DESPITE all the difficulties of the last two years, ABS-CBN’s talent agency Star Magic is celebrating its 30th anniversary with new television programs, international collaborations, and star-studded events.
Back in 1992, then Executive Vice-President and General Manager for ABS-CBN Freddie M. Garcia, together with then Program Director Johnny Manahan, had the idea to develop talents exclusively for the network’s programs and established the Talent Center. In the same year, it launched its first project, the afternoon youth show, Ang TV.
Over the next three decades, the talent agency — renamed Star Magic — has provided workshops in acting, dance, art, script appreciation, styling, and voice production. Star Magic alumni include Angelica Panganiban, John Lloyd Cruz, Kim Chui, JC De Veyra, Jed Madela, Sarah Geronimo, Maja Salvador, and Liza Soberano.
Its active artists, who recently signed new contracts, have a number of projects lined up for 2022.
Actor Gerald Anderson will soon star in the drama series, A Family Affair, along with actor and singer Sam Milby. Anderson will also star in a film, To Russia with Love. Actor Jake Cuenca will be working in the upcoming international series Cattleya Killer. Real-life couple Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte will star in the upcoming drama series, Love in 40 Days. Meanwhile, Jolina Magdangal and Shaina Magdayao will continue to star in Magandang Buhay and FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, respectively. Zanjoe Marudo is currently in the cast of The Broken Marriage Vow, the Filipino adaptation of BBC One’s Doctor Foster.
A NEW MEDIA LANDSCAPEThis year, Star Magic looks forward to bringing talents to global events in collaboration with TFC (The Filipino Channel). It will also bring back star-studded sports events, and the Star Magic Ball red carpet event, together with ABS-CBN’s Creative Programs, Inc. (CPI).
“We are venturing into a new year. Nagbago kasi ang landscape (the landscape changed). When we were on free TV, it was so easy to come up with programs…Nagyon, iba na ang engagement (Now, engagement is different). Hindi lang sa (It’s not only on) free TV, [but also] social media,” Star Magic and ABS-CBN entertainment production head Laurenti Dyogi said at a hybrid press conference on Feb. 23.
“We will continue to evolve, grow, and make activities not only to build camaraderie among the artists, but also to build their characters and to build their skills.”
Star Magic Studio will also partner with Star Cinema, Mavx Productions, and Regal Entertainment for film projects, and Star Magic Records for music projects. The talent center’s artists are also expected to be featured and star in original content on YouTube, Kumu, and other digital platforms.
“We’re now starting a catalog shoot for the new 2022 catalog of artists. We’re going to have a new website. And we’re venturing into the international arena. We’ve asked a lot of our artists to audition in international productions,” Mr. Dyogi said. “…I see it as a possibility reaching out to a global audience.”
Within the last two years, ABS-CBN has had to deal with the difficulties posed by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, has seen the renewal of its broadcast franchise denied by a hostile Congress, and some artists have decided to venture into other pursuits.
Mr. Dyogi, however, stressed that they are focusing on talents who have stayed with them.
“The loss of the franchise gave us a lot of insight into what’s important in our lives and who are the people who is also important and who value that relationship,” Mr. Dyogi said.
“I think we’ve gone through the worst already. Exciting times are just ahead,” he said. — Michelle Anne P. Soliman