With how grueling and complicated the world of show business could be, not to mention the never-ending competition, it’s indeed an incredible feat already if an artist is able to stay for several years. But what more if they’re able to keep their luster for almost three decades? Extremely unbelievable right?

While many young artists and neophytes are still aspiring to reach that milestone, there are already a number of stars who are already able to achieve it, such as the six Star Magic loyalty awardees who were recognized in the Star Magical Christmas Party  held last November 27, in light of the 30th anniversary celebration of ABS-CBN’s talent arm Star Magic this year.

Let’s take a look on their respective ever-shining and prolific showbiz careers in this Kapamilya Snaps feature!

 

Angelica Panganiban, 28 years

The artist with the longest stint in this list, Angelica is undoubtedly one of the best actresses of her generation – with ABS-CBN International Production Head and Director Ruel S. Bayani describing her as a “once in a lifetime kind of talent”.

She entered the entertainment scene at only six years old, with the iconic youth-oriented program Ang TV as her first-ever project. Some of her most notable works in the past 28 years include Familia Zaragoza (1996), G-Mik (1999), Maging Sino Ka Man (2007), Apoy Sa Dagat (2013), and Pangako Sa ‘Yo (2015). But the 36-year-old award-winning actress credits her 2010 series Rubi as one of her most important teleseryes as it allowed her to showcase her acting prowess as a bida-kontrabida.

After accepting her Star Magic Loyalty Award, Angelica advised the young talents present in the event that night, “Maging mabait kayo sa lahat. Huwag kayong puchu-puchung mga artista. Huwag kayong charot-charot. Ayusin n’yo from the beginning at gamitin n’yo ang talent ninyo.”

 

Kaye Abad, 26 years

Described as “professional, versatile, and trustworthy”, there’s no doubt that Kaye is able to keep her star shining in the past 26 years that she’s in the industry.

She started her acting career at 13 via Ang TV, but is best known for starring in the popular teen series Tabing Ilog, which ran from 1999 to 2003. The 40-year-old actress also appeared in a slew of Kapamilya programs, with her stints in Super Inggo (2006), Angelito: Batang Ama (2011), Angelito: Ang Bagong Yugto (2012), Annaliza (2013), Two Wives (2014), and Nang Ngumiti Ang Langit (2019).

Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to personally accept her Star Magic Loyalty Award, but she promised her fans through a video call, “I hope to be back soon.” 

 

Shaina Magdayao, 25 years

As a kid, Shaina used to entertain the fans of her oldest sister, Vina Morales. And she’s also able to get a loyal following of her own when she started her own career in 1995!

She joined the local entertainment scene when she was only seven years old, with the 1999 soap opera Marinella as one of her early TV projects. Its director FM Reyes easily got impressed by her performance, regarding her as “very intelligent” because of how brilliant she is when it comes to memorizing lines. 

Through the years, the 33-year-old actress got to shine in her teleseryes, like Jim Fernandez’s Kambal Sa Uma (2009), Rubi (2010), Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Alyna (2010), Nathaniel  (2015), The Better Half (2017), Asintado (2018), and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano (2020-2022).

Shaina further expressed her gratitude in an Instagram post, “After a few (failed) attempts to quit and run away from the biz, andito pa din ako and this wouldn’t have been possible if it weren’t for the people behind me.”

 

Dimples Romana, 25 years

From playing supporting characters, she finally got her well-deserved and much-awaited breakthrough after 23 years when she portrayed the now-iconic teleserye kontrabida Daniela Mondragon in the controversial series Kadenang Ginto that ran from 2018 to 2020. 

Just in case you don’t know yet or you have forgotten, she made her TV debut via the classic 1997 soap opera Esperanza. Since then, she got cast in a slew of series that include Lobo (2008), Only You (2009), Rod Santiago’s Agua Bendita  (2010), Emil Cruz Jr.’s Mara Clara (2010), And I Love You So (2015), The Greatest Love (2016), Bagani (2018), Huwag Kang Mangamba (2021), Viral Scandal (2021), and The Iron Heart (present).

“I was happy and content doing support for many of my friends, characters that tagged me as best friend ng bayan, mommy of the upcoming stars … I was trained early on that no role is too small,” Dimples wrote on Instagram. This mindset has indeed helped her get to where she is today, as well as to earn the respect of those she got to work with in the past 25 years.

 

Dominic Ochoa, 25 years

One of the hottest matinee idols of his generation, Dominic actually didn’t expect to become an actor, especially that his father initially objected his career choice. Now, he is one of the few recipients of the Star Magic Loyalty Award for his 25 years under the agency. 

Like everyone in this list, he, too, had many memorable TV appearances, such as Whattamen (2001), My Super D (2016), Ngayon At Kailanman (2018), and Huwag Kang Mangamba (2021). But his most notable work was the 2009 well-loved series May Bukas Pa, wherein he played the role of a priest who took good care of Santino. His beloved wife disclosed that “he would always get thrilled when people remember his name as Father Jose.”

Dominic further talked about his career in Instagram post, which he captioned, “I never really dreamt of being in showbiz. I guess it was really destined to happen, and I’m thankful.”

 

Nikki Valdez, 25 years

Last, but definitely not the least is Nikki, who is one of those multi-faceted artists who can sing, dance, and act. So, it’s no surprise that she’s able to build a career that spans more than two decades. 

Director Andoy Ranay regarded her as an artist who’s “hindi mahirap hanapan ng role”, which is proven by her long list of TV gigs, such as Lobo (2008), Imortal (2010), La Luna Sangre (2017), A Soldier’s Heart (2020), and Bagong Umaga (2020).

One of the 43-year-old actress’ most recent projects is Flower Of Evil, which is a proof of the trust that the company and fans still have on her, as well as her undying love and support for ABS-CBN. 

She said in her “thank you” speech, “Thank you to my Star Magic family for recognizing my contribution to the industry and the company that has provided for me and my family the past 25 years.”

Despite the challenges that they’ve gone through in their personal lives in the past decades, as well as of ABS-CBN in the recent years, it is indeed truly delighting that these stars still chose to trust Star Magic with their careers and keep their solid ties with the company, which has been their home ever since the beginning.

They may have already reached this incredible milestone, yet there still no doubt that the careers of these Kapamilya stars have even more years ahead of them. Thus, let us continue showing them love and support in their future endeavors!