Amidst the darkness enveloping us at present due to the various struggles we have to confront this 2020, we’ve still found a lot of reasons to celebrate and be happy about. Just like the eight Star Magic artists and new talents who renewed and signed their exclusive contract to ABS-CBN last Friday, December 4 through an event dubbed Star Magic Shines On.
IN PHOTOS: Star Magic artists who chose to stay on as Kapamilya
Over 25,000 Kapamilyas from different parts of the world witnessed the momentous grand welcoming ceremony spearheaded by the network’s top executives, namely Chairman Mark Lopez, President and Chief Executive Officer Carlo L. Katigbak, Chief Operating Officer Cory V. Vidanes, Chief Finance Officer Rick Tan, and the concurrent head of both Entertainment Production and Star Magic Laurenti Dyogi. Hosting the event was TV Patrol’s Gretchen Fullido, while it was MJ Felipe who was in-charge of interviewing each of them afterwards.
The first one to grace the occasion was the up-and-coming Pinoy Pop group BINI, with Jhoanna representing them as she was the one who sat along the top executives and signed their contract.
Asked by MJ regarding what they felt about signing the contract, member Stacey conveyed, “Sobrang kinakabahan po, and at the same time super grateful kasi sobrang dami pong opportunities and of course, alam naman namin pong girls lahat ng pinaghirapan po namin. And yes, super thankful din po at the same time.”
When quizzed regarding the different flavor they’re going to give the public through their music, Jhoanna retorted, “Ngayon po, ‘yong pre-debut song po namin, ‘yong flavor ng song po na ‘yon is cutie-cutie po, fresh, young. And siguro ‘yong mga susunod po, marami po kasi kaming ibibigay sa inyo. Abangan na lang po ‘yong mga next po na ibibigay namin.”
With regards to their crushes among the Star Magic talents, member Maloi didn’t hesitate to profess her admiration for the King of Hearts Daniel Padilla. Member Aiah shared that it was Kim Chiu, Kathryn Bernardo, and Bea Alonzo who are her girl crushes, while it’s Robi Domingo for Jhoanna.
Succeeding them was the Star Hunt Academy Boys, who was represented by Mikki. In their conversation with MJ, member Akira expressed how overwhelmed and grateful they are of the unwavering support and love of their fans and the people around them even though they’re yet to be launched next month.
“Actually, sobrang nakakataba po ng puso kasi ‘yon nga po, ‘di pa kami officially launched as a group pero nakikilala na po kami ng mga tao kaya thank you po sa inyo, sobrang thank you po sa mga bosses, sa mga staff kasi tinutulungan nila kami mag-grow as a person and as a performer po. Kaya po sobrang laki po ng pasasalamat sa inyo, lalo na po sa mga supporters po namin na sila po ‘yong dahilan kung bakit kami namo-motivate at mas nag-iigi po kami sa trabaho na ginagawa namin,” he stated.
Then Mikki added, “Sobrang thankful po na na-appreciate nila ‘yong mga hardwork po namin kasi trina-training po namin ‘yon ng matagal, nire-rehearse po namin nang matagal ‘yong mga performances po namin. Nakakatuwa po na na-appreciate po ng mga tao ‘yong hardwork namin.”
Next was JM de Guzman, one of the lead stars of the upcoming series Init Sa Magdamag, who described how this year’s contract signing felt totally different from the previous ones he did.
“Iba ‘yong feeling ngayon. Mas overwhelming and ‘yong spirits ng mga tao sa paligid mo, sobrang taas. Well, as compared sa before, parang another day in the office, pirma, alis. Ngayon iba e, parang mayro’ng redemption,” he related.
Concurrent host of Pinoy Big Brother Connect and iWant ASAP Robi Domingo also renewed his contract. When asked how he feels having Direk Lauren as the newest manager of Star Magic, he said, “I feel so parang comfortable with Direk Lauren. He’s my father sa ABS-CBN. Siya ‘yong unang naka-discover sa’kin because of PBB. And now that he’s part of Star Magic, parang mas lalong naging komportable ako sa mga gagawin ko at sa lahat ng pwede kong magawa sa loob ng pamilya ko sa Star Magic.”
His PBB Connect co-host Enchong Dee signed another fresh contract as a Kapamilya as well, implying that he didn’t have to think about it as he considers it as his home. He uttered, “Ang laki ng pagpapasalamat ko. Parang ito na naman, panibagong yugto dahil pinagkatiwalaan ka ng network mo.”
Taking a break from their on-going lock-in taping, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin stars Joseph Marco and Kira Balinger went to the ABS-CBN compound for their contract signing too!
For Joseph, this year’s contract signing is bittersweet due to the circumstances that the management had to face.
