STARS. Finalists to the Search for the Star in a Million pose with organizaers and judges during the program’s press presentation at Robinsons Starmills. Photo by Bong Lacson
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – “An unbelievable showcase of talents,” is how one describes the first ever reality talent show in the region aired over Central Luzon Television 36 (CLTV36).
Sixteen finalists in the talent search “Star Mill: Central Luzon’s Search for the Star in a Million” were presented to the press on Wednesday at the Il Padrino Café at Robinson’s Starmills here.
The talent search is hosted on CLTV 36 by Andy Alviz, a renowned Filipino musician who has done choreography for regional productions of several musicals including Miss Saigon and who is also the founder of the popular Kapampangan musical group ArtiSta. Rita that promotes traditional music through original compositions.
The top 16 finalists were selected from 40 contestants coming from all over Central Luzon. Four will emerge winners from the 16 finalists who will receive an unprecedented P6.8 million in overall prizes.
CLTV general manager Sonia Soto said the regional talent search tops national competitions which have a ceiling of only P2 million in prizes.
Soto said Star Mill has a total of P11 million production costs including prizes. She said the grand winner will take home P3.5 million worth of prizes including a brand new house and lot from Amber Homes, a brand new Haima 2 car from Haima Automobile Philippines, a one year contract with CLTV 36, P100,000 cash from Robinson’s Land Corp., a Home Theater System from Robinson’s Appliance Center, two round trip tickets to Macau from Cebu Pacific, P200,000 worth of skin care services from Ellen’s Aesthetic Center, and a four-year full scholarship from CelTech College.
Among the early favorites were the dancing group from Lubao, Pampanga the “Snap Boys” who thrill the audience with different acrobatic feats in their choreography including somersaults, backflips and incredible leaps without losing a step in their routine; the singing group “Acapella Go!” from Malolos, Bulacan where one of its member is a beatbox artist who mimics a band using only his mouth, lips and tongue; and magician Mark Alfonso from Macabebe, Pampanga who mesmerized the audience with his sleight of hand and mastery of card tricks.
Jodee Pineda-Arroyo, regional operations manager of Robinson’s Starmills, Angeles and Malolos, said in order to attract good talents there is a need to give out good prizes since this is the first time in the region.
She said there was cooperation with the retail groups like Handyman, Robinson’s Appliance Center, Big R Supermarket, Robinson’s Department Store and even Cebu Pacific which are all under the Gokongwei Group of Companies.
The other finalists are singer Andy Pangan of Apalit, Pampanga; singer Ma. Amparo Tensuan of Cabanatuan City; singer Eliza Marie Arnaiz of Plaridel, Bulacan; singer Sherlette Bermudo of Balanga, Bataan; singer Reynold Gomez of the City of San Fernando; singer Ruchelle Manalang of Magalang, Pampanga; Jeneal Mariano of the City of San Fernando; vocalist Rozette Fabros of Macabebe, Pampanga; singer Angelica Bianca Lapuz of Mexico, Pampanga; singer-musician Michelle Mei Manguerra of Guagua, Pampanga; singer Awit Garcia of Sta. Ana, Pampanga; Daniel Ombao of Mariveles, Bataan; and singer Michelle Valenzuela of Concepcion, Tarlac who joined the top 15 finalists after a last minute judging.
The judges are multi-awarded choreographer Joebee Henson, Aliw-Awardee recording artist and comedian Ara Muna, multi-awarded record producer and composer Ben Escasa, Laus Group VP and COO Lisset Laus-Velasco, and Star Mill executive producer and co-founder, senior writer and musical director of ArtiSta. Rita Randy Del Rosario.
