I was in Cebu last August 8, 2010 when TV5 held its screening for its upcoming reality-based talent search program, Star Factor, and I was lucky to talk to and take photos of some of the teen showbiz hopefuls before and after they faced the panel of judges (Direk Audie Gemora, Direk Joey Reyes, Raymund Isaac, Ryan Cayabyab, and Annabelle Rama).
There were more than 50 young showbiz aspirants who faced the judges (or the Star Makers, as they would be known in the soon-to-be-launched TV show) that day and they were those who were shortlisted from the hundreds of Davao and Cebu auditionees. 12 Star Factor candidates from Davao were flown in by TV5 to Cebu that day for the scheduled presentation to the judges. According to a Star Factor production staff, the Davao and Cebu applicants who will pass the judges' screening will be flown in to Manila to be pitted against the screened Manila applicants for the last leg of pre-screening for the show's top 24 or 18 finalists (number of finalists still to be deliberated based on schedule of airing and targeted grand finals night).
Some of the judges admit that they find more "lookers" or "artistahin" among the Cebu and Davao crop of showbiz hopefuls. They finished the Manila screening earlier and they disclosed that they didn't see as much potential in the Manila applicants compared to those they saw in Cebu and Davao. Majority of the 12 shortlisted Davao candidates earned the judges' nod because they're not only good looking and talented, they also speak better Tagalog than the Cebuano contestants, who speak mostly Bisaya and English and have difficulty in Tagalog.
Anyway, here are some of the pics of the young showbiz hopefuls whom I think have the potential to make it as Star Factor top finalists. These are just my personal selections but I'm hoping the judges would more or less choose these kids. I got to talk to some of them and I already wish they could be honed as future stars.
Davaoeno hopefuls in Cebu:
Here are my personal picks among the Star Factor candidates from Davao.
Left to right - Bushra Samarah, Alvin Lowell Zapanta, Victor Mari Salvador, Nikita Pia McElroy (the curly haired girl at the back), Nica Dorothea Tupas, Kyru Cabading, Lucky Mae Braza, Irjana Xy-za Arcena, Ariza Karla Oliver, and Ellaine Beshay.
This is 14-year-old Kyru Cabading, also from Davao (though he came from Florida already when his family moved there. He and his father just went back to the Philippines because he really wants to try it in show business). He and his two other siblings share the same birthday (same day, different year). He played the guitar and sang Taylor Swif't's Love Story when he faced the judges.
Bushra Samarah, also from Davao. She's half-German, half-Filipino and also very pretty in person
These two are from Cebu and I think they got the judges' approval. The girl, Nadia, looked very pretty on camera and so did the guy, Fidel. He was just advised to lose a little weight.
There were more than 50 young showbiz aspirants who faced the judges (or the Star Makers, as they would be known in the soon-to-be-launched TV show) that day and they were those who were shortlisted from the hundreds of Davao and Cebu auditionees. 12 Star Factor candidates from Davao were flown in by TV5 to Cebu that day for the scheduled presentation to the judges. According to a Star Factor production staff, the Davao and Cebu applicants who will pass the judges' screening will be flown in to Manila to be pitted against the screened Manila applicants for the last leg of pre-screening for the show's top 24 or 18 finalists (number of finalists still to be deliberated based on schedule of airing and targeted grand finals night).
Some of the judges admit that they find more "lookers" or "artistahin" among the Cebu and Davao crop of showbiz hopefuls. They finished the Manila screening earlier and they disclosed that they didn't see as much potential in the Manila applicants compared to those they saw in Cebu and Davao. Majority of the 12 shortlisted Davao candidates earned the judges' nod because they're not only good looking and talented, they also speak better Tagalog than the Cebuano contestants, who speak mostly Bisaya and English and have difficulty in Tagalog.
Anyway, here are some of the pics of the young showbiz hopefuls whom I think have the potential to make it as Star Factor top finalists. These are just my personal selections but I'm hoping the judges would more or less choose these kids. I got to talk to some of them and I already wish they could be honed as future stars.
Here are my personal picks among the Star Factor candidates from Davao.
Left to right - Bushra Samarah, Alvin Lowell Zapanta, Victor Mari Salvador, Nikita Pia McElroy (the curly haired girl at the back), Nica Dorothea Tupas, Kyru Cabading, Lucky Mae Braza, Irjana Xy-za Arcena, Ariza Karla Oliver, and Ellaine Beshay.
This is Nikita Pia McElroy of Davao, half-African American and half-Filipina. She's really pretty in person and seems genuinely nice.
This is 14-year-old Kyru Cabading, also from Davao (though he came from Florida already when his family moved there. He and his father just went back to the Philippines because he really wants to try it in show business). He and his two other siblings share the same birthday (same day, different year). He played the guitar and sang Taylor Swif't's Love Story when he faced the judges. 
Bushra Samarah, also from Davao. She's half-German, half-Filipino and also very pretty in person 
Irjana Xy-za Arcena of Davao. Annabelle Rama saw her outside during the break and told her to remove the big beady necklace she wore which, according to the Star Factor judge, made her look older. True enough, Irjana looked fresh and cute when she removed her necklace.
I didn't get the full names of these four but I think they're from Cebu. The guy holding the number 3079 is cute and has a nice built. His name is Benjo and he reminds me of Taylor Lautner (Jacob Black of the hit Twilight movie series)
John Hammond Jr. from Cebu
Another one of my personal picks. This guy is cute, has bright eyes and a charming smile. He did an arnis act and took off his shirt in front of the judges. He has an open wound on his foot from a sommersault he did during practice earlier. His name is Daryll Ian Sayson and he's from Cebu also. One setback is that he doesn't speak Tagalog very well.
These two are from Cebu and I think they got the judges' approval. The girl, Nadia, looked very pretty on camera and so did the guy, Fidel. He was just advised to lose a little weight.
I didn't get the name of this guy but he was one of those who caught my attention outside the screening area.
More random pics:
See who among these teens will make it to the final list of Star Factor contestants. Star Factor will be hosted by Ruffa Gutierrez and premieres this September on TV5.