HERE’S ANOTHER INTERESTING TRIVIA ABOUT ME: I am a big Starstruck Season 1 Fan.

Yes I really am! I was one of those high school students who got hooked and thrilled with the very first reality-based artista search in the Philippines. I was one of those internet addicts who would regularly post in forums and Yahoo Groups just to keep in touch with co-fanatics. You can ask me some information about them and there is a big chance that I’d give you the right answer.

I am not really sure if you are a regular viewer of the show, but some of its popular graduates of the first batch include Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Yasmien Kurdi, Rainier Castillo, Katrina Halili, Tyron Perez and Cristine Reyes.

Although the 14 Starstruck finalists were all talented and good-looking, there’s this one girl whom I really liked among the rest. Her name is Jade Lopez.

I remember this girl wearing an orange top during her audition. It turned out to be a Batanguena named Jade Hanzel Dimapilis Lopez, who was later on introduced as Jade Lopez.

Why do I love her? During that time, I saw myself in her. She is a fighter and according to her publicity profile, she was a consistent honor student in school and she had done a number of modeling jobs too. Since she is appearing in a reality-based show, I was able to see her true persona and yes, she’s really like me LOL. Even my high school classmates agree with me. I felt bad when she was the fourth contestant to be eliminated from the show.

After the Starstruck competition, I got the chance to meet Christian Esteban, one of the male Starstruck finalists. He went to Dagupan City to meet up with the producers of a concert and my mom asked me to join her. I didn’t like Christian before because I find him irritating, but since he’s from Starstruck, I went pa rin 😛

So I met him and he’s not a bad fella at all 😛 He told me that I remind him of Jade and then I confessed that I am a big fan of Jade. I didn’t know back then that something special is about to blossom between the two of them during that time. We managed to exchange text messages until he confirmed that Jade’s going to the concert too!

During the concert night, I was literally shy to say hello to Jade. I was intimidated with her presence. I approached her and she told me that Christian mentioned me to her. Since that day, even Jade and I became good friends.  I stayed in Manila after high school graduation for a short vacation. I, together with my friend Paolo constantly met up with Jade and Christian 😛

In 2005, I attended Christian’s college graduation party in Baguio City (He graduated from University of Baguio). I saw Jade and Cristine there and they were nice to me. Wait, did I mention that I once made a fansite for Jade Lopez when I was in high school? Thanks to my good friends whom I’d rather not mention because they helped me out with the layout, domain and all the site stuff. Blogs were not yet popular back then.

Fast forward to 2008 – > I decided to stay in Manila and pursue my career. I can say that Jade and I became real good friends. From a fan to a good friend, that is. There were times wherein we’d go out together with her mom or I’ll join her in her taping for an afternoon series. I even spent my Holy Week break last 2008 in Tanauan, Batangas since I have nowhere to go that time.

Last year, Jade agreed to play the role of Eloisa in The 12th of June, my second short film. Eloisa is a virtual assistant and blogger who took a chance in meeting her first love at a certain coffee shop at The 12th of June. Jade used me as her peg like what Maire suggested. I consider this short film as an experimental one. I am happy with the feedback though 😀

We all know that almost all of Jade’s contemporaries in Starstruck are doing well in their respective showbiz careers. I can say that I admire Jade still up to this day because she’s not only a good actress, she is also a good student.

She is currently busy with her OJT. Dapat graduate na siya from her Psychology course, but she needs to fulfill her OJT duties first. Look at the pic above 😛

Personally, I would like to see Jade Lopez bloom in the big screen. She had done a number of movies, but she usually end up playing supporting roles. Her biggest movie break so far is playing the role of a rebellious daughter in the indie film Ina, Anak, Pamilya with Eula Valdez and Joel Torre. If only I have enough funds to produce a full-length film just for her to showcase her capabilities as a versatile artist, I’d do it. But since I can’t possibly do that for now (not unless someone gives me a grant? 😛 ), I want the whole world to see ‘The 12th of June’ -  a short film starring my very talented friend Jade Lopez 😀

Jade, i know you’re reading this. I will be your fan and friend forever! I am really looking forward to the day wherein you’ll shine in a full-length movie soon. Your co-Starstruck graduates may be more active than you do, but for me, you are the true survivor. You’re almost done with school, you have a very clean name and your versatility is unquestionable. You are also a sincere friend that’s why am still here with you after all these years. 😀

For the meantime, I am hoping that our first film project The 12th of June will make it big in YourIndieFilm and in the other film festivals abroad. Yey!

Please do vote for The 12th of June! All you need to do is to register and vote for the film at YourIndieFilm.com. So far, our film is the only Filipino who made it at the Top 10.Register, Watch and Vote for us and Help us win!