artists who have mustered enough courage to admit his true sexual orientation and preference on national television. When director Fritz Ynfante, who sat as one of the judges for the second season of Star in a Million asked Michael if he is gay, the singer unabashedly said yes.

After a brief stint under the professional tutelage and care of Arnell Ignacio, Michael is now under the management of Joy Cancio, the same person who propelled Sexbomb to phenomenal success.

His first job on the other side of the fence is the recording of the new Daisy Siete theme song, and he is now playing a new role in the new season of Daisy Siete.

"People might think I have jumped ship since I was associated with Channel 2 because of Star in a Million, but decisions have to be made and I have to think of myself, too," says Michael, adding that he would forever remain grateful to ABS-CBN.

The name sounds familiar, the face memorable. Cedric Carrion was the boy on the eight-seconder video that passed from one mobile phone to another last year. Girls giggled, gays swooned, even some men had a feast seeing a celebrity in all his glorious form.

But what’s done is done and Cedric is putting all behind him now. "I’m glad life gives everyone second chances and new beginnings. We all go through phases, but more importantly, we must know when to move forward and take the leap," he intoned.

After getting mostly supporting roles on TV and a few forgettable ones in the local theater circuit, Cedric feels he is ready to take on important roles in the movies. "I like offbeat roles and I’m happy independent films are on the surge these days. I’m ready to take on anything – even bare – as long as the script is wonderful and the director is good." Cedric is looking forward to working with the likes of Brillante Mendoza, Cesar Hernando, Jeffrey Jeturian and Lav Diaz.

Cedric is in good hands now, having been taken under the wings of bigtime manager Alfie Lorenzo, the one responsible for the long-term success of Judy Ann Santos’ career.

"I’m positive 2006 will be a good year. If the breaks come, I’ll give it my best shot!" he exclaims.

Another product of the Star in a Million singing search, Dean Kristoffer Tijam tells us he has decided to drop his surname once his recording career is launched this month. He will just be known as DK.

Distributed by Alpha Records under the Reddmon Label, DK’s debut CD is titled A Different Kind and contains 14 tracks that will showcase the young singer’s R&B leanings.

Even before the CD is launched, DK has been given a title: the R&B Heartthrob, which he resents. "I don’t really believe in titles, I’m sorry. I am a singer – I want to be known because of my songs and my gift of voice."

DK believes winning a contest does not always guarantee success. "It’s all about timing, choice of songs, sincerity of interpretation and passion for what one does. I hope 2006 will be the start of wonderful things for my budding singing career."

Before 2005 ended, Nico Uy was already P100,000 richer because he was the last man standing in the Get Me, Get Me episode of Extra Challenge. From a select group of 12 bachelors plucked out from all walks of life and three female celebrity searchers, Nico towered over the rest. Viewers started noticing his effortless charm, confident spontaneity and natural eloquence.

At 6’3", Nico was former star player of the San Sebastian Stags in the NCAA and had a brief stint with LBC at the PBL. Aside from setting his sights on the next PBA season, Nico is keeping his options wide open and is willing to try show business and ramp modeling.

"Basketball will always be my first love. But if opportunities knock and there’ll be good projects this new year on television, the movies or in fashion shows, who am I to say no?" he shares. Nico would like to do contravida and character roles because he believes these are more long-term and challenging.

Having lived and studied in Los Angeles for a long time, Nico is Filipino inside out. He spent the holidays with his grandmother and relatives in Batangas City and did a wonderful pictorial for maverick photographer Joachim Bondoc.