StarStruck winners: Their transformation

(Second of three parts)

The StarStruck grand finals will be held tomorrow night at the Marikina Sports Park and will be aired at 9:30 p.m. on GMA 7.

Although only four of the Survivor 6 will be crowned victors (Ultimate Love Team, Ultimate Hunk, Ultimate Sweetheart), all of them are already winners at this point because showbiz doors have been opened to them — thanks to this grand artista search.

Two days ago, Wilma Galvante, GMA 7 senior vice president for entertainment TV, traced the transformation of Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado from the time they joined the contest, after they won and now that their careers are flourishing. However, there is still life — a great life, actually — even for the runners-up and the Avengers (those who didn’t make it to the finals) and read about their transformation below.

Rainier Castillo — Rainier came at the right time — when the F4 fever was at its peak and he sported the F4 look and looked good in it. "Early in the game, I knew he was going to land a place in the contest because he was popular with the masses. Crowds would call out his name during mall tours," recalls Galvante. The boy also had a killer smile that charmed "even grandmothers in the audience."

Galvante, however, also knew that they had to draw out whatever talent Rainier had because there was no way he’d be able to survive the profession on charisma alone.

There was a lot of work to do on him. The first thing they did was to give him an artista stance. They also put him through acting workshops.

Rainier, however, is still a work in progress. At this point, Galvante believes he should let go of his boyish image and put more maturity into his acting skills. And yes, he has to hit the gym and develop a body.

"He’d even look better with a good build," assures Galvante. The bottom-line is: "He has to get out of that boy-next door mold in order for him to find the right showbiz path."

Yasmien Kurdi — Among the StarStruck Batch 1 members, I am fondest of Mark Herras and Yasmien Kurdi. Maybe because they are wards of Lolit Solis and we gravitate toward the same showbiz mother. Or probably because they really are very nice young people and all my dealings with them have been very pleasant.

Wilma Galvante — she with the keener eye — however, was able to detect a little naughtiness in Yasmien at the start of the competition. "She is charming (her character on Bakekang). May pagka-maldita," reveals Galvante.

She was able to confirm this shortly after the finals. Yasmien already had projects for GMA 7 then, but left her shows to join Lolit in the US. Upon her return, she was summoned to Galvante’s office and was told of her suspension. "Ayokong ma-suspend, Ma’am, Tita…" Those were her exact words to the GMA 7 to executive. "O, di ba, maldita?" Galvante shakes her head.

For all of Yasmien’s protestations, she still got her suspension. "But you know what," Galvante tells me, "I’d prefer that to somebody na nagbabait-baitan lang."

What Galvante likes most about Yasmien is the girl’s innate talent. "When she sings, mas manipis talaga ang boses niya compared to Jennylyn," notes Galvante. "But give Yasmien any song and it takes off."

Most impressive about Yasmien is how she is getting to be better and better in the acting department. "When it comes to acting, she is already okay. You can make her do lead, supporting, character or even funny roles," remarks Galvante. "I still see a big future ahead of her."

Katrina Halili — Katrina is the success story among the StarStruck Batch 1 Avengers. When she entered that stage, Galvante immediately noticed how focused the girl was about her career.

"In that batch, she was the most focused — and this is the reason why she is where she is now. She knows how to take care of herself — and will go through extreme lengths to make herself look beautiful. She is focused even when it comes to attitude," points out Galvante.

"Look, among them, it was only Katrina who wasn’t linked to anybody. She didn’t have to be part of a love team — and yet she’s there," she continues. "One thing I sensed about her early on: She was headed toward the sexy route."

Katrina is now a top young sex goddess. What else does she have to do to further improve her career? "Work on her acting, but she’s learning and continues to learn," replies Galvante.

(To be concluded)