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

Movie Review: Vince and Kath and James

What if Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto won the best actor and the best actress trophies in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival Awards Night because of their portrayals in Vince and Kath and James?  I guess that’s really remarkable, hindi lamang baka ito ang first acting awards nila o dahil bata sila, kundi dahil oo mahuhusay na artista at pelikula ang kanilang nakalaban.

The weak sides of Vince and Kath and James

Actually wala naman akong halos makitang flaws sa kaisa-sang movie na produced by a major film outfit (Star Cinema) na ito sa 2016 MMFF.  In fact, tama nga iyong suggestion ng friend ko na mahirap din naman paglaba-labanin ang acting ng mga artista na nasa magkakaibang genre. Dapat magkaiba ang nanalo sa best actress sa comedy,  drama, at musical.

·         It has the usual rom-com formula – Naiiba ang VKJ ngayon  dahil sa variety ng klase ng mga 2016 MMFF entries.  However compare to other romantic comedy films it has a minimal chance na mag-shine especially na napaka-predictable ng story. Note:  Alam ko lang na may pinagbasehan ito (online  series Vince and Kath) pero di ko  nabasa o alam ‘yon.

·          Ronnie Alonte and Ina Raymundo – I don’t think walang edge ang characters nina Ronnie (James) at Ina (Vince’s Mom) para hayaan o 'wag nilang ibigay ang kanilang makakaya. Ang maiisip ko lang na  magandang excuse dito ay bago pa lang si Ronnie.  Si Ina magaling naman sa ibang acting  gig n’ya like sa The Millionaire’s Wife (GMA) pero dito ang napahanga n’ya lang ako na na-maintain n’ya pa rin ang kanyang seksing pangangatawan ( inggit lang hehehe). Pero sayang talaga yung roles nila dahil mahahalaga sa kabuuan ng movie. Ang bago-bago ng dating pero pagdating sa acting kanila para akong nanonood ng isang old film.  Kay Ina,  okay naman s'ya dun  sa ilang eksena n’ya with Josh sa restaurant pero the rest waley lalo na sa school.  Bigay na bigay pa naman si Joshua dun.

The strong sides of Vince and Kath and James

·         Joshua Garcia - this is just the second time na mapanood ko si Joshua. Na-introduce s’ya sa akin ng movie nina Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, ang Barcelona: A Love Untold.  Doon pa lang ay trip ko na ang acting n’ya na maloko pero kapag tinamaan ng kadramahan, maaantig ka rin.   Nadala n’ya yong ganoong feel sa character niyang si Vince in a right and effective way.  Ang kulit-kulit n’ya pero hindi siya nakakabuwiset, kundi hahanap-hanapin mo kasi iyon ang nagpapakulay ng mag-hapon mo.  Tapos kapag nalaman mo yung kwento n’ya mas mapapalapit s’ya sa  puso mo. Kasi sa askyon  at paraan n’ya ng pananalita ay parang ang lapit ng loob n’ya sa iyo.  Hindi ko alam kung ganoon talaga ang pagkakahulma sa original version ni Vince pero magaling ang portrayal dito ni Joshua.  Gusto ko ang scene n'ya sa school at nung nalaman na ni Kath yung totoo na siya ang ___ n’ya :p

By the way, may hinahambing siya kay John Lloyd Cruz.  IMHO, maaaring meron pero kurot lamang at baka sa kahawig pero mas nakikita ko s’ya as siya talaga. May potensyal itong batang ito at sa mga  male young stars na nabigyan  ng makulit na role, s'ya pa lang yung malakas ang dating sa akin.

·         Julia Barretto – ito naman ang unang pagkakataon na mapanood ko si Julia pero siempre aware ako sa background n’ya. Kung may kumukwestyon man noon sa kanyang pag-arte, hindi ko sila pinaniwalaan at paniniwalaan lalo na ngayon.  Ang kanyang pagganap bilang Kath ay hindi naman sobrang level up kumpara sa ibang young stars (pa) PERO she can deliver at ito pa lang ata ang major role na nasungkit n’ya.  Noong una medyo nahihirapan ako na tanggalin sa isipan ko na parang Claudine Barretto din. Pero bilang Kath nailalabas niya sa kanyang  pagganap na "hey, I am Julia Barretto and this is how I portray my role.  

·         I like the settings/ locations – Nakarating na ako sa Maginhawa Food Park, pero parang gusto ko na sugurin soon ang Commonwealth Food Park. Gusto ko ang arte ng #Feels Café que totoo iyon oo tsika lang sa film na ito. Gusto ko rin ang pagka-ragged sa Tessy feeds chuvaness, aura sa School façade, at talyer ng tito daw ni Kath.

      Maris Rascal -  May pagka-common din ang role ni Maris sa film.  Alam mo yung Kikay na babae na nagkataon na kaibigan na minsan kairita. Pero  sa version ni Maris at sa kanyang pagganap, ang nakakatuwa at nakakatawa. Parang  kapag nagkataon na nagkagustuhan sila ni Vince, boboto rin ako e.

·         Cool yung visual effects and cinematography - Bago kami nanood ay medyo kinondisyon ko na  baka medyo boring iyong palitan ng text.  Sorry di ko ugali ang magbasa ng text ng iba, charrot! Pero hindi naman pala, cool and artistic naman ang visual presentation kasama na ang looks, background, and graphics.