Assessing past & present StarStruck winners

(Second of two parts)

Within 24 hours of their victory, StarStruck winners Jackie Rice and Ultimate Sole Survivor Marky Cielo were already doing the grind. Fresh from winning their titles the previous night – and after only two to three hours of sleep – they were already facing the cameras for their pictorial for the Channel 7 show Love to Love, which they began putting in the can last Tuesday. As you read this, they are already up to here with work – and they have yet to get a decent sleep since topping the StarStruck search last Sunday in colorful ceremonies held at the Marikina Sports Park.

With Jackie and Marky fulfilling their end of the GMA 7 managerial contract that was part of their prizes, what has become of their predecessors – the previous winners of this popular artista search, StarStruck?

I have already assessed the careers of the original StarStruck winners, Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado, in my Tuesday column. This time, let’s see how StarStruck’s second batch of winners Mike Tan and Ryza Cenon are faring in the world of show business – and what future is in store for Marky and Jackie.

Mike Tan – The changes in the lives of those who won in the second edition of StarStruck were not as dramatic compared to those of Mark Herras, Jennylyn Mercado – and even their runners-up, Rainier Castillo and Yasmien Kurdi. Maybe it was because by the time the second set of StarStruck winners came around, most positions had already been filled up by the first batch of survivors and even avengers (a more hip term for semi-finalists – and definitely a more polite word for thank you, boys and girls).

But with the opening of GMA 7’s sister station, QTV 11, there was work for everyone – at least for those still interested in pursuing a showbiz career.

In the case of Mike Tan, he is still very much around and visible. Since winning StarStruck last year, he has appeared in quite a number of shows – some of which were his own. In one season of Love to Love, for example, he played a supporting part (to Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado) as the nerdy Engelbert and was quite effective in a comic role. By the time the next chapter of Love to Love came around, he already played lead.

In the movie Lovestruck last year, his debut big screen appearance proved to be quite impressive because he registered very well. Given more roles in the movies, he may yet be developed into a fine leading man – of which there is a shortage in the movies.

At the moment, he has a couple of movies lined up – one of which is Manay Po, the gay comedy version of Mano Po.

With GMA Artists Center handling his career, Mike Tan should have a bright future in show business.

Ryza Cenon – I have to admit that I have a soft spot for this StarStruck winner because she had always been a very sweet and thoughtful person. (She is the type who would text you and greet you on your birthday.)

Very pretty, she should really be on her way to becoming a big star by now, except that she lacks something that is, sadly, quite mandatory in this profession if you want to appeal to fans: A love team.

Unfortunately, her being paired off with CJ Muere didn’t work. But then, maybe it’s all for the best. It’s still possible for her to become a big star without being attached to a love team – although that is a slower route to stardom. But if she makes it, she can always say that she made it on her own. And she can become a better actress – solo. Away from distractions of a love team (and a love life because they eventually fall for each other), she can concentrate better at honing her craft.

Since getting crowned as StarStruck’s Ultimate Female Survivor last year, Ryza Cenon actually had never been out of work on TV. She already had her Love to Love stint and is now in the cast of Majika.

Ryza is only turning 18 on Dec. 21 – still quite young and has all the time in the world to find the perfect spot for her in this profession.

Marky Cielo – An Igorot from the Mountain Province (Martin Nievera, incidentally, is half-Igorot – his father, Bert, being pure Igorot), StarStruck’s Ultimate Sole Survivor is Pinoy na Pinoy, one of the few in local show business that is basically populated by people with mestizo looks.

When it comes to talent, Marky can dance, act and, well, sing (this area still needs a lot of improvement though). He is, however, at his best on the dance floor. During the production number that featured the boys of StarStruck – past and present – at the grand finals held last Sunday, I did say that Mark Herras eclipsed them all. Now, I have to say, that next to Mark, it was Marky who did best in their dance routines.

And what is his future in local show business? I bet it’s big and bright because it helps that he looks like one of us – and that should endear him to fans.

Jackie Rice – Singing is her best asset. But I think she should still work on that. (Maybe she can put a little more passion to it.)

When it comes to looks, Jackie has a little problem here. No doubt that she’s very good-looking. The trouble is, she looks like every other mestiza we know. Fortunately, it’s so easy to have a makeover these days – until she finds the right look for her. The one look that would make her standout from a sea of mestiza beauties. And then, it also helps that she is very charming. She may look like other mestizas (Zsa Zsa Padilla for one), but undeniably has a charm uniquely her own and she can capitalize on that to get her career started out in this profession.

But at 15, we may have to wait for her to bloom.

(For the new StarStruck winners, watch out for Conversations on Sunday, March 19).