From pageantry to showbiz: Titleholders, models join MQAA roster of talents
From the world of modeling and pageantry, Miss Supranational 2023 first runner-up Pauline Amelinckx and Miss Charm 2023 first runner-up Annabelle McDonnell are venturing into the showbiz industry.
The Empire.PH Artist Management beauty queens recently inked a deal with MQuest Ventures’ MQuest Artists Agency (MQAA). They were joined by Mister Global Philippines 2024 Dom Corilla and 22nd Manhunt International second runner-up Kenneth Stromsnes.
MQAA also welcomed showbiz newcomers Allen Cecilio, Iven Lim, and Dom Real into the fold.
Award-winning actor Cedrick Juan earlier signed up with MQAA as well.
MQAA head Jeff Remigio told The STAR in an exclusive interview, held after the contact-signing event at TV5 Media Center in Mandaluyong City, that the newly signed talents will have a good home with them.
“We tapped Empire because they have a good slate of talents,” he said. “A lot of them are models but who also have a lot of other skills and capabilities. So we said, ‘Why not?’ Let’s see. So when we looked at their stable of artists, we found some notable and good talents that we thought we could improve, train, develop and hopefully come up with projects because we are doing a lot of things within the MediaQuest. They will have a good home and we’re hoping to be able to provide opportunities for them.”
Jeff added that they already have a lineup of projects for the artists. “We have series, films to do so it’s just a matter of seeing what’s the right fit (for them) and what skill set they have now. Whoever needs training, then we will develop that until such time that they’re really (ready). But kung project at project lang, there’s plenty. I think they will have a good place within the organization.”
Pauline told this paper in a one-on-one chat that the new venture with MQAA marks “a new beginning” for her career. “I think we (Annabelle and I) have both been hosting events and pageants so being able to now take that big step into actually a network, I think it would open up so many doors and possibilities. And I’m personally super excited about everything that’s waiting (for us).”
She wants to specifically focus on her hosting skills, may it be in a lifestyle program or a travel show, before dipping her toes into acting. But given the acting opportunity, she would like it to be a romantic-comedy genre and play an antagonist role.
She also mentioned that her showbiz crush is JM de Guzman because he is a lookalike of her boyfriend.
Is she still open to join the pageantry again?
“Joining the Miss Universe Philippines again, it is not an immediate plan especially since we just signed with MQAA and TV5,” replied Pauline. “But if the age restriction will still not be in play when I’m over 30 or something like that, I’m not closing any doors.
“That’s the thing. The opportunity is always open. It’s just that at the moment, it’s nice to be able to focus on other things and other aspects of personal growth like the work that we get to do with MQAA, which is completely different from pageantry. And after four national pageants, it’s nice for me to take a step out of those tracks and forge a new path.”
As for Annabelle, she might give pageantry another chance in the future. She remarked, “In my case, I’m glad that I got to finally represent the country last year. That was definitely the pinnacle of my pageantry experience so far. And I’m looking forward to the second edition of Miss Charm… If I were to represent the country again, I’d be the luckiest girl in the world, right? I’m looking forward to trying my luck in the near future.”
She agreed with Pauline saying that signing up with MQAA will definitely open more doors of opportunity and growth in terms of honing their hosting skills.
“I would definitely be open to handling opportunities at the same time,” she replied when asked if she’s also interested in acting. “Though I really wanna take this hosting up a notch and bring it to the big screen, I’d also like to venture more into acting.”
She also wants to take on “more emotionally challenging roles” if given the chance. She cited Joshua Garcia as her showbiz crush whom she would like to work with.
On the other hand, former Manhunt International Philippines 2019, Corilla, dreamt of becoming an action star that’s why he underwent stuntman training and acting workshops. But he is also open to try the romantic-comedy genre.
The actors he looks up to are Alden Richards, Coco Martin, and Michael V.
He was discovered by Jonas Gaffud while gracing a modeling show in the United States and returned to the Philippines to pursue modeling and showbiz. He is poised to represent the Philippines at the Mister Global 2024 in Bangkok, Thailand from Sept. 24 to Oct. 6.
Kenneth, for his part, said that he is keen on taking roles in comedic-themed films or series or bag a Best Supporting Actor award. He has been a long-time fan of Aga Muhlach and the comedy trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon. He named Miles Ocampo as his celebrity crush whom he would like to collaborate with in the future.
He started joining local pageants (barangay and municipal levels) years ago until he was discovered by a talent scout. He then started modeling in 2018 and did commercials.
After the pandemic, he returned to pageantry where he won Manhunt International 2024 second runner-up. “Maybe that’s my last pageant. I want to focus on showbiz and also modeling. I want to try diverse roles.”
Kenneth also appeared in the “Eat Bulaga” segment “Mr. Cutie: Boys Got Talent” with Real.
Aside from appearing in “Eat Bulaga,” Real, meanwhile, is an entrepreneur who owns a nail salon.
He is also into singing and dancing. “I was scouted because of my singing. But I’m willing to explore (other things) as well ‘cause I did acting workshops. And I also fell in love with (acting),” expressed Real.
Allen, for his part, jumpstarted his showbiz career via ABS-CBN’s reality show “Pinoy Boyband Superstar.” He took a break from the entertainment industry in 2019 to finish his studies. After he graduated last year, he resumed his showbiz career and is now a part of TV5’s “Padyak Princess.”
“This time, I want to focus on showbiz. (I’d like to) see my full potential, the things that I could achieve and if this is really for me, the Lord’s will for me. Ngayon natin makikita because I will give more time to commercial (stints) and MQAA,” he offered.
On his dream role, Allen said, “I think hindi ako pang love team, I’m more of a character actor. But if I will be given a loveteam, ‘Why not?’ I want it to be with (‘It’s Showtime’ Sexybabe 2022 grand winner) Sam Coloso.”
Real chimed in and quipped, “Maybe a love triangle (with Sam and Allen). I really admired Sam. She’s very pretty. And I saw her in one episode and I was amazed.
“Maybe a love triangle with her,” Real said of his dream collaboration.
Lastly, Iven conveyed his wish to be in a love team. It has been one of his showbiz goals as a fan of past love teams, such as KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), LizQuen (Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil), and JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre), as well as the comebacking tandem of JoshLia (Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto).
In 2017, Iven came to Manila from Davao to pursue an acting career. He tried acting workshops with Ogie Diaz and Star Magic. But he went back to his hometown to finish his college education. In 2022, he was scouted at a friend’s party and later joined Mercator Artist and Model Management, Inc. He then started appearing in commercials for brands.
“I also applied in a real estate agency and got in. One good thing about that is it’s flexible. May hinahabol akong quota. But I can do both (showbiz and real estate). Bumalik din (ako) sa dream ko na kinalimutan ko na nung 2017,” he added.
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