MANILA, Philippines - JUST A THOUGHT: Oft expectation fails, and most oft there where most it promises. - William Shakespeare
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END STARSTRUCK: Mark Herras, the first ever winner of reality show ''Starstruck,'' is also the first to agree that ''Starstruck,'' as a franchise, should hang its gloves.
After five editions of the successful reality series, ''Starstruck'' has finally bowed out. Taking its place is ''Protégé,'' which is now on its second season on GMA-7.
During a conversation at the blessing and inauguration of GMA Bicol TV in Naga City recently, 25-year-old Mark said that it isn't fair among previous winners of the contest to be sideswiped in their attempt at stardom. ''Di na napapansin'' is how he put it.
Meanwhile, during the launch of ''Protégé'' season 2 recently, network executive Annette Gozon-Abrogar said it's time to start a fresh, new slate in talent search.
The network, she said, opted to close ''Starstruck'' with finality to give way to something new and more exciting. That's the way it is, it seems, on local TV. You always have to offer something new. Old hats die fast and are thrown into the bin of yesterday.
Unfortunately, the same thinking applies when it comes to the longevity of TV actors. They're here today and quickly gone tomorrow.
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PROTÉGÉ PROS AND CONS: At the press presentation of the 20 young hopefuls that make up the current batch of ''Protégé'' finalists, not a few members of media expressed dissatisfaction at the quality of the entries.
Without comparing the batch with contestants from a rival show, they found the candidates wanting in the area of personality, although many are long in talent.
The observation redounds to a never-ending debate whether or not beauty should preface talent, or which one, at first blush, is more important between the two. In the end, where viewers are concerned, isn't beauty the primary factor that attracts and commands following?
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BACKGROUND CHECK: Here are a few excerpts from our conversations with several ''Protégé'' finalists on the night (August 5) when they were introduced to media.
Fifteen-year-old Kelly D., a high school graduate from Subic, Zambales, is crying over the loss due to floods in Pasig of her song compositions. An aspiring singer-composer, Kelly is a budding musician at 4-ft-11. She is working hard to recollect her thoughts, so she can re-compose her lost songs, which she hopes to record into an album.
Glenn Roy, 18, is from Tarlac, born to a military family. It seemed but natural that he enrolled in a Criminology course, which he has abandoned to favor his entertainment ambitions.
Jeric Gonzales has finished a degree in Nursing at 19 but would rather act than nurse.
Reese Tayag, 16, hasn't heard of the Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon. She temporarily dropped out of a Business Administration course in Central Luzon.
Vien Alan King is an old soul from Tiaong, Quezon, who sings classic OPM hits.
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GOOD WORD FOR MENTORS: The ''Protégé'' finalists come from different backgrounds. They were one, however, in chorusing that they owe a lot to their celebrity mentors. Their mentors have been both honest and mean, straightforward and caring as they imparted lessons on how to act, sing, and generally behave before the cameras and the public.
The mentors who were sent out to different parts of the country to find their four (2 boys and 2 girls) protégés include Phillip Salvador (Mindanao), Jolina Magdangal (Visayas), Ricky Davao (Northern and Central Luzon), Gina Alajar (Southern Luzon), and Roderick Paulate (Mega Manila).
(nescuar@yahoo.com)
