ABS-CBN Star Magic Celebrates Its 25th Anniversary And It Will Be A Year-Long Celebration

ABS-CBN STAR MAGIC is celebrating its silver anniversary and they had a special celebration in ASAP last Sunday, then they gave a thanksgiving party for the press with a lot of their stars in attendance. Hosted by Jolina Magdangal and Gretchen Ho, various stars gave some musical numbers during their program. First to do a dance number are Shaina Magdayao, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee and the Hashtags. Then came the singing love teams of LizQuen, KathNiel, ToMiho, BaiLona, ElNella, Sofia Andres & Diego Loyzaga, and Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte.

This was followed by a song number from hunky guys Matteo Guidicelli, Gerald Anderson, JC de Vera, Ejay Falcon, Jake Cuenca and Sam Milby. Top stars Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Jericho Rosales, Bea Alonzo, Angelica Panganiban and Jodi Sta. Maria then took center stage to be interviewed by the press. The closing number was a song from singers Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, Klarisse, KZ Tandingan, Jonah, Young JV, Matteo G. and Sam M. singing their official theme song, "Ikaw ang Magic ng Buhay Ko".


ABS-CBN Star Magic used to be called Talent Center, formed in 1992 by then VP Freddie Garcia with Mr. M (Johnny Manahan) as program director, to take care of their own stable of stars, a lot of whom were then in "Ang TV". Star Circle Batch 1 was launched with the late Rico Yan, Regine Tolentino and Victor Neri, followed by Batch 2 with Diether Ocampo, Marvin Agustin, Mylene Dizon and Patrick Garcia who starred in "Gimik". We were there when they were launched in Annabel's and Rembrandt Hotel.

The 3rd Star Circle Batch included Piolo Pascual, Kaye Abad, Paolo Contis, Cheska Garcia, Carlos Agassi, Kristopher Peralta who were introduced in the drama show "Flames". Batch 4 has Jericho Rosales, Kristine Hermosa, Carol Banawa, Nikki Valdez, Dominic Ochoa, Paula Peralejo and Julia Clarete. Batch 5 had the Koolits (John Lloyd Cruz, Marc Solis & Baron Geisler), along with Bernard Palanca, Don Laurel and Shaina Magdayao. Talent Center eventually became Star Magic and if my memory serves me right, they launched a total of 16 batches of new stars. Many of them have come and gone, some have joined their rival network, but there's no denying that some of the biggest stars now in showbiz belong to Star Magic.

It will be a year long celebration for Star Magic artists, starting with movies from LizQuen, "My Ex and Whys" and from Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino, "I'm Drunk, I Love You" that both opens on February 15. Maja also stars in the new series "Wildflower" that started on February 13, along with JC de Vera, Shaina, Carlo Aquino and Denise Laurel's "Better Half". Star Magic Tours will see Yeng Constantino, KZ Tandingan and Angeline Quinto doing a concert at Alex Theatre in L.A. on February 17 and at Pechanga Casino on San Diego on February 18.

In March, Sofia Andres, Devon Seron and Joseph Marco star in Regal's horror flick "Pwera Usog" while Piolo Pascual and Yen Santos in "Northern Lights". Jericho will do "Luck at First Sight" for Viva. Birit Queens Angelina, Klarisse and Jona will do a concert at MOA Arena on March 31. Gerald Anderson will join the L.A. Marathon on March 19 as Philippine representative, while Piolo, Matteo and Ivan Carapiet will join the annual Cebu Triathlon in August.

In April, KathNiel's new movie, "Can't Help Falling in Love" will be shown, along with their new soap, "Luna Sangre". Erik Santos will have a concert at Solaire on April7. Various Kapamilya stars will do shows with TFC, at Tampa, Florida on April 8; Vancouver, Canada on April 9 and Great American, San Francisco on April 15. Comedians Pokwang and Chokoleit will be part of "Coco X: Funtastic 4" that will do shows in Toronto on April 7, Montreal on April 8, New York on April 9, Sta. Ynez, California on April 14 and Glendale, L.A. on April 15. Don't miss all these big shows and more as part of Star Magic's 25th anniversary celebration.

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