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Until now, unforgettable pa rin ang 'StarStruck' for LJ Reyes. Kung bakit—alamin natin sa article na 'to.
As one of the new co-hosts of 'StarStruck Update', LJ Reyes is getting ready to face a new challenge in her career: hosting. Pero before she does that, we take a trip down memory lane sa iba pang challenges na hinarap niya while she was still a contestant on 'StarStruck.' Text and Photos by Jason John S. Lim. Sa pictorial ng co-hosts ng StarStruck V, iGMA took LJ Reyes aside for a one-on-one interview that takes LJ back to her time during StarStruck 2 and the years afterwards. StarStruck Top 100 "Memorable sa akin 'yung namimili na sila ng Top 100," kuwento ni LJ sa amin. Why this particular instance is memorable isn't because something happened nung time na 'yun; LJ's memory of being part of the Top 100 is because of Rommel Gacho, director of StarStruck. "Niloloko ako ni Tatay Rommel about it," LJ continues. "Kasi last batch kami e; dalawa na lang yata ang kukunin from our group. Lima pa yata kami doon." Nung time na 'yun, LJ shares na nagdadasal na siya. And ‘yun daw ang dahilan kung bakit isa siya sa mga napiling Top 100 contenders. "Natatawa daw sila, so parang, 'Okay. Ganoon lang pala kayo mamili?'" Of course, LJ maintains that this is just a running joke between her and the StarStruck staff. Survivor Six Challenges have come and gone by the time na dumating si LJ sa Final Six contenders—kasama ng mga batch mates niyang sina Mike Tan at Ryza Cenon, both of whom were announced as winners of StarStruck 2. "[By that time] lahat kaming anim pagod na pagod na." LJ remembers the moment distinctly, "nandoon lang kami sa GMA, naghihintay." Dagdag niya, nagkabiruan daw sila na mag-quit na lang silang lahat at maghati-hati na lang sa prize. "Ganoon na 'yung feeling namin: kahit sino na lang manalo, okay lang!" Of course, when the eventual final judgment came, hindi rin naiwasan ni LJ na malungkot when she was proclaimed First Princess—and not the Ultimate Female Survivor. "Siyempre nalungkot ako," LJ admits. Pero, she explains, "it's a mixture of a sad and a happy moment; na, at last tapos na, and mayroon na naman kaming bagong gagawin. It's a new world out there." "Ang StarStruck, hindi naman ‘yun talaga 'yung mismong showbiz." LJ tells us that while StarStruck is a good place to learn, nothing beats experience sa pagtuturo ng mga life lessons. After the final judgment, LJ says, "doon ko na-realize na 'Oo. Tama lahat ng sinabi nila, tama lahat ng training na ginawa namin sa StarStruck." Speaking from experience Bilang part ng second batch of StarStruck graduates, malayo na rin ang nilakbay ng career ni LJ Reyes. Kaya naman, we asked her for a few words of wisdom para sa incoming batch of hopefuls. "Una sa lahat; lahat naman ng pinapayo ng mga taga-StarStruck, mga seniors like us, hindi naman ‘yun para makasama sa kanila." LJ says that if she, or any of the other StarStruck alumni would offer advice or criticisms, huwag daw sana mamasamain ng bagong batch. "Take it is as something na gusto namin na matutunan nila. Take it as a challenge." Dagdag pa niya, hindi rin daw dapat katakutan ang tanggalan sa StarStruck. "Kung mayroon mang matanggal, take it also as a challenge na, parang, kailagan mag-improve." LJ adds, "hindi naman por que hindi ikaw 'yung nanalo, hindi mo na mahahanap 'yung career na para sa 'yo. "Lahat naman tayo, iba-iba 'yung destiny natin. Iba-iba 'yung way natin para makamit ang success. God has plans for all of us." LJ continues, "be patient, be determined, work very hard and always know your priorities." Advise rin ng dalaga na humugot lagi ng inspiration from the people you're closest to. "You will survive, if you dream and believe naman talaga." Having said all of these; tinanong namin si LJ kung may babaguhin ba siya sa mga naging experience niya sa StarStruck 2. At ang sagot niya sa amin? "No. Because lahat ng dinaanan ko, the fact na hindi ako 'yung nanalo, everything became a challenge for me—all of them made me stronger, all of them made up who I am right now." Sabi pa ng dalaga, "siguro kung ako 'yung nanalo, siguro hindi ako nandito ngayon. Iba sigurong LJ 'yung kausap niyo. "It would change a lot kasi, if you change one small thing from the past. You change it and everything will be different. So masaya na ako na ganito. I am happy where I am right now. And I think I am successful in my own way." Hosting for StarStruck V Success has, indeed, brought LJ a long way. This November, she will join Mark Herras, Arci Munoz and StarStruck Update, and LJ is very excited. "I've been looking forward to a hosting job—and finally it's here!" LJ squeals. Para sa kanya, marami raw siyang puwedeng mai-impart sa bagong batch of hopefuls. "The fact na na-experience namin before 'yung same things na mae-experience nila—although, siyempre, different way na kasi iba-iba na 'yung challenges, pero same competition." LJ tells us definitely, "mas makaka-relate kami sa mga contestants this time." Excited na ba kayo for StarStruck V? Don't miss the special primer na inihanda ng StarStruck family para sa viewers and hopefuls, hosted by no other than Dingdong Dantes. Ngayong Linggo na 'yan, November 8, pagkatapos ng Kaps' Amazing Stories. Lagi kang updated sa mga ginagawa ni LJ sa Fanatxt! Just text LJ(space)ON and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for Globe, Smart, and Talk N Text, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusive for the Philippines only.) At pag-usapan si LJ, at ang nalalapit ng StarStruck V sa mas pinagandang iGMA forums! Not yet a member? Register here!