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

Review: A Love So Beautiful starring Shen Yue, Hu Yitian

The first time I saw the teaser of A Love So Beautiful (top billed by Shen Yue and Hu Yutian) I thought it looks like It Started with a Kiss of Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng.  Now that I finally finish to watch this Chinese Web Series, I can confirmed that yes, it’s similar to ISWAK, but it has different flavors that you still want to watch it.

I will not make my A Love So Beautiful Review too long. So here are the good and the bad points about this series that also features Gao Zhi Ting, Sun Ning, and Wang Zi Wei

The Good points

• Your unusual ideal girl and her lovely interest- if there’s realistic and relatable character for me in the series/ or any C-drama is Wang Zi Wei’s Lin Jing Xiao.  I like the idea that she’s not your typical honor student.  She’s strong,      almost boyish, but lovable and beautiful. I want to be like her if I am still a student.  She also represents the way young girl students express their hidden admiration and friendship with their cliques.

• The perfect in imperfection-  When it comes to characterization and acting, I like Hu Yitian portrayal of  Jiang Chen ( at some point even more from  Joe Cheng ‘s Jiang Zhi Shu) . His character/ acting brings me to his journey of being a lover to Xiao Xi and overcoming his life struggless.  Yutian gives soul to his role that you hate him, like him, want to punch him, forgive him, and love him even more.  His height is also cute for Shen Yue that sometimes I imagine their physical struggles (hahaha) because of this.

• Happy vibe of cinematography - If there’s powerful factor that makes this series looks light and happy- that's cinematography.  I watched via TV, computer, and mobile phone and the aura is still the same.  The lighting is magical, the color is dramatic, and the beauty of the settings/locations are remarkable. It even give lives to windows, rooms, and grass fields. 

In the last scene when Xiao Xi and Jiang Chen are walking hand-hand. If I am traveler or ordinary passerby, I don’t think that area is special.  But thanks to cinematography and visual effect that became cinematic.

• A sidekick/ love interest - Sun Ning’s Lu Yang is the male version of Xiao Xi and Yuan Xi. But Lu Yang is not only extra especial because of that. Sun Ning’s portrayal is cute, consistent, and believable lover. You will definitely fall in love with him in the end.

• The light long love story - Overall I am satisfied with the story of A Love So Beautiful. If there loopholes they are not too many and too distracting to knock down the entire series. In fact, this is the anchor to make every part of the show so appealing. 

Yes this is the story of ordinary girl who meets handsome intelligent boy again.  But hey, Jiang Chen is not perfect and rich.  If you’re not into someone like him or he’s not handsome for you, he’s actually very ordinary. But since she’s the love interest of Xiao Xi, whatever good traits he has become so cool.  They actually complement each other and projected a story you can't resist.

• The music is also enchanting especially the OBB

Here the cool English version/interpretation (that I saw so far) of the OST " I like You So Much, You'll Know It" 

• The strong points of Xiao Xi/ Shen Yue as the lead actress. Pardon me if I am obviously a fan of Ariel Lin and It started with a Kiss (actually more on They Kiss Again). But I can say that Shen Yue and Xioa Xi has strong points too, especially given the idea that the actress is a neophyte to begin with.
• She’s convincing as someone who should be weak, slow, and desperate over her love interest.   She impressively embodies Xiao Xi (but not all the time). So with this, I want to see her in Meteor Garden version 2.0.
• She’s cute and bubbly.   Her beauty is refreshingly unique and  youthful. She can also easily transform from old to young Xiao Xi and vice versa.

Bad Points

•          Woke up like cheesy. I think as a TV star and actress, Shen Yue (Chen Xiao Xi) has potentials to become even more popular in Asia. But like other new stars,  she has to be insatiable in learnings to hone her acting skills. It's good if a director who handles her is an "actor-director," but based on different Asian dramas I already saw there are only few. Thus, she needs to do self study especially in character profiling. But  again I emphasize she's very good in A Love So Beautiful. 

I don’t particularly like her acting in the episode 23 where she woke up, walked, and hug Hu Yutian (Jiang Chen) from behind.  The acting is so artificial and cheesy. Very far from what she already delivered in other episodes.

•          Unbelievable. Gao Zhi Ting’s Wu Bo Song is another example of “a no match third wheel character.” But in fairness, I actually love the idea that Jiang Chen is good in academic, while he’s good in sport. I even agree to Chen Xiao Xi’s argument in their school debate, where she used Wu Bo Song’s story as a defense---

That academic excellence in school doesn’t automatically mean success.  Students whether good or slow in their classes can define their success in the future through hard work and skills/ talents.

                Wu Bo Song’s story is touching and properly established in the series, but I don’t why he still looks like so pathetic. This make the story so predictable.  He was supposed to put a good fight, but the visual execution and acting projected differently. He’s not believable swimming champion and popular commercial model. Is he too humble to imbibe the aura of a well-known celebrity?  I don't think so. Or is it about the budget? Probably yes. 

Jin Yuan Feng of Jiro Wang in ISWAK is an obvious no match third wheel too, but the actor delivered good acting and you will eventually sympathize with his character. It came to a point that you would wonder "what if Jiro Wang and Ariel Lin team up in new series?"

 I learned that this is the first acting chop of Gao Zhi Ting so it’s understandable. But I hope when I see his next time, he becomes better. He has attractive smile by the way, better than Hu Yutian.

• Full of boundary.  Aside from the lead characters, I like Wang Zi Wei’s Lin Jing Xiao.  Maybe that's also the reason why I gave attention to Zhang He Hao Zhen and his Dr. Li Shu role.  If Gao Zi Ting is very raw, his acting is very early 2000s.  You know the type of role and acting that dull as doll.  I saw this type of persona especially in the earliest Chinese and Taiwanese series I watched. They just talk and talk without expression at all. Good thing Lin Jing Xiao ended up with Lu Yang. Thank you! 

Another character that so cliché for me is the school headmaster/ principal- the role is overbearing and the portrayal is overacting.