Born to be a pop star kid

Our first encounter with this precocious child was in a show at Koriks, watering hole of showbiz people and venue for business of singer and Makati Councilor Rico J. Puno. We were with friends among them critic Nestor Torre whom we had managed to drag along on one of his rare bar visits. Musical director Toti Fuentes was at the piano showcasing his wizardry; a child was singing prior to other guests before the main act of Rico J.

We noticed quickly that although the majority of adults in the audience were not really listening to the kid, she didn’t mind it at all. She went on singing and enjoyed her performance. It was apparent that she liked what she was doing. The trait was to figure greatly in her winning the title, we were told.

As we were leaving, a man hurried over to accost Torre saying, "Thank you for your kind words about my daughter Rita. We truly appreciate it." The man was Red Iringan, the child’s father. His wife was known as Osang (nee de Guzman) to everyone in the Makati City Hall, as secretary of Rico J. But soon, she will be known as the mother of Rita, the Pop Star champion.

That much appreciated critique of Torre soon proved to be providential. Rita had been part of a year-long talent search launched by QTV 11 for young talented singers. When championship night came, Rita won the judges’ nod hands-down. Jurors Wilma Galvante, Darling de Jesus, Nanette Inventor, Cacai Velasquez and Nyoy Volante voted Rita unanimously as the first winner of Pop Star Kids. The criteria was 60 percent, star quality, and 40 percent, musicality. Galvante was said to have observed that Rita won because she was very charming, simply enjoying herself with what she loved to do.

The young singer won for her rendition of Stand Up for Love by Destiny’s Child. "I love Beyoncé, Destiny’s lead singer," Rita gushes. "She is my idol. Sobrang ganda ang kanyang boses at performance. Boses, dancing, lahat lahat na, nasa kanya."

Osang recalls that Rita’s first love was really dancing. She also loved to imitate celebrities she watched on TV. At age five, she was singing Aiza Seguerra’s Pagdating ng Panahon. But she did not like to compete then. At 10, however, it was Rita who told her mom she wanted to join Pop Star Kids. Why this change of heart, we ask her. To which she shyly replies, "Gusto ko makita sarili ko sa TV."

Rita got her wish and more. After joining the contest, Rita was invited to appear in mall shows. She also guested on Sis, Mel & Joey, Unang Hirit, Ganda ng Lola Ko and S.O.P.

Although performing is innate to her being the granddaughter of comedian Teroy de Guzman, much support also comes from the outside. Among her supporters is Rico J. who coaches Rita on how to move on stage. He is proud of what Rita has achieved so far. Rico also gifted Rita’s family with a second-hand car upon finding out that they had to take a cab to bring the kid to gigs and engagements. When Rita won P300,000 as grand champion of Pop Star Kids, she settled the down payment for a Toyota Innova, and let her siblings use her first car.

Another supporter is Toti Fuentes who provided Rita with music minus ones he made specially for her including Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

After the competition, musical director Danny Tan gathered the Pop Star Kids winners including Rita and formed Sugar Pop Kids upon the suggestion of Jaya. They are seen in private events and on GMA 7 shows. The members of the kid group are 11 years old and under contract with GMA Artist Center for five years.

Rita is on a partial home-study arrangement with St. Rita’s College, Elementary Dept. She attends her classes twice or thrice weekly when she has no TV guestings and shows.

(E-mail me at bibsyfotos@yahoo.com)