‘Who knows? You might be the next big star!’

MANILA, Philippines - Does it sound like a tagline from a reality show? Well, not a show, but that is the reality that VIVA Foundation for the Arts, Inc. offers you this summer.

The VIVA Foundation for the Arts, Inc. is the team that trains the brightest and blossoming stars in the industry. Led by celebrity star mentor Beverly Vergel, the team developed a system for a “school” for the artists over the years. With the vision of giving back to the industry, Beverly found the same goal with VIVA Entertainment, Inc.’s Vic del Rosario.

“It’s been the plan of Boss Vic to put up a school for the artists. Since the core business of VIVA Entertainment is all about developing stars, making movies and big shows, he said, ‘Gusto ko ituloy ‘yung eskuwelahan,’” Beverly said.

Sharing that it always makes her happy to help other people and that mentoring has always been a passion and second nature to her, she and Boss Vic started the foundation. Beverly is the managing director of Viva Foundation of the Arts, Inc. or will be publicly known as the VIVA Arts School. Construction is soon underway for a complete performing arts school complex.

Who is Beverly Vergel? Most of us know her as the actress who is also the leading lady of several action stars and comedians. In fact, Beverly is from a homegrown showbiz family. She is the daughter of popular actors in the ’50s, Alicia Vergel and Cesar Ramirez. Her parents were one of the most popular love teams at that time. Her brother, Ace Vergel, is also a well-known actor and has made a name as the Bad Boy of Philippine Cinema.

Beverly is also not short on the recognitions as far as being an actor is concerned. Aside from having worked with the country’s top action stars (Bong Revilla, Ronnie Ricketts, Eddie Garcia, Miguel Rodriguez) and comedians (Dolphy, Joey de Leon, Joey Marquez), Beverly has also worked with most, if not all, networks, production outifts, directors and commercial agencies in the industry. She has also worked as a model, endorser, actress, director, writer, producer and corporate executive.

Relating that she also has her own life mentors, Beverly said that being a mentor is always a matter of paying it forward. “It’s my way of giving back (to the industry) and spreading the blessings,” she said. Previously, she has worked with ABS-CBN and handled the trainings of more than 10,000 students over the years and counting. She is known as the most experienced and effective acting coach in the entertainment industry. She has been given the Walk on Water award for Best in Craft and Best in Business Acumen in 2007 by ABS-CBN.

As a mentor, Beverly shared that she is one of the nurturing kind. “I think I’m 70 percent heart, although I’m a very cerebral person. A lot of times, I do things with love and passion and concern,” she said. “I will always try to immerse myself and understand where the person is coming from. Kasi dito sa showbiz iba-iba ang pinanggalingan.”

“Pagkatapos nila mag-acting, marami pang nangyayaring concerns sa buhay nila (artists) na wala naman sa basic talaga, at wala ring eskuwelahan dito to prepare them for it,” Beverly said about the reality in the life of artists. “Troubleshoot ako ng troubleshoot. Kapag may problema, hahanapan ko ng solusyon (and it goes on) hanggang sa nahanapan ng pattern na nakaka-apekto sa mga career nila.”

That was how it started. Now known for her track record in a 360-degree performance analysis and mentoring for talent development, Beverly shares her own learnings to the budding new artists she trains.

Right now, their goal is to train artists “despite the absence of the four-year degree training” like that of the US. Beverly and her team developed and are continuously coming up with a system that is at par with that kind of training in other countries.

“The training that we provide is: We make you ready not only for the local market, but also for Asian and international markets as well,” said Beverly, who partnered with Abby Luz, a graduate of directing and production at the UCLA, to provide the best mentoring for the foundation.

This summer, VIVA Foundation for the Arts, Inc. offers the basic singing, dancing, and acting lessons for the motivated young artists. With high-profile mentors and a system of a higher standard, the foundation ensures a summer workshop that will take its participants to the next level of making dreams into reality.

“Baseline ko is makatulong maka-build ng confidence, setting the kid in the right direction,” Beverly said. “The best lesson I can give is ‘always believe in yourself.’ Just to be able to contribute even to the littlest part of their success is already an accomplishment for us.”

Stories of stars starting out as the “wonders of workshops” are not new but not passé as well. With workshops to provide you with trainings of the highest competency level, who knows? You might be the next big star!

For interested applicants, workshops are open for kids, teens and adults. Registration for the second batch is ongoing. For details, call (02) 234-0130 or (0916)798-2257, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 pm.