“For the past couple of years, na-experience namin mag-sign. But this one, para siyang bittersweet. From the things na pinagdaanan ng management, but we’re still here, we’re standing, and we’re hoping na it’s gonna be good in the future. I’m just really thankful and blessed to be given this opportunity,” he stated.
Then he continued, “I’m really happy with Star Magic – how they take care of me, how they manage us – talagang wala akong masasabi. It’s just that, unfortunately, things happened. And up until now, my loyalty is with [ABS-CBN] and Star Magic talaga.”
Meanwhile, Kira wasn’t alone in marking this significant moment in her life as her on-screen partner Grae Fernandez arrived as well to surprise and accompany her.
WATCH: Kira gets kilig surprise from Grae in Star Magic signing event
When asked if being part of Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin has made her feel that her time has finally come, she admitted that it somehow does. “Somehow. With everything that I do, every project that I get, I’m just so grateful because it’s another learning experience for me.”
Grae also joined her brief chikahan with MJ and expressed how happy he is for her and for their continuously blossoming closeness because of the show. The newest loveteam is seemingly keen to the possibility of taking their relationship to a higher level in the future, based on Kira’s answer and Grae’s noticeable unbreakable gaze at her.
Teen star Andrea Brillantes also had her contract renewed and was surprised by her loveteam partner Seth Fedelin through a video greeting.
WATCH: Andrea receives heartwarming words from Seth in kilig video message as she signs Star Magic contract
“Grabe, dito na talaga ako lumaki, kahit ‘di talaga ako physically lumaki. Dito na talaga ako ever since I was 8 or 9 or 10. Goin’ Bulilit days pa po talaga,” she enthused during her interview with MJ. She also divulged that The Gold Squad will have exciting changes and will be finally reunited soon, and reminded us to not miss the upcoming series “Huwag Kang Mangamba” that she’s going to top-bill alongside The Gold Squad and other top-caliber thespians in the industry.
Days after celebrating her 22nd birthday, Jane de Leon marked another important milestone in her life as she’s one of the Star Magic talents who inked a new contract. Besides, it was also announced that the Darna TV series she will topbill is slated to be aired next year.
WATCH: Jane de Leon, ‘excited and nervous’ as Darna confirmed as a TV series in 2021
“Feel blessed pa rin ako at ‘yong tiwala nila sa akin, I’m so happy pa rin. Mixed emotions ako kanina e.’ ‘Yong nangingibabaw lang talaga sa’kin ‘yong kasiyahan. And excited ako sa mga darating pa na chapters,” she expressed during her conversation with MJ.
Then she added, “Grabe ‘yong pasasalamat ko talaga sa mga boss kasi until now ‘yong tiwala nila sa’kin na ibigay nila sa’kin ‘yong bato.”
According to Jane, she’s been back on training for Darna and there’s another project lined up for her aside from the said series. She also extended her gratitude to all her supporters and told the non-believers (or bashers) that she actually understands their sentiments towards her for she’s doubtful of herself as well.
Last, but definitely not the least was Kim Chiu, who enthusiastically expressed how happy she is for staying as a Kapamilya during her contract renewal alongside the top executives.
“Ngayon lang ako naiyak. Siguro kasi masyadong ang daming nangyari. Doon ako nasubok. Maraming magandang opportunities, but I chose to be a Kapamilya,” she told MJ.
Then she continued, “No’ng lockdown nasa bahay lang tayo and then na-realize ko na itong bahay na ‘to galing ‘to sa ABS-CBN. Kung hindi dahil sa ABS-CBN, sa Pinoy Big Brother, wala akong bahay na gano’n. Parang ‘yon ‘yong naging basehan ko tapos nakikita ko ‘yong mga kapatid ko, okay naman sila tapos na sila sa pag-aaral, may kanya-kanya na silang pamilya. And that’s all because of ABS-CBN.”
When asked by a member of the press what made her decide to stay as a Kapamilya, the concurrent It’s Showtime host explained, “Siguro may kanya-kanya rin naming decisions ‘yong bawat artist and irespeto natin ‘yong desisyon na ginawa nila. But for me, I am happy na nandito ako as a Star Magic artist ever since. ‘Di ko alam pero parang gusto ko dito na ako lumaki and alam ko kung paano sila mag-alaga.”
“Si Direk Lauren naman is really sobrang maalaga talaga na tao and tatay siya ng marami dito sa’min sa showbiz industry. Kaya I am happy, no doubt. Parang no’ng sinabi na si Direk Lauren, sabi ko ‘Wow, go. Star Magic tayo. Tatak Star Magic’.”
Click on this video to see the highlights of this momentous event for every Kapamilya!