15 Young Male stars with Potential to be Finest Actors in Showbizlandia

With the popularity of reality shows and  different online platforms, it’s easier now to become a celebrity. However you should have certain qualities if you intend to sustain and to have own mark in showbiz. For me, acting skill/ talent is a lucrative asset that any movie/ TV stars should possess.  Acting can be innate talent or a skill that you can develop through the years. I’m sure award-winning actors like Christopher De Leon, Joel Torre, Piolo Pascual, Dennis Trillo, Jericho Rosales, Coco Martin, and John Lloyd Cruz also went through hard times before they become best.   So who among young actors, below 30 years old, have so much potential for you?  Below  are  the ones (arranged according to age by batch) I see with much potential SO FAR:

Alden Richards, 26

Some people compare him to John Lloyd Cruz and since I watched numerous films of the latter hmmm...

                I think somehow in gestures(gentleness) and  fashion statement, but in terms of total package Alden has something else to offer. I watched him before AlDub become phenomenal and I could say he’s good in Alakdana, Carmella, and Mundo Mo’y Akin.   Furthermore, he already won best actor trophy for his portrayal in Ilustrado.

He’s also good in hosting so puwede kaya ‘yong talk show na ala The Penthouse Live na sila ni Maine Mendoza ang hosts? 

As for the acting side, I think he should be braver in taking more challenging roles not only in the small screen, but also in the big screen.   He should while he has this popularity and legion of fans to support no matter what.   I hope he tries to explore doing indie film (Cinemalaya entry) or under different movie outfits if GMA Films can't produce yet. Spring Films (he’s a friend of Bb. Joyce Bernal 'di ba?), Reality Entertainment (Erik Matti), and IdeaFirst Company (Jun Lana) are good indie film company with good connections and impressive films.

Trivia: Piolo Pascual is a grandslam actor (the last one who did it aside from then child actor Jiro Manio) at 26. That's because of  his impressive job in the 2003 film Dekada ’70.

Ken Chan, 25

I am fond of actors who are ready to accept super challenging roles and do the best that they can to deliver stunning performance.  Destiny Rose definitely introduced me to Ken Chan. This handsome good looking guy suffered wearing high heels, dresses, heavy make-ups, and more to satisfy his audience.  Kahit ako na babae ay hirap sa mga ganyan mga damit huh! As for acting, he's absolutely very good.

I also watched Meant To Be a couple of times out of curiosity and because of him. I wanted to know if Ken can convince me that he’s not the actor in Destiny Rose. As Yuan Cruz Lee, definitely Ken proved he can be a different person for every role he portrays. Keep it up Ken!  I think it’s now how you gonna improve your craft and the kinds of project your management will give to you.  

I think bagay sa kanya ang agent/assasin like sa Bourne Supremacy and Alias as he can and able to transform.

Daniel Padilla, 23

Sure Daniel Padilla is a very popular young actor today. He has strings of successful projects with or without his perennial love team partner Kathryn Bernardo (They’re known KathNiel) since 2011.  But besides of his face, popular love team, and fandom – I think his best edge among his contemporaries is his acting prowess.  

Actually if you talk to me before 2014 and I surely will not bother to know him.  My perspective only changed after I watched She’s Dating The Gangster (here’s my movie review). I’m supposed to just watch it because it’s a feel good film, but he impressed me not only in “pakilig moments”, but ultimately in drama scenes. It also made me realize “he’s not the nephew of Robin Padilla, he’s the young actor Daniel Padilla.”

                In Barcelona: A Love Untold (here’s my review), I confirmed what I noticed in She’s Dating… that’s why I’m not surprised that he bagged best actor awards from FAMAS and PMPC Star Awards for Movies.  I hope that he continues to do dramas than action

Trivia:  When he’s 23 years old, Dennis Trillo was an almost grandslam actor thanks to his effective portrayal of cross-dressing spy in Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita

Joshua Garcia, 21

Joshua is another young actor being compared to John Lloyd Cruz. Actually that issue triggered me to know him more and my niece who is a fan of JoshLia (Joshua and Julia Barretto love team). But something changed when I saw him in Barcelona:  A Love Untold. Yes, you there's JLC aura in him, but he has own brand of dramedy acting too.  As I mentioned in my reviews of Barcelona and Vince and Kath and James, he has depth and maloko side. His portrayal in both films were fantastic and I couldn’t think of any actor who can do the same attack that also entertains me.  JLC in My Amnesia Girl? No, he’s sort of persuasive there, not an entertaining mischievous lad.

I also watched The Good Son, which for me was a best project to test his star power (as well as Nash Aguas, Jerome Ponce, and Mccoy De Leon). But I don’t know why, I noticed the flow of the story and characters/ portrayals of Nash and Mccoy more than his acting. Perhaps because of the characterization.   

I have no other suggestions for Joshua I want him to surprise us with his next acting pieces.  I just want to commend him and Julia for doing cool projects solo or together.  

Ruru Madrid 20

For his age, his built suits for a hunk actor image and yet, he’s doing roles that fit for wholesome leading man. This is actually a unique “brand” that his management can play around and can use to boost his star.  Being a hunk with talent in acting and sweet image allows actor like Jericho Rosales to accept a variety of roles. Even Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis have this edge – being known seksi but with friendly and sweet image.        

I saw him in the Let the Love Begin (OMG my 3-year old nephew knew the song because of the series), Naku, Boss Ko, and Encantadia.  Based on these three projects, he can be versatile and deliver different types of acting if you ask him to do it.  I see his chemistry with Gabbi Garcia as well as with Kylie Padilla.  For now, I think it’s a nice move that he concentrates on actions and be paired with Kylie. This is not only because of the success of Encantadia, but because of the challenge to do action/ thriller that far from mere drama. Anyway, para saan ang muscles if he will not going to flex it on screen 'di ba?  

I hope he tries edgier roles like a serial killer, a criminal, or psychopath. Let him run without special effects that makes him a silent hero without superpower.  Let him do projects with feels indie (use of indie directors), but produced by mainstream outfits. If I am his manager and Alden, iibahin ko ang mga roles na i-accept ko para sa kanila lalo na magkasabay.  

Sundan ang Part II

Alden Richards sa Alaala: A Martial Law Special

Gusto mo bang mapanood ang isang Alden Richards kung paano niya hamunin ang kanyang acting prowess sa isang malalim na istorya? Ang tinaguring Pambansang Bae sa GMA News and  Public Affairs’ Alaala: A Martial Law Special. Mapapanood din ito sa North America (September 23) and Asia Pacific, Middle East, North Africa, and Europe) sa GMA Pinoy TV.

Commend kay Alden Richards

Lalo na sa supporter ni Alden, better to check out how he tries to evolve as an actor in doing off-beat meaty project like Alaala: A Martial Law Special.  It’s true that a love team makes a young star become popular and bankable. But in my opinion, in terms of artistry you need also to do variety of roles and works to widen your scope. It’s proven din naman sa ibang actors na nagtagal sa industry even after the peak of their love teams. 

In fairness to Alden even before and now with AlDub’s phenomenon, he's open to do unconventional projects. In 2014, he did Carmela opposite Marian Rivera and another GMA News and Public Affairs’ docu-drama Ilustrado which is about Jose Rizal. 

“Physically, psychologically, emotionally, mentally—mahirap ‘yung role. I’ve never been tortured in any of my roles when I was doing projects with soaps and movies,” pahayag ni Alden na kilala rin bilang half ng AlDub love team sa kanyang role short docu-film.

Doing solo projects doesn’t mean preparing to break free ha. We all know that his team up with Maine Mendoza gives exciting new level for his showbiz career. They’re effective performers and hosts- they both spread good vibes together na napanood din sa big screen My Bebe Love aside sa Eat Bulaga at Destined To Love You. 

Special short docu-film of GMA News and Public Affairs

Sa Alaala: A Martial Law Special ay gagampanan ni Alden ang isang student –activist noong panahon ng Martial Law na si Bonifacio Ilagan. Sa hindi pa nakakakilala ay totoong tao ay na isa ngayong award-winning screenwriter. Itinaon sa ika-45 anibersaryo  ng martial law declaration ang  special film drama-documentary ng kanyang buhay na siya rin mismo ang sumulat.

Samantala, kasama rin niya sa palabas si Rocco Nacino  na ang karakter na ipo-portray ay ang editor-journalist na si Pete Lacaba. Si Pete at Boni ay magkasama at parehong may istorya sa umano’y masalimuot na napagdaanan nila noong panahon na iyon.  Bahagi rin ng cast sa docu-film na ito sina Bianca Umali at Gina Alajar.

Laman din ng short film na ito ang panayam sa iba pang personalidad na magbabahagi pa ng kanilang opinyon at karanasan noong Martial Law. Kasama na rito si JC Mijares-Gurango na nagsabi ng nalalaman ng kanyang lola Primitivo Mijares lalo na sa umano’y “conjugal dictatorship.” Ang salaysay ni Kim Rodrigo (anak ni Sen. Soc Rodrigo) sa laban ng oposisyon kontra sa diktatorya.

At this time that watching a film is sort of expensive and it’s very rare to see docu-films (like Sunday Beauty Queen), better to watch this special. It’s cool for students, not only for historical value, but also for film study.  The attack for true-to-life accounts and for very sensitive historical issues like this is different.  It’s also good thing also that GMA News and Public Affairs does docu-dramas, it’s both informative and entertaining for diverse types of audience.

Ang Alaala: A Martial Law Special ay unang ipinalabas sa noong September 17 sa GMA News channel 11.

Mabuhay!