Around 15 years ago, many of us were probably hooked on the most popular reality talent search in the country at that time – Star Circle Quest – as we devotedly followed the journey of its Magic Circle of 10 and showed our unwavering support to the “Questor” who we thought deserved to be hailed as the inaugural Grand Teen Questor.
With only almost half of them have remained active in show business, while the others have opted to live a simple and quiet life away from the limelight, let’s find out how their lives had been in the past years and how they are doing at present in this episode of Kapamilya Snaps!
Hero Angeles
As he was able to impress the jurors and viewers with his good looks and unmistakable talent, it was Hero who clinched the highly coveted “Grand Teen Questor” title. He instantly shot to fame and went on to appear in a slew of television and movie projects along with his loveteam partner and runner-up Sandara Park, such as “Bcuz Of U” (2004) and “Can This Be Love” (2005).
However, he suddenly chose to take a break from showbiz to pursue his studies and other passions like miniature food sculptures. He made his comeback through his stints in Maalaala Mo Kaya and in the controversial primetime drama Halik in 2018 as the gay lawyer Atty. Ken Mature.
Sandara Park
She might have fell short in winning the competition, but many of us still considers her as a big winner because of triumphantly capturing the hearts of many Filipinos through her unique charm, earning her the moniker “Pambansang Krung-Krung.”
Her career in the local entertainment scene may not have lasted long, but Sandara surprised us and made us proud when she became a part of the Korean pop girl group 2NE1 that swept the whole world, especially the Philippines, from their debut in 2009 up to their disbandment in 2016 (and continues to do so at present as solo artists). Despite her busyness and success as a Hallyu idol, she has never forgotten her Pinoy fans and friends as she visits the Philippines often and even accepted the offer to become a judge of Pinoy Boyband Superstar in 2016 and to have a cameo in the LizQuen movie “My Ex and Whys” in 2016.
Roxanne Guinoo
Being the third placer didn’t hinder Roxanne from claiming a spot in the local entertainment scene. She appeared in several teleseryes and movies, with her starring stints in Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos (2007) and Ligaw Na Bulaklak (2008) as her most notable projects.
She took a step back from showbiz to focus on being a mom and wife to her family and occasionally appears in a number of dramas, with her special participation in The General’s Daughter being the most recent.
Joross Gamboa
Among the 10 SCQ Season 1 alumni, it’s obviously Joross who is the most omnipresent in their batch. Ever since the contest ended, he has appeared in innumerable TV programs and movies, with his supporting stints as the bestfriend of John Lloyd Cruz’s characters in “A Very Special Love” (2008), “You Changed My Life” (2009), “My Amnesia Girl” (2010), and “It Takes A Man And Woman” (2013), as well as in La Luna Sangre and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano as some of his bests.
Last year, aside from being one of the casts of the box-office hit “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” he tried his chops in screenwriting and directing through the iWant Originals movie “Allergy In Love.” He also now has a family of his own, sharing two adorable sons with his non-showbiz wife.
Melissa Ricks
She may only be fifth in the ranking, but she’s still able to create her mark in the industry through her remarkable appearances in Kambal Sa Uma (2009) and Nasaan Ka, Elisa? (2011), which she both top-billed, and in Walang Hanggan wherein she served as the third wheel to the characters of Coco Martin and Julia Montes.
During her time off showbiz, she focuses on taking good care of her unica hija Kiera and in creating content for her YouTube channel. She went back to acting via the weekend drama 24/7 that Julia Montes headlined.
Neri Naig-Mirand
Falling short on her run to the Magic Circle of 5, Neri kept on treading the showbiz path and landed roles in a handful of projects, such as the 2015 series All Of Me and the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “All You Need Is Pag-ibig.”
She’s been out of the spotlight for years now and currently juggles her life as a dutiful homemaker to Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda and their son, as a hands-on businesswoman, and a vlogger sharing videos about cooking, gardening, and anything under the sun.
Errol Ablaya
Arguably, many of us couldn’t already recall him since his journey in the Star Circle Quest was cut short after getting eliminated. He decided to continue his studies afterwards and successfully earned a degree in accounting.
At present, Errol works as a Client Relations Supervisor in a real estate company and is a proud father and happy husband.
Michelle Madriga
Despite exiting early on in the competition, Michelle was still able to land roles in hit teleseryes like Spirits (2004), Vietnam Rose (2005), and Maging Sino Ka Man (2006). Prior to migrating to the US to pursue a Culinary Internship in 2016, she did the Pinoy remake of Pasion De Amor.
Along with her roles as a mom and wife, she’s also a wellness coach specializing on pre/postnatal. She also runs a YouTube channel in which she uploads fitness and health videos.
Joseph Bitangco
He may not be able to make it up to the last phase of the contest, but Joseph was still able to impress a lot with his charm and talent, thus, enabling him to score a number of TV and movie roles.U pon the discovery of his romance with Sandara, they were paired in a few projects, such as 2006’s Crazy For You and “D’ Lucky Ones.”
In the recent years, he seems to spend most of his time with his wife of four years Franchesca Tonson and their two children. He was seen again on the small screen via his special participation in The General’s Daughter as the young counterpart of Albert Martinez’s character.
Raphael Martinez
He may have failed to show more of him in the talent search, but Raphael was still able to bag roles in teleseryes Ikaw Lang Ang Lahat Sa Akin (2005) opposite Shaina Magdayao and Sa Piling Mo (2006) alongside Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual.
Eventually, he decided to shy away from showbiz and live a private life. His Facebook profile suggests that he currently works in a real estate company and owns a small business.
So, who among these Questors you used to root for before? And who do you miss the most among them?