She wouldn’t be hailed the “Popstar Royalty” for nothing. In the decades that she has been in the local entertainment scene, Sarah Geronimo has exhibited her formidable prowess as a multi-faceted performer who through her trending and highly talked about performances on TV and events, sold-out concerts, and chart-topping hits.
While she’s mostly well-known for being a great singer and dancer, her remarkable portrayals on television and films cannot be overlooked as well. Let us pay tribute to one of the country’s brightest and biggest stars by looking back at her stellar television journey as an ABS-CBN artist in this special feature!
Many may have presumed that the showbiz career of Sarah only started when she joined and won the reality singing competition “Star for a Night” in 2002. However, not a lot of people know that she already appeared in a few movies and TV shows prior to that momentous stint, such as in the youth-oriented comedy program “Ang TV” and in the 1995 live-action film adaptation of the classic children’s animated series “Sarah…Ang Munting Prinsesa”.
Little did she know that nine years later, she would topbill a show entitled “Sarah The Teen Princess” in 2004, which served as her teleserye debut. She played the ambitious and talented titular character, Sarah Alagao, who charmed us with her adorable personality and amazing singing skills. The following year, she joined the cast of the teen-oriented romance drama “SCQ Reload Kilig,” which was composed mostly by “Star Circle Teen Quest Season 1” finalists.
In 2006, she starred in the “Kwintas” episode of “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” which marked not only her first-ever appearance on the weekly drama anthology series, but also the first of her several collaborations with seasoned actor John Lloyd Cruz. As we all know, they were teamed up in four blockbuster hit romantic comedy flicks, namely, “A Very Special Love” (2008), “You Changed My Life” (2009), “It Takes A Man and A Woman” (2013), and “Finally Found Someone” (2017).
It was also in 2006 when she headlined “Bituing Walang Ningning,” the teleserye incarnation of the serialized comic strip-turned-film. She was reportedly handpicked by its creator, Nerissa Cabral, to take on the role of Dorina Pineda, originally played by the Megastar Sharon Cuneta.
Sarah was able to once again showcase her dramatic prowess in the series “Pangarap na Bituin” in the succeeding year, in which she co-starred alongside Maja Salvador and Rica Peralejo, who played her sisters. She further astounded viewers with her dramatic chops in her second MMK appearance through its “Dollhouse” episode.
Her last teleserye stint was the 2010 musical drama series “1DOL,” in which she was paired with Kapamilya Primetime King Coco Martin. Four years later, they got to work together again in the 2014 film “Maybe This Time”.
In 2012, she was tapped to host her own weekly evening musical program, “Sarah G. Live!”, through which she’s able to display not just her singing and dancing prowess but also her hosting stint.
The following year, she was tapped to be one of the coaches of the Philippine version of the popular global singing reality competition for its seven consecutive seasons, from the inaugural regular season of “The Voice of the Philippines” up to “The Voice Teen Season 2” in 2020.
After taking a break from showbiz for a few years to focus on her personal life, Sarah already made several guest appearances on ASAP Natin ‘To, usually to promote her live shows and new music. She has been part of the weekly musical variety program ever since her career fully took off two decades ago as one of its regular performers and hosts, not to mention being part of the iconic ASAP Champions.
The unparalleled greatness that she exudes in her every performance, as well as her huge influence as a public figure, didn’t go unnoticed for she earned nominations and recognitions from various award-giving bodies here and abroad. Among those were the FAMAS Awards Golden Artist (2009), the Best Asian Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards (2012), the MTV Europe Music Award for Best Southeast Asian Act (2014), the Best-Selling Filipino Artist at the World Music Awards (2016), and Best Asian Performer at the Classic Rock Roll of Honour Awards (2016). She also received her star on the Philippines’ Walk of Fame and the “Ambassador for Music” recognition from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).
Early in 2024, she received the Global Force Award during the Billboard Women in Music event held in Los Angeles, California.
May you continue to soar to the top and inspire people through your craft, Sarah G!
*Photos credit to ASAP Natin ‘To IG