Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Years after joining the first season of StarStruck as a young hopeful, Cristine Reyes now finds herself on the other side of the judging panel in a new reality artista search.

Looking back at her own journey, Cristine admitted that her experience in StarStruck was far from easy. Being part of the country's first reality-based artista search came with uncertainty, pressure, and emotional challenges.

“Siyempre, kami yung first reality show sa buong bansa, so wala tayong idea, wala kaming idea, ang lahat ng tao, kung anong mangyayari, at kung paano ba 'to,” Cristine recalled.

Because everything felt unfamiliar at the time, competition naturally took over.

“So, siyempre, ang nangyari nun, nagkaroon kami ng instinct na kalaban namin ang isa't isa. Doon pa lang, sad na, e, na kalaban namin ang isa't isa. Pero hindi, sarili mo ang kalaban mo.”

For Cristine, one of the most painful moments in her early career was being eliminated from the competition at a very young age.

“Yung pagtanggal sa akin noon, na walang bumoto, ang sakit nun. I went through it also, kinuwestiyon ko yung my worthy. Mixed emotions, of course. It was really painful going back. I was just 14 at that time.

“I believe, katulad ko rin na unang natanggal sa mga babae, it helped me to look into myself, to grow, to see what else I can do pa."

Now as a judge of a talent search show, Cristine sees herself in many of the contestants facing the same emotional highs and lows she once experienced.

“They're the same. Ganun pa lang ako nun, kung ano ang pinagdadaanan nila noon.”

But if there's one message she wants aspiring stars to remember, it's that rejection is never the end.

“Para sa akin, it's not the end. Nasa sa inyo pa rin yun kung ano ang gagawin ninyo para sa sarili n'yo. Nasa sa inyo na yung kung ite-take n'yo ito as a failure o ite-take n'yo ito as a step to grow better.”

According to Cristine, every setback can become an opportunity for growth—whether inside or outside showbiz.

“It might be in the industry or outside the industry. It might be in the corporate world or any kind of job. It's not the end. Huwag kayong panghihinaan ng loob kasi ang bata n'yo pa. Ang daming pwedeng gawin. This is just a start of your journey.”

Related gallery: StarStruck Batch 1's 20th anniversary: Where are they now?

Beyond talent and determination, Cristine also stressed the importance of authenticity in an industry often driven by trends and public perception.

Cristine confessed, "I learned it the hard way. Hindi yung kung ano ang maibibigay niya. It's yourself, kumbaga, kung ano yung ibibigay mo, at doon ka kakapitan ng mga tao dahil yun yung naka-resonate sa kanila, nakakonek sa 'yo.”

For her, audiences can always tell when someone is genuine.

“Kasi, lahat tayo ay may pinagdadaanan sa buhay. Kung ano yung pinagdadaanan mo, may mga taong kagaya mo. That's why I'm saying na be authentic. Kasi, kung manggagaya ka lang, it's not real. You can't keep up with it.”

Cristine also reflected on how easy it is for young stars to be influenced by outside voices, especially when fame begins to grow.

“Ako, bilang bata rin ako noon, minsan mapusok ka, mate-tempt ka. Kung ano lang yung ibigay sa 'yo or kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga tao around you, you will succumb to it.”

She revealed that she has made mistakes in the past by listening to advice that did not align with who she truly was.

“Ako, I learned that no, be yourself. If it doesn't suit you… If they give you advice like, 'Ito ang gawin mo para mapag-usapan ka…' It happened to me many times, pinagsisihan ko.”

Meanwhile, when it comes to handling fame, Cristine said staying grounded is especially important in an industry where it can easily cloud judgment.

“Fame can blind you, that's why you have to stay grounded. Fame can take you anywhere. Don't let it blind you lang with the worldly things.”

More than success or popularity, Cristine believes character is what ultimately matters.

“I still believe na at the end of the day, ang mananaig pa rin ay ang goodness mo sa sarili mo, at yun ang maaalala sa 'yo.”

As someone who has experienced both rejection and success, Cristine's journey serves as proof that setbacks do not define a person's future. For aspiring stars, her message is simple: "If you're famous, be thankful. But at the same time, huwag kang magbabago. Magbago ka for the better.”

Related gallery: 'Endgame': Cristine Reyes and Gio Tiongson are engaged