Gina Alajar, StarStruck's Acting Mentor
Article posted November 10, 2009

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For almost every batch of 'StarStruck', Miss Gina Alajar has become an acting mentor para sa mga batch of hopefuls na dumaan sa kanya. And kung dati ay halos isang araw lang niya nakakasama ang mga 'StarStruck' aspirants per season, iba na ngayon—she'll be with the hopefuls for the whole fifteen-week run ng 'StarStruck V!' Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos provided by GMA Network.

"Natutuwa ako dahil hindi ako nakakalimutan ng StarStruck," Miss Gina reveals to us during the pictorial for StarStruck V's hosts, co-hosts and mentors. Tuloy niya, "kapag nag-iisip sila ng someone who can mentor the kids in the line of acting, ako 'yung kinukuha nila."

Aminado si Miss Gina that she's excited to mentor the new batch of hopefuls this season. "It's always nice to hone new talents. Kasi, sila naman ‘yung magiging future na mga artista natin, 'di ba?"

The new batch of StarStruck aspirants should be wary though. Miss Gina takes her role as the acting mentor seriously. More so now na hindi lang isang araw ang idadaan ng mga contestants sa kanya this season!

"It's going to be rigid now," panimula ni Miss Gina. "Kasi noon, sasabihin [ng staff], 'itong week na 'to, for acting.' Tapos a-attend lang sila ng one day acting workshop." Miss Gina tells us na mahirap rin para sa mga mentors ang pagkasyahin in one day ang lahat ng gusto nilang ituro. "Nakakataranta din 'yun."

What's more, "ni hindi mo alam kung mayroong pumapasok sa isip nila because there are so many things they have to do." Sabi nga ni Miss Gina, minsan raw, makikita pa nila na halos wala ring natutunan ang bata in the end.

"But this time, it's going to be every week." Isang buong course na nga raw ng acting class ang isang season ng StarStruck. "And of course, ganyan din 'yung sa singing nila and dancing. It's like an academy." Hence, Miss Gina tells us, that StarStruck V will really be giving a lot of opportunities para sa mga bagong aspirants. "Kumpletos rekados," ika nga niya.

What's good with the new format now, according to her, is "hindi kami nagmamadali." She adds, "I hope this time mayroong papasok sa isipan nila. And by the time na magkaroon ng finals, 'yung mga mananalo, honed na honed na honed sila."

Miss Gina tells us her goal for this batch of StarStruck winners is that kahit saan sila isabak, magagawa nila ang gustong ipagawa sa kanila. If possible, ayaw raw niyang mangangapa pa ang mga winners once they go on to their first acting projects "[that] they have to undergo some workshops again. 'Yung ganoon?"

That said, Miss Gina admits acting is a never-ending education. "Never-ending learning ‘yan." But, she clarifies, "it's always good to start prepared."

At ngayon pa lang, may bilin na si Miss Gina para sa mga makapapasok sa Final 14 ng StarStruck V:

"Gusto kong makita sa kanila 'yung seriousness sa pinasok nila; seriousness in terms of not only winning the contest, because it's fame and popularity, but seriousness on the job that they're getting into. Seriousness na kailangan nilang matutunan lahat ng kailangan nilang matutunan. ‘Yun 'yung hinahanap ko, na mas long term 'yung iniisip nila, hindi katulad ng short-term na, 'Oops! Winner lang ako nito. And then I win the prize, and settled na ako.' Dapat long term. Gaano katagal niya binabalak na magtagal sa industriyang ito? Gusto niya bang dito tumanda sa industriyang ito?"

If people think being part of Celebrity Duets would mellow Miss Gina to the plights of the StarStruck contestants—nagkakamali sila.

"What's different kasi with Celebrity Duets is that we have a career of our own already." Miss Gina says okay lang sa mga Celebrity Duets contestants na matanggal, because in the end, they have already carved a name for themselves in the industries they were already part of, even before joining the contest. "Unlike StarStruck [wherein] you will start a career.

"Make or break ‘yan." She points out that the fourteen to fifteen weeks they will be part of the show, will be their time to shine. "It may never happen again—'yung opportunity na ibinibigay [sa kanila]. So kailangan, sa umpisa pa lang, bigay todo na.

"Hindi 'yung pakita ka sa una, ningas cogon, tapos nagde-deteriorate." Dagdag pa niya, "And also, once you receive a negative comment, it shouldn't break you. Dapat yan, it would make you stronger—to be better next time."

Maibigay naman kaya ng new batch of StarStruck hopefuls ang hinahanap ni Miss Gina?

"We'll see."

StarStruck V begins this November, airing Saturdays after Pinoy Records and Sundays after Kap's Amazing Stories. StarStruck Updates air daily beginning November 16.

But you can also catch the acting mentor, Miss Gina Alajar, every Thursday nights sa SRO Cinemaserye presents Carinderia Queen from November 12 to December 3

Pag-usapan ang mga StarStruck mentors sa pinagandang iGMA Forum! Not yet a member? Register here!