Bright young things

If there’s one magazine list that’s become conversational fodder for the teen beat generation, it’s Chalk’s annual Bright Young Manila list. Launched in 2006 as a thoughtful celebration of the who’s who in the lifestyle and entertainment scene, the list has gone on to include the likes of blogger Tricia Gosingtian, fashion designer Veejay Floresca, visual artist Leeroy New, filmmaker Samantha Lee, and MYX VJ Chino Lui Pio. Even Young STAR’s very own Raymond Ang, Paolo Lorenzana, and Ralph Mendoza have been decorated alongside young industry trailblazers and neo-luminaries whom you’ve seen grace these very pages.

Since then, the annual list has become a competition of sorts, honoring those who’ve made an impact in their universities even at a young age. This year, Chalk tapped eight schools from the UAAP belt to come up with a roster of bright young student achievers. From a list of 15 — a heady mix of models, athletes, student leaders, fashionistas, et al. — six were chosen to be Bright Young Manila student ambassadors as announced in the recently released November issue with James Reid and Nadine Lustre on the cover. With good looks and a determination to live up to the legacy of their BYM forebears, these kids may very well represent what Chalk in its many years in the industry stands for — living young, loving hard, and looking good. Hella good. Get to know this year’s winners of Bright Young Manila.

Lyka Garcia, 21 IV – Applied Corporate Management, DLSU @lykagarcia

You love to travel?

My favorite places are Barcelona and Paris. It’s different — whenever you go to the streets, it’s different buildings, different structures, different histories. Before I travel, I usually do research on the places I go to.

What about it excites you?

I get to know people more so I know how to adjust to them and not be very judgmental. Before I used to not like Indians, now I’ve accepted their culture and respect them for the people they are.

Based on what you’ve seen, what do you think the Philippines can improve on?

Filipinos are looked down upon. I want to change that perspective. People would think, “Oh, Filipino, they’re like this, they’re corrupt.” I want to tell them that we’re better than the rest or what they know. I want to set an example that we are just like other people who are striving hard to be better individuals, to change.

You seem to be very passionate about this.

I used to be discriminated against. I went on a foreign exchange program in Singapore for like six months, and I felt looked down upon. “Oh, you’re from the Philippines, your education mustn’t be so good.” It’s so annoying, right? That’s why I had to prove to them that I can be up to par.

You have plans of running a business someday?

I’d like to set up my own business, be corporate — maybe set up backpacker hostels because of my travels. I think that would be very profitable.

Richard Hwan, 22 IV – BA Broadcast Communications,UP Diliman @richardjuan

 Tell us about this modeling thing.

I’ve been doing modeling for eight months. It all started when I decided not to be active in a school org anymore — that’s when I found myself with Mercator. After that I had some fashion shows and some modeling gigs. For the opening number of Eat Bulaga, I had to hit the gong for six minutes. During that time, it was also the segment of “Foreignoy” for Eat Bulaga — for foreigners with pusong Pinoy. There was a talent scout there. I decided to join and the rest was history. 

How did you find out you were part of Chalk’s Bright Young Manila?

Someone called me and told me I was to be part of it. At that time, I was kind of known in a way and there were a bunch of prank texts. When I found out it was real, it was cool. Being part of it was quite an experience — meeting so many new people from different schools. Back then, most of my friends were from UP but now my network has kind of expanded.

What’s next for you?

Graduating first. The thing I’m really stressed out about now is my thesis. It’s about Eat Bulaga — my topic is about the relationship between the show and the advertisers. Hopefully, I’ll have more shows, guestings, and more acting.   

Stephan Krenn, 20 IV – Architecture, UST?@stephankrenn

 Tell me something about yourself.

You can just read me like an open book. I love to skateboard. I love football. I was baseball varsity in high school. I’m fun, crazy. I like to consider myself a weird guy, the black sheep in a crowd. It’s kind of sad. Ha ha!

Not always.

Right. I like being the black sheep. All my comedic stuff comes out of nowhere. When something happens, I try to make something fun out of it.

Your dream is to work for Pixar?

Right now, I’m taking up architecture but I’ve always wanted to take up animation in iAcademy. My parents wanted me to take up architecture. And they pretty much instilled it in me. I’m getting there. Everyone’s saying architecture is a good ground for anything.

Is there a concept playing in your head that you’d like to animate someday?

I’m more of the Tim Burton style — the dark side of reality. I want to portray that and show kids that not everything can be happy.

I’m curious about your last name. Are you a halfie?

My mom is from Antique. My dad’s from Amsterdam. I live in the more European way. I’m pretty much a daddy’s boy. It’s confusing to have dual heritage though because both my parents love to cook. I love food. They usually fight about who’s going to cook. And also the way of living is different. Europeans are hardcore, here it’s laidback. I’m pretty multi-cultural.

Patricia Go, 18 III – BA Communication Arts, Miriam College @patriciagondo

 What’s one thing we might not know about you?

I’m an only child. My dad left when I was in grade school. My mom and my dad went to New Zealand. They’re working there. Also, I want to be a top model. I want to join Binibining Pilipinas in the future.

What’s it like being an only child?

It’s boring but it’s fun because I get a lot of stuff from my parents. I started modeling when I was 13, professionally at 14. My first Fashion Week show was for Candie’s. But ngayon, for a college student, ang hirap i-balance. Start na ng thesis. First thesis ko  was about fan girls of One Direction.

What made you break out of your shell?

My own uniqueness. My chinita features. And I thought, “If it’s for me, it’s for me!”

What’s your dream project?

I want to have a billboard and come out in magazines.

Jorge Urquico, 19 III – BS HRIM, CSB?@jorgeurquico

 Have you always been the leader type?

Grade 5, I ran for the vice presidency and I won. Then I ran for SK chairman. Then when I was in high school, I ran for vice president. Then in college, I ran again.

Always the vice, never the president?

I’d rather be second in command.

Do you have plans of joining public service someday?

Yes, because of my family. They influenced me to be in this field. My family has been holding office in the barangay level for 25 years.

What’s the number one thing that has to change in the country?

Discipline of the people. We have laws, we have good ordinances but the implementation kasi, hindi masyadong maayos. Having a very strict leader is very effective to have a progressive country. If the leader is soft and hindi nasusunod, walang sense yung law.

What kind of leader do you think we should have?

Maybe the Marcos type. I love his strictness when it comes to leadership. Sa implementation, talagang go. When it comes to clean governance, for me, it’s P-Noy. I think it would be a combination of Aquino and Marcos.

What’s the best thing you learned about yourself with Bright Young Manila?

Confidence. It also changed my view with regards to hottie. Kasi diba pag-hottie, may abs, mukha, matangkad, perfect. Ako sobrang chubby, and then nakapasok pa ako and nanalo. Sobrang unexpected.

Eunice Bakunawa III – Marketing Management, San Beda College @eunicebakunawa

You love to sing. What’s your favorite song?

I actually don’t have a favorite song. Every song is my favorite. Is that a clichéd answer? ?

Who do you look up to singing-wise?

I love Taylor Swift, as clichéd as that sounds. Her lyrics speak to girls, you know?

Do you want to be a singer someday?

Given the opportunity, I’d love to perform for a living. I’ve been performing since I was a little girl — whether it be singing or theater. But I’m a practical person so I think I would fit very well into the corporate world as well. I’d like to pursue marketing or advertising because I’m talkative. I guess I would fit okay.

What was it like when you found out about Bright Young Manila?

I thought it would be like a short-term thing. I didn’t think we would go this far. Then when I found out that I was a part of the Top 14, I was like, okay. This is cool. Meeting everyone was the most memorable. You meet a lot of different people, from different schools, with

 different personalities. To see all of us and our personalities mixing with each other, it’s just really fun.

What did you learn about yourself in this process?

To be adventurous, that it’s okay to take risks and do whatever feels right.