Every year a fresh crop of newcomers arrive on the scene determined to break out of obscurity and become the next Alden Richards or Nadine Lustre. While many of the newcomers fall short of that goal, a few faces rise and start to make a name.
Now, who will be 2017’s breakout stars? We have put together a list of six up-and-coming names that we think are going to create an interesting mark on the local showbiz scene this year.
Joshua Garcia
As the star of one of the biggest films of 2016 (Vince & Kath & James), everyone is going to be paying close attention to this young actor. Billed as the next John Lloyd Cruz, the teen actor is working his way up using his biggest advantage – his acting skill. Slowly but surely, the former PBB Teen housemate transitions from TV actor to bona fide movie star. Joshua is currently filming Bloody Crayons, a follow up to his recent movie.
Kim Domingo
For a long time, nobody knew who she was until the audience watched her regularly in Bubble Gang and a cover of a popular men’s magazine featured her sexy self. To start off a very promising year, Kim is cast as Vhong Navarro’s leading lady in the remake of Mang Kepweng. It’s her first major role in a film in eight years, not to mention her first lead role.
Gil Cuerva
Who, you may be asking? Let us introduce you to the next possible big star in television. The 21-year-old showbiz newbie is half-Spanish and he’s one of the most sought-after print and ramp male models on the local fashion scene. Gil is no stranger to the spotlight, and now all eyes are on him as the next Matteo Do in the GMA remake of My Love From the Star opposite Jennylyn Mercado.
Gabbi Garcia
The 18-year-old actress earned a place in our shortlist for 2017 breakout contenders when she joined the cast of the hit series Encantadia as Alena. Although she’s already appeared in a few Kapuso shows, it’s only recently when people started noticing the young star as the love team with Ruru Madrid also gains numbers among TV viewers.
Ronnie Alonte
It’s hard to believe that the Hashtags member was picked up by our radar, he is not in one, but in two movies last playing important roles. Both films were entries to the recently-concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. Will he be the next big leading man? That’s what we need to find out this year since his mother network is grooming him as a matinee idol. He just needs to go through a couple more acting workshops to address what he really lacks.
Elisse Joson
Her biggest break was her being cast in a fast-food commercial, which promoted the concept of welcoming change and moving forward after a heartbreak. The TVC itself went viral online and trended worldwide on Twitter. She then became a part of the “lucky” group of housemates in the reality TV series Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky Season 7 and then in the primetime TV series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. It’s just going to be a busy year for the millennials’ “hugot queen.”
