Another Hashtags boy coming up

Just how can one excel from a big pool of good-looking young boys who can dance, smile and make girls scream in delight!

Wilbert Ross, one among 19 young men who are certified and qualified members of the current sensation-group Hashtags, has the answer to this question of individuality: He can sing.

The ability to sing in a manner that touches listeners’ hearts is what Wilbert Ross can offer like a gift wrapped in a special way. It is a talent that naturally comes from within him, and one that pushes him to do other artistic endeavors such as dancing, acting and playing instruments, especially guitar and beat box.

“Singing po ay isang bagay na ginagawa ko at di ako napapagod gawin. Gusto ko talaga itong gawin. (Singing is one thing that I do and won’t get tired of doing. I really love doing it,” says Wilbert, straight and sure.

It is what Philip Rojas, his artist manager, embraces as his strength. He’s not a belter, but he sings in the mold of Ariel Rivera and those other singers letting their very voices come through with so much pathos. Small wonder that a move for him to record cover songs is in the works.

He also can write songs, a side of him that will definitely be tapped anytime soon.

Wilbert became a member of Hashtags after his noticeable stint as a competitor for Pinoy Boyband Superstar, a TV contest recently aired on ABS-CBN. Prior to that he was seen emotively sharing his voice in the other competition Tawag ng Tanghalan, a segment in It’s Showtime. His rendition of Lionel Ritchie’s Hello solicited two thumbs up from viewers and netizens.

Hashtags is seen daily in It’s Showtime, kick-starting the show with spectacular dance moves amidst the pretty noise coming from girl fans.

At 19, Wilbert’s journey to the land of local showbiz needed one big decision as it meant leaving his traditional study route and his Davao Del Sur hometown. He shares, “Nag-decide kami ng Mama ko na makipagsapalaran sa Manila kahit maituturing na sumugal kami kasi wala naman kaming koneksiyon dito. (My mother and I decided to take our chances and move to Manila even if that decision could be considered a risk since we had no connections.)”

For a couple of months, he stayed at a cousin’s place. But then his acquaintance with Asian Artists Agency artist manager Philip Rojas proved significant.

For a number of times he had auditioned for Pinoy Big Brother wherein he was often shortlisted. His efforts actually made him a familiar face even to the likes of TV entertainment big boss Laurente Dyogi. It was a classic example that when you are in the middle of action, you are likely to get the ball and the opportunity to take a shot.

Wilbert adds, “Malaking sacrifice sa akin na ipagpaliban ang full academic scholarship ko sa probinsya namin para ako ay maging isang engineer. Pero pakiramdam ko ito na ang opportunity for a career na gusto ko talaga. (It’s a big sacrifice on my part to put a full scholarship on hold to study engineering. But I feel that this is the opportunity for a career that I really want.) I have one shot at it, and this is it.”

Well, some artists are like engineers — calculating enough to know the right thing to do.

Should we say that it makes for an interesting backdrop that Wilbert had a difficult life growing up? He has never seen his Chinese father; he was bullied in school. There was also the feeling that his efforts were not appreciated by people close to him.

But things are brightening up for this promising and hardworking talent. He embraces the hectic schedule, the backstage work that needs to be done to execute dance steps well in front of the camera, the importance of camaraderie especially in a boy group, and that power to be his true self.

At 6 feet tall, he’s literally a standout. But more than the height, it’s his story and hunger that make him shine in a crowd.

(For more info, visit fb.com/asianartistsagency or call 885-4765 or 405-4423.)