Chun Sa, Jun Carlos: SM Little Stars

MANILA, Philippines - It was a shining night for SM City Clark’s Chun Sa Angela Jung, 5, and SM City Iloilo’s Jun Carlos Gumacal, 6, when they were named SM Little Stars 2014 during the grand finals held recently at the SM Mall of Asia Center Stage.

Jun Carlos, who amazed the audience with his moves in a remix dance number, dreams to become a famous dancer someday. Lovable Chun Sa, who wants to become a doctor someday, wowed the crowd with her dancing and modeling moves.

They won over 15 finalists in the annual nationwide search for cute, adorable and talented kids, and as grand prize winners, they each received amazing prizes. These included P200,000 worth of cash and shopping money, and a five-day and four-night trip to China for two with round trip tickets, hotel accommodations and tour. 

They were also entitled to a four-year college scholarship grant from National University; John Robert Powers’ Basic Personality Development Program; and a Music Academy scholarship from Trumpets. Other prizes included Toy Kingdom gift certificates worth P10,000 and a 10-hour session on the Future Leaders Program, both worth P20,000 each.

The kids charmed the distinguished judges led by Trumpets co-founder and president Audie Gemora, 1991 Bb. Pilipinas International Patty Betita and Cheska Garcia-Kramer. Others included Trumpets Playshop director Lani Ligot, Bodjie Pascua, Ciara Sotto and Cathy Garcia Molina. Criteria for judging are star qual-ity, 30 percent; personality, 20 percent; and talent, 50 percent.

The evening also showcased other shining stars: First runner-up Jeantelle Louise Esteban of SM City Marikina sang When You Wish Upon a Star; second runner-up Madyson Elizabeth Lamont of SM City Batangas performed a magic show; while third runner-up Kaycee Nicole Dela Cruz of SM City brought Broadway to the mall with a song from the musical Wicked. It was also a shining moment for Sheena Kirtsten Bentoy of SM City Dasmariñas, who won a one-year talent management contract with Stages Productions Specialists.

Other finalists included SM City Novaliches’ Sean Hayden Bermudez, SM Southmall’s Marcus Hayden Trirogoff, Marcus Cabais of SM City Clark, Eric Lance Johann Santiago and Jarumy Kendra Chavez of SM City Marilao, Paul Benedict Vizcarra of SM City Bacoor, SM City Lipa’s Jomer Wilson Lee, SM City Cebu’s Hannah Faith Mag-aso, SM City Davao’s Sophia Stephanie Gayle Fenecios and Patrick Jan Jakob. SM Little Stars champions also performed a song-and-dance number during the intermission.

One of the highlights of the program hosted by Sam Concepcion and Janella Salvador was the participation of the SM Little Stars winners from China who also showcased their talents during the event. They were SM Chongqing’s Zhou Jinghan and Liu Ai; SM Chengdu’s Yang Zengxi and Liu Renyu, SM Jinjiang’s Miao Yilin and Ding Zhisheng, SM Suzhou’s Ye Yicheng and SM Xiamen’s Yin Chenxi and Yang Ling. Last year’s Little Star winners Patricia Angel Platon Medalla of SM City Marikina and Nhikzy Veench Calma of SM City Manila.

The SM Little Stars pageant is one of the many exciting events of the SM Supermalls